Named for the 167 languages spoken in the world's most diverse neighborhood, Theatre 167 is a multilingual, multicultural ensemble with a 5-year history of producing innovative, emotionally vibrant new plays that explore issues of social justice and build bridges between communities. We are committed to making this work accessible and affordable to all and to sharing it with what one critic called "the most diverse theatre audience I've ever seen."
From 2010-2014, Theatre 167 created and produced The Jackson Heights Trilogy — three full-length plays written collaboratively by a totality of 18 playwrights, featuring 37 actors in 93 roles speaking 14 languages, which were presented individually at multiple venues Queens from 2010 - 2012, in Manhattan in rotating repertory and as a six-hour epic in 2013, and as an immersive installation at Queens Museum in 2014.
In 2013, Theatre 167 produced the world premiere of J. Stephen Brantley’s PIRIRA both in Queens and Off-Broadway at Manhattan’s West End Theatre. Set simultaneously in Malawi and New York, the play tackled questions of cross-cultural connection, responsibility and the challenges of activism. PIRIRA received the NY Innovative Theatre Award for Outstanding Premiere Production.
That summer we created three plays that appeared in the World's Fair Play Festival at Queens Theatre (NY Times Critics' Pick).
The following season, our "fourth trilogy play," I LIKE TO BE HERE, debuted in the Theater:Vlllage Festival at the New Ohio Theatre, and we became a resident company at the West End Theatre at the Church of St. Paul and St. Andrew and received a 2014 Randall Wreghitt Endowment grant for our production of CHURCH OF WHY NOT, inspired by that institution.
In 2015 we created and produced THE CHURCH OF WHY NOT, a collaboratively authored play inspired by a spiritually diverse pan-ecumenical institution on the upper west side that houses Christian, Jewish, and Muslim congregations as well as a homeless shelter, food pantry, numerous social services.
This fall we are premiering MOURNING SUN by Antu Yacob, a play set in Ethiopia and New York. Please support this production and help us cast a public spotlight on the devastation caused by child marriage.
Our full production history is below.
•••
2010
167 Tongues by Jenny Lyn Bader, Meny Beriro, Alvin Eng,
Steven Fechter, Jennifer Gibbs, Les Hunger, Anna Kushner,
Rehana Mirza, Suzanne Sheptock, and Stefanie Zadravec
Conceived & directed by Ari Laura Kreith
2011
You Are Now the Owner of This Suitcase by Mando Alvarado,
Jenny Lyn Bader, Barbara Cassidy, Les Hunter, Joy Tomasko,
Gary Winter, and Stefanie Zadravec
Conceived & directed by Ari Laura Kreith
2012-2013
Jackson Heights 3AM
by Jenny Lyn Bader, Meny Beriro, Alvin Eng, Steven Fechter, Jennifer Gibbs, Les Hunter, Anna Kushner, Rehana Mirza, Suzanne Sheptock, and
Stefanie Zadravec.
Conceived & directed by Ari Laura Kreith
World premiere production
January 13-February 5
Presented at P.S. 69 in Jackson Heights and at Queens Theatre in Flushing Meadows Corona Park
2013-2014
The Jackson Heights Trilogy
Three full-length plays in rotating repertory:
167 Tongues by Jenny Lyn Bader, Meny Beriro, J.Stephen Brantley,
Alvin Eng, Steven Fechter, Jennifer Gibbs, Les Hunger, Anna Kushner,
Rehana Mirza, Suzanne Sheptock, and Stefanie Zadravec
Conceived & directed by Ari Laura Kreith
You Are Now the Owner of This Suitcase by Mando Alvarado,
Jenny Lyn Bader, Barbara Cassidy, Les Hunter, Joy Tomasko,
Gary Winter, and Stefanie Zadravec
Conceived & directed by Ari Laura Kreith
Jackson Heights 3AM
by Jenny Lyn Bader, J.Stephen Brantley, Meny Beriro, Alvin Eng, Steven Fechter, Jennifer Gibbs, Les Hunter, Anna Kushner, Rehana Mirza, Suzanne Sheptock, and Stefanie Zadravec
Conceived & directed by Ari Laura Kreith
Manhattan premiere:
February 8-March 3
At 777 Theatre, 888 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY
Pirira by J.Stephen Brantley
Directed by Ari Laura Kreith
World premiere:
October 17-November 10, Chain Theatre, Long Island City, NY
Off-Broadway extension:
November 15-November 24, West End Theatre, New York, NY
2014-2015
The World’s Fair Plays
One act plays inspired by the ’39 and ’64 World’s Fairs, presented on the site of the fair itself
After the Crowds by Camilo Almonacid;
The History of Communication by Jenny Lyn Bader;
Rendezvous in Space by J.Stephen Brantley
Directed by Ari Laura Kreith
Presented in the World’s Fair Play Festival
July 18-27
Queens Theatre, Flushing Meadows Corona Park
I Like to Be Here: Jackson Heights Revisited, Or, This is a Mango
by Jenny Lyn Bader, J.Stephen Brantley, Ed Cardona, Jr., Les Hunter, Tom Miller, Melisa Tien, and Joy Tomasko
Conceived & directed by Ari Laura Kreith
Presented in the Theater:Village Festival
September 6-27, 2014
New Ohio Theatre
The Church of Why Not
by Camilo Almonacid, Jenny Lyn Bader, and J.Stephen Brantley
Conceived & directed by Ari Laura Kreith
World premiere
February 20-March 15
West End Theatre, Church of St. Paul & St. Andrew
Upcoming:
Mourning Sun
by Antu Yacob
Directed by Ari Laura Kreith
World premiere
November 5-December 6, 2015
Learn More: http://www.theatre167.org