Founded in Washington, D.C. in 1999, Project Y is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and community of artists, designers, and playwrights devoted to developing new work through staged readings, online video projects, workshop productions, and fully produced world premieres.
Celebrating over 10 years of creating theater in both Washington, D.C. and New York City, Project Y has an unwavering presence in the Off-Off Broadway community and was recently nominated for seven Innovative Theater Awards for their last production of THE REVIVAL and received two awards for Best Set Design (Kevin Judge) and Best Actor in a Featured Role (David Darrow).
In the spring of 1999, Project Y Theatre Company burst on the scene with a vibrancy and energy that excited audiences and critics within the community of Washington, D.C.:
“Smartest of the city’s theatre troupes.”
- Bob Mondello, N.P.R.
“…a consistently thrilling company…aim high and always hit higher…”
- The Washington CityPaper
It wasn’t long before Project Y had a reputation for successfully delivering high impact entertainment, not only to our target audience of people in their twenties and thirties, but to people of all ages and interests. 12 shows and 5 years later, we had attracted new audiences and artists and firmly cemented our reputation with the D.C. community and the press:
“…earnest, intense, and actor-driven…..always imaginative….”
- The Washington Post
“they have that kind of energy that Steppenwolf became known for. Sort of just throwing themselves headlong into the platinum”
- Jane Horowitz, “Around Town” and The Washington Post
Project Y was initially founded to last for a limited lifetime of five years. And so, after those five successful years, the Washington, D.C. wing of Project Y went on hiatus. We knew the right next step: to move away from each other and collaborate with other artists and expand our vision. And so, off we went. MFA’s were attained, time was spent abroad, and as we returned from our divergent paths, we naturally descended on the theatre capital of the world: New York City.
In the summer of 2009 we produced the NY premiere of FUBAR, by Karl Gajdusek.
“the production pulses like an all-night Ecstasy-fueled rave.”
- The New York Times
“See FUBAR if you want to experience theatrical shock and awe.”
- Backstage NY
In 2010, we produced the NY world premiere of The Revival by Samuel Brett Williams, continuing to receive critical acclaim:
“This is one of the best cast assemble for an Off-Off Broadway show in a long time, perfectly directed by Michole Biancosino…it’s certain to win over fans of good theater.”
– NY press
“What a perfect play for these times…an enormous tale and fortunate to have a cracker jack cast that is ready, willing, and more than able.”
– NY Theatre Guide
We are excited to continue to evolve as a company in 2012. Currently, our programming includes:
Staged Readings: Each year Project Y presents a themed bimonthly reading series. We present the reading in a casual setting in bars and local businesses. After the reading, we encourage our audiences to approach the artists and playwrights directly with questions and feedback.
Workshop Productions: Project Y is committed to fostering play development by providing playwrights the opportunity to see and hone their work in that space between public readings and full productions.
Online Video Projects: Each year, Project Y conducts a themed video monologue contest. Each winning monologue is filmed and uploaded to our YouTube channel. Past themes include: CONFESSIONALS and SITE/SIGHT SPECIFIC. Visit our watch and listen page to view the videos.
World Premieres: Project Y produces one full-length world premiere production each season. Past productions include: THE REVIVAL by Samuel Brett Williams (2010), FUBAR by Karl Gajdusek (2009), and LOVESICK OR THINGS THAT DON’T HAPPEN by Lia Romeo, Music by Tony Biancosino, Conceived by Michole Biancosino (2012).
