The Mainstage Series presents two or three full productions of new musicals by emerging and established authors. In recent years, all have been world, American, or New York premieres. Each production typically runs seven performances per week for five weeks. Some productions have transferred to commercial Off-Broadway or Broadway runs, and many have received further productions in regional, stock, and university theatres. The York's productions have been regularly recognized with Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, OBIE, and Lucille Lortel nominations and awards. Numerous shows have been recorded as original cast albums. Directors, designers, cast, and musicians are drawn from among the best talent on and off-Broadway, whether established or new.
The Musicals in Mufti Series presents three to five concert revival readings of underappreciated Broadway musicals for 10 performances each. "Mufti" means "in everyday clothes, without all the trappings of a large production," and each show is presented script-in-hand, with minimal staging. The series has celebrated such writers as Richard Rodgers, George Abbott and Joseph Stein.
The New2NY Series presents simply-staged concert performances of new musicals, providing a stage between developmental lab and full production. Previous shows in the series have included In Transit (which ran on Broadway in 16/17 season), The Times, Larry Grossman's Compose Yourself!, and 2017's Mark Felt, Superstar and How to Be an American!
The Developmental Reading Series presents some 40 readings and workshops of new musicals by emerging and established authors throughout the year, free of charge to the public and the writers. These readings are a vital part of the writing process. Post-performance discussions are occasionally held with audiences. This series also serves as an incubator for shows to be considered for Mainstage production, thus serving the York's unique mission of taking new musicals through the complete development process to full production.
The Oscar Hammerstein Award is named in honor of the legendary lyricist and librettist who helped shape American musical theatre through his collaborations with a number of different composers and writers. The award was created in 1988 by Janet Hayes Walker, the Founding Artistic Director of The York Theatre Company, and is presented with the endorsement of the Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization and the Hammerstein family.
The Oscar Hammerstein Award Gala is the major annual fundraising event of The York, a mainstay of the Off-Broadway scene for over 45 years. Past recipients include Stephen Sondheim, Betty Comden & Adolph Green, Harold Prince, Cy Coleman, Charles Strouse, Arthur Laurents, Jerry Herman, Stephen Schwartz, Peter Stone, David Merrick, John Kander & Fred Ebb, Terrence McNally, Sir Cameron Mackintosh, Carol Channing, Tony Walton, Joseph Stein, Thomas Meehan, Jerry Bock & Sheldon Harnick, Barbara Cook, Paul Gemignani, Lynn Ahrens & Stephen Flaherty, Angela Lansbury, and most recently, Joel Grey.
Musical Theatre Training Program (MTTP) Started in 2015, the York's MTTP brings working professionals in to work with eager and dedicated theatre students. Our rigorous yet nurturing programs offer training in singing, acting and movement and often include master classes with some of New York’s top theatre artists. Programs culminate in a showcase performance on the York’s Off-Broadway stage. We currently offer a Summer Intensive for middle and high school students and a Winter Intensive for college students from across the nation.
The Internship Program invites promising university and high schools students to engage in a hands-on educational experience for ten to twenty hours per week. Students take on responsibilities in all facets of professional theatre: artistic, administrative, production, and marketing/audience services. If their school permits, students may receive academic credit.
The Volunteer Program encourages adults to help York by getting involved in various ways: by serving on the York's audience services staff, or performing administrative tasks involving the artistic, development, and marketing departments. The York's audience development policy is to offer steeply discounted or free tickets to under-served audiences, such as seniors, students, hospices, and other non-profit groups. The student ticket program also helps create the next generation of theatergoers.