MISSION
Epic Theatre Ensemble is a company of artists and activists dedicated to creating theatrical events Off-Broadway and in the NYC Public Schools that inspire vital dialogue about social, ethical, and political issues.
THE WAY WE WORK
We are a company of bridge builders. Our artists wear many hats and by working Off-Broadway, in our Arts-In-Education residencies, and in our community programs, we establish a human connection between our stages, our schools, and our society. It is this dynamic of “that actor is my teacher”, “that writer is my mentor”, that we believe will spark a greater sense of inclusion in the theatre and help build more diverse and engaged audiences Off-Broadway and beyond.
We are a company of citizens. We empower voices and nurture citizenship by producing socially-minded plays and connecting these plays to ground-breaking, fully-integrated artist residencies in numerous NYC Public Schools. In response, our students create their own new plays and adaptations that we share with their classmates, teachers, administrators, families, neighbors, and our Off-Broadway audiences.
We are a company of theatre-makers. We originate, develop, nurture, and produce plays that make you sit up, think, laugh, shout, and make you want to take action.
We are a company of advocates. We champion the central role of the arts in a democracy by utilizing theatrical participation to foster dialogue on the complex relationships between individuals and their society.
HISTORY
Winner of the 2009 Coming Up Taller Award, as well as OBIE, Lucille Lortel, Outer Critics, and OTTO Awards, Epic’s first official day of operations was September 11, 2001. Rather than be deterred by world events, Epic’s Founders were galvanized to work even harder to create a company that embraces theatre and theatre-artists as unique instruments for empowering diverse voices, fostering public dialogue, and inspiring social change.