Mission

A HOME FOR STORYTELLERS. A SPACE FOR ALL. Signature Theatre offers an immersive journey through a playwright’s body of work to theatregoers seeking intimate human connection and extraordinary cultural experiences.

HISTORY AND VISION

James Houghton founded Signature Theatre in 1991, inspired by working as an actor with playwright Romulus Linney, who would be Signature’s first resident playwright. Signature quickly became known for devoting each season to one living playwright, with multiple productions representing a body of work.

The theater has since expanded from a black box downtown to a state-of-the-art, Frank Gehry-designed multi-venue space on West 42 Street, and to three residency programs that have featured over 30 playwrights and counting. Now led by Interim Artistic Director Beth Whitaker and Executive Director Timothy J. McClimon, Signature’s artists have received more than 100 awards, including the first New York City Regional Theater Tony Award in 2014.

Houghton’s vision did not just encompass artists – he was also dedicated to making theater available to all who wish to enjoy it. In 2005, Signature launched what is now the “Signature Access” program to provide theatergoers, both frequent and new, with affordable access to the performing arts.

honoring paige evans

Artistic Director Paige Evans, led the company from 2016-2024, through the transition from Founder James Houghton and the COVID-19 pandemic. Paige produced eight seasons of award-winning shows and brought gifted writers to Signature for its distinctive residencies, including Melis Aker, Stephen Adly Guirgis, Samuel D. Hunter, Dave Malloy (Signature’s first musical theater writer), Dominique Morisseau, Lynn Nottage, Sarah Ruhl, Anna Deavere Smith, Lauren Yee and The Mad Ones. She also launched several new artistic programs, including an Education Program for high school and college students, SigSpace lobby programming and the LaunchPad Residency for early career writers from historically underrepresented communities. Signature Theatre staff and artists thank Paige for her service during her eight years of leadership.

Our
Playwrights
and
Residencies

We offer the space and support for artists and audiences to flourish artistically. Our playwright-in-residence programs foster creative growth and discovery. Our programming offers audiences a creative outlet and human connection. And our physical space is a hub of inspiration and collaboration. We harness our collective creativity to fuel our community.

Edward Albee • Annie Baker • Lee Blessing • Martha Clarke • Will Eno • Horton Foote • María Irene Fornés • Athol Fugard • John Guare • Stephen Adly Guirgis • A.R. Gurney • Katori Hall • Quiara Alegría Hudes • Samuel D. Hunter • David Henry Hwang • Bill Irwin • Branden Jacobs-Jenkins • Adrienne Kennedy • Tony Kushner • Romulus Linney • Kenneth Lonergan • Dave Malloy • Charles Mee • Arthur Miller • Dominique Morisseau • Lynn Nottage • Suzan-Lori Parks • Sarah Ruhl • Sam Shepard • Anna Deavere Smith • Regina Taylor • Paula Vogel • Naomi Wallace • August Wilson • Lanford Wilson • Lauren Yee • The Mad Ones • Members of the historic Negro Ensemble Company: Charles Fuller, Leslie Lee, and Samm-Art Williams

LEARN MORE

our
community

We make an extended commitment to a playwright’s body of work, delivering an intimate journey into the playwright’s singular vision through a series of plays. Through our programming and events, we commit to engaging with our creative community. Our loyalty and dedication to our partners and productions drives our long-term approach.

our
space

We open our space to all.

We offer an artistic home for all and we invite everyone in. Our physical space — The Pershing Square Signature Center — is a place for community and connection. We open doors for up-and-coming playwrights. And our affordable ticketing programs make theater accessible to all. Our inclusive and welcoming mindset guides all our programs and communications.

Signature Access MEmbership

A Generation of access

A major barrier to cultural participation is cost, and the Signature Access (formerly known as the Signature Ticket Initiative: A Generation of Access) seeks to mitigate this obstacle. With the support of Signature Access partner and donor contributions, subsidized tickets are made available for every production.