The People’s Theatre: Centro Cultural Inmigrante, a new performing arts center in Upper Manhattan, had its ribbon-cutting ceremony September 15. Tony winner Lin-Manuel Miranda was there to celebrate the opening, and Mayor Zohran Mamdani sent in well-wishes.
The center, located in Inwood at 419 West 206th Street, marks the first home for The People’s Theatre, which focuses on art created by and geared towards immigrant communities. The 19,000-square-foot center will open to the public September 19. It marks New York City’s first immigrant-centered performing arts center and the largest Latino-owned and operated performing arts institution in New York State.
“Opening the doors to The People’s Theatre: Centro Cultural Inmigrante is the realization of a dream built over many years by extraordinary partners, artists, and supporters who believed that immigrant stories deserve a permanent home,” said Mino Lora, Executive Artistic Director and Co-Founder of The People’s Theatre, in a statement. “We built this as a place for extraordinary art, but also for gathering, organizing, joy, and connection. We are deeply honored to begin this next chapter in the Uptown community that made it possible.” Lora co-founded The People’s Theatre in 2009.
The People’s Theatre’s inaugural season in its new space will begin with GUAC, a new play in Spanish and English co-written by James Clements and Manuel Oliver. Oliver performs in the work, which was created after his son, Joaquín “Guac” Oliver, was killed in the 2018 Parkland school shooting. The play runs September 25–October 10.
October 6 will be a cabaret with Robin de Jesús and Linedy Genao, When You’re Home Home: An Uptown Cabaret. October 13 will be an event with Miranda and his In the Heights co-writer Quiara Alegría Hudes. From October 17–29 will be the multilingual community production Wayfinding: Señas del Camino. The Second Annual Uptown Fall Fest will take place October 24.
“Immigrant stories have always shaped New York, but they haven’t always had a place to be told,” said Miranda in a statement. “Today is a historic day for upper Manhattan, as The People’s Theatre: Centro Cultural Inmigrante has created a home where artists and audiences can come together in community to tell their stories, share them across generations, and ensure that the immigrant experience remains a key part of the city’s cultural storybook. My family and I could not be prouder to support Mino Lora and her team’s vision for this important institution in our favorite neighborhood in the world. Bienvenido.”
The Center was the result of a $40 million capital campaign which included $26.5 million from New York City and $6.45 million from New York State. It includes four rehearsal spaces, a 208-seat theatre, a 50-seat Studio Theatre, a practice room, gallery space, lobbies, and a café. When they enter the space, visitors are greeted by Liquid Highway, a commissioned permanent mural by Dominican-American artist Scherezade Garcia.
“For years, The People’s Theatre put on shows in borrowed rooms and church basements because there was no permanent home for the arts in this neighborhood. Now there is,” said Mayor Mamdani in a statement. “This building means young people growing up nearby can walk in and see themselves reflected on stage, train as artists, and find work in this industry without leaving their own community. Congratulations to Mino Lora and everyone who spent years building toward this moment.”
Visit ThePeoplesTheatre.org.