Theaterlab Wins Lottery: $25,000 Little Venue That Could Grant from IndieSpace Supports 20th Anniversary

THEATERLAB AWARDED $10,000 PER YEAR AND $5,000 IN SERVICES

As Theaterlab celebrates 20 years of serving New York City’s independent performance community, it has been selected to receive a two-year grant totaling $25,000 from IndieSpace’s Little Venue That Could Grant Program. The award includes $10,000 per year in unrestricted general operating support for two consecutive years, plus $5,000 in professional development services and access to IndieSpace’s free Advisory and Consulting program.

The unrestricted funds will allow the immigrant-founded organization, which relocated to the Garment District in 2013, to address its most urgent needs, ensuring the organization can continue to support the development and production of new work, including upcoming projects by Backstitch Artists-in-Residence Emmanuel Elpenord, Sylvia Milo, and Maria Takeuchi. The professional development services will support long-term sustainability as Theaterlab navigates its next 20 years.

CRITICAL SUPPORT FOR GARMENT DISTRICT VENUE

“The grant arrives at a time when small venues across New York City are facing rising costs and shrinking support, making flexible funding more critical than ever,” said Andy Lynn, Managing Director of Theaterlab. “We’re grateful to IndieSpace and the anonymous donor who understands the immeasurable impact this grant program will have across the five boroughs.”

INDIESPACE WELCOMES 17 VENUES INTO NEW COHORT

Theaterlab is one of 17 venues selected in this second cohort of the 2026 program, made possible by the generous support of an anonymous donor. A weighted lottery system was used to determine grantees from a pool of 62 applicants.

“We’re so grateful for the support that makes this possible, and we are excited to continue getting resources into the hands of venues that need them,” – Randi Berry, Executive Director at IndieSpace.

MORE ABOUT THEATERLAB

New York’s home for performance innovation since 2006, Theaterlab is a not-for-profit arts organization in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, dedicated to supporting NYC’s most daring artists and culture workers. Under the leadership of Founding Artistic Director Orietta Crispino and Managing Director Andy Lynn, Theaterlab creates essential space for artistic risk, serving as both an incubator for new work and a vibrant gathering place for audiences seeking transformative experiences.

Housed in a former Garment District factory and featuring three signature all-white performance spaces, Theaterlab offers a pristine creative canvas for work that defies categorization, with a distinct emphasis on amplifying diverse voices and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration. The organization is guided by a dedicated board including Jolene Noelle (St. Ann’s Warehouse) and Nicolò Sbuelz (The Juilliard School, The Metropolitan Opera).

Theaterlab’s artistic model balances full productions with vital developmental platforms. Among others, its programming includes the Theaterlab Presents season of professional productions; the First Look Series for emerging artists and companies; the Hotel New Work residency; and the Space-to-Create rental program, which hosts New York’s independent theater community for rehearsals, workshops, and readings. The theater also champions free community initiatives like Round The Block! and Every Body In The House, ensuring broad access to the arts.

Recent highlights underscore its impact: the 2025 season welcomed over 6,700 audience members to productions such as Lita Lofton’s On The Harmful Effects of Tobacco and Other Substances, Lia Romeo’s The Lucky Ones, the NNPN Rolling-World Premiere of Ariel Estrada’s Full Contact, and the New York Times-noted production of NINA by Forrest Malloy. The theater has also hosted Bessie Award-nominated artist Yoko Murakami as an artist-in-residence.

As Theaterlab celebrates its 20th anniversary season, it continues to refine its role as a cornerstone of New York City’s diverse arts ecosystem. Through deep community engagement and a steadfast commitment to the creative process, Theaterlab ensures that the city’s most innovative artists have a home to develop, present, and connect.

Today, Theaterlab stands as an indispensable laboratory for the future of performance in New York City. Support 20 more years with a gift of any amount- donate today.