The 14Y Theater, League of Independent Theater, and IndieSpace are pleased to collaborate and host a series of events celebrating our community and its work from June 26 through July 1.

In 2005 and 2008, Martin Denton of the NY Theatre Experience hosted two widely attended convocations, bringing together the NYC Off-Off Broadway Theater community – Events that along with other community organizers and organizations, such as the New York Innovative Theater Awards (created by Shay Gines, Jason Bowcutt and Nick Micozzi), helped redefine and brand the indie theater movement in New York City in the early to mid 2000s. Out of these convocations and organizations, the League of Independent Theater was born, along with the seeds of what turned into Indie Theater Week and a ground swell for a more unified “downtown” theater community.

New York Independent Theater Awards
An Honorary Awards Ceremony

Monday, June 26 | 7:00 – 10:00 PM 
League of Independent Theater/NYITA Event   
Location: Brooklyn Art Haus, 24 Marcy Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11211 

Purchase tickets here.

Follow along on social @indietheaterleague  

On June 26th, we’ll gather to applaud the tremendous resilience, boundless creativity, and enduring passion of Independent Theater Artists. During the party, Honorary Awards will be presented to outstanding contributors to our field, all nominated by their peers. We will toast the honorees and then dance the night away!

Featuring performances by the incomparable Comedian and Actress Shalewa Sharpe; Physical Comedian, Clown, Dancer and Actor Mariko Iwasa; the multi-talented Michael Michelle Lynch; and an original song by actor/singer/songwriter Joanna Parson.

This year’s honorees include:

• Indie Theater Champion Award – Chisa Hutchinson
• Outstanding Stage Manager Award – Heather Olmstead
• Ellen Stewart Award – Kelley Nicole Girod
• Caffe Cino Fellowship Award – Brownstone Steps Entertainment
• Artistic Achievement Award – Everett Quinton, accepted by Mary Quinton

Our honorary awards party is co-sponsored by Brooklyn Art Haus: a brand new, state-of-the-art performance venue and café opening June 2023 in Williamsburg, Brooklyn! The venue features an all-day cafe with a gallery, lounge, rehearsal studios, bar and kitchen. Be sure to arrive early for delicious food and drink served by Café des Artists, with a menu created by Executive Chef Naama Tamir.

ASL interpretation provided by Inclusive Communication Services.

Tickets are available for FREE in-person, as well as virtual (streamed HERE via YouTube). Donations of $25 and above are encouraged to continue the important work of the League of Independent Theater, especially in producing this exciting event.

Indie Theater Convocation & 14Y Theater Open House
Hosted by the 14Y Theater, in collaboration with IndieSpace and League of Independent Theater

Tuesday, June 27 | 7:00 – 9:00 PM
Location: 14Y Theater

Click here for FREE tickets.

In a “post-Pandemic” landscape, along with the recent announcements of several beloved venues closing or changing hands, the Public Theater putting “Under the Radar” on open ended hiatus, along with the absence of numerous legacy theater festivals and lack of publication, reviews and listing support from media outlets—a dialogue is vital to help reconnect the voices of our Indie Theater Community and “downtown/indie/small venue” arts landscape.

We invite all NYC based indie theater makers, venues, institutions and concerned community members to join us for an evening of solution-minded, unifying conversation. We hope that this will be the first of an ongoing series of dialogue and listening sessions as a community to help roadmap the models in which we need and want to work from moving forward.

Light refreshments are to be served, along with a moderated short panel and then open floor dialogue.

Accessibility
The 14Y is wheelchair accessible and has an elevator to the theatre level. The building also has an ADA compliant, gender-neutral restroom.  Fifty percent of the chairs in the 14Y Theater are armless. Masks are optional. There will be eating and drinking, so guests will likely not be masked for the entire event. There will be vegetarian and vegan options available for food. Non-alcoholic drinks are available, and a donation-based bar for wine will also be available.  Please inform us of any additional accommodation needs (i.e., ASL, translation, lighting or sensory adaptions, different furniture, etc.) at least seven days prior to the event so we can do our best to meet your needs.

Please contact Akia Squitieri, 14Y’s Director of Arts + Culture, at akiasquitieri@14streety.org if you have suggestions or questions about this event.

IndieSpace Anniversary Celebration

Wednesday, June 28 | 6:30 – 9:30 PM 
Location: Culture Lab LIC, 5-25 46th Ave, Queens, NY, 11101

Purchase tickets here. (Includes food and one drink ticket!)

IndieSpace invites you to celebrate their first year as a combined organization with the Indie Theater Fund. They are hosting a super fun and casual Anniversary Shindig on Wednesday, June 28, from 6:30 – 9:30 PM at Culture Lab LIC.

You can RSVP and get your tickets here.
Tickets are $15 and include pizza, sides, dessert, one drink ticket, and a night of fun with the indie theater community.

There will be a cash bar available to purchase additional beer, wine, or soft drinks.

The event will have the following:

• Artist Scooter LaForge is creating a live community collage commemorating our ‘Paper’ Anniversary
• Music from the Brass Queens
• Artists from The Muse
• A flash tattoo artist
• A crowd-sourced music playlist – please share a favorite song to add to the playlist
• And we’ll have other print-making, party games, and lovely people celebrating indie theater!

Accessibility
Culture Lab LIC is wheelchair accessible and has a ramp for building access as well as curb cuts. The building also has an ADA compliant, gender-neutral restroom.  All the chairs at the venue are armless. The HVAC system is new and has MERV filtration, the ceilings are over 20 feet and we will have a garage door open for air circulation. Masks are optional. There will be eating and drinking, so guests will likely not be masked for the entire event. There will be vegetarian and vegan options available for food. Alcohol will be served; non-alcoholic drinks are available. ASL will be provided by Inclusive Communication Services. Please inform us of any additional accommodation needed (i.e., ASL companion, different furniture etc.) at least seven days prior to the event so we can be sure to meet your needs.

Indie Theatre Week Pool Party!  

Saturday, July 1 | 5:00 – 8:00 PM 
Location: 14Y Pool, located in the 14th Street Y

Click here for FREE tickets. Donations of $10 or more are encouraged to help cover the cost of the event.  
Tickets are required, and anyone under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.  

Kick off the July 4th weekend and close out Indie Theater Week by splashing into a retro-style pool party at the 14Y! Join us for music, floats, pool games and fun!

All guest are required to register in advance for this exciting event. Please note that swim caps and proper swim attire are required for pool entry. Guests will have access to the 14Y locker rooms. Please bring your own towels and locks.

For more information, please review 14Y pool policies here: Aquatics FAQ & Policies