A New Stage for Immigrant Stories
The People’s Theatre: Centro Cultural Inmigrante - at 407 West 206th Street - will amplify the voices of New York City’s diverse immigrant communities and cultivate work by local artists and arts organizations.
When it opens in 2026, audiences will experience theatrical performances that center and explore the breadth of immigrant experiences represented in New York City, enjoy live music, and dance performances, film screenings, and other civic and community events. For children and families, the center will offer classes, festivals, and student matinees field trips.
People's Theatre Project will also will partner with the New York Public Library (NYPL) to provide research and literary programming that will allow community members to explore the immigrant experience through scholarship and the performing arts.
People’s Theatre Project has already surpassed the $30 million milestone towards its total capital budget of $37 million. Join us on our journey home!
Impact
As immigrants and people of color, sharing our stories, hearing our languages, and seeing our community on stage matters: it allows us to claim our place of belonging.
The first dedicated theatre in Washington Heights & Inwood, and the largest Latine-operated theater in New York State, The People’s Theatre will serve 28,000+ audience members and 300+ artists annually.
Construction is estimated to generate over $43 million in output in NYC specifically and 270 jobs. In its first five years, it is estimated to support nearly $23M in NYC economic output and 25 jobs each year, the vast majority of which are local.
new model for american theatre
New Work Development + Immigrant Stories Amplified
Immigrant youth leadership
Creativity + Communication + Advocacy
Equity & Justice for All
Community Conversations + Cultural Organizing
Giving Levels
People's Theatre Project is seeking capital support at every level. To discuss your support of this historic initiative, and to learn about naming opportunities, please contact [email protected].
$250K+
A gift at this level will build generations of immigrant leaders by supporting PTP’s Educational work. Naming opportunities include the orange and blue rehearsal studios.
$500K+
A gift at this level will be instrumental to shaping a new American model for diverse, anti-oppressive theatre. Naming opportunities include the studio theatre and upper lobby.
$1M+
A gift at this level will be catalytic to PTP’s work in advocating for a more just and equitable city. Naming opportunities at this level include leadership position endowments.
“Theater is about community, offering a space where art, culture, and identity converge. Our uptown neighborhood is more than ready to have a permanent home for its theater practitioners, to nurture and showcase countless generations of storytellers and stories to come.
Luis A. Miranda Jr. and Lin-Manuel Miranda
About "El Centro"
The center’s 19,000-square-foot space will be in a new, mixed-income, mixed-use building, developed by a joint venture of LMXD, MSquared, and Taconic Partners. Designed by the woman- and immigrant-owned architecture firm WORKac and theater and acoustics consultant Charcoalblue, the center will have a flexible midsize theater, a smaller performance space, rehearsal studios, a soundproof practice room, and gallery space.
As the first flexible theatre space north of Harlem, it will provide rehearsal and performance space, meeting a need that has been felt in the community for decades.
Project Timeline
- The People's Theatre broke ground in 2022
- The complete core and shell will be delivered by summer 2025
- The interior fitout will be complete by summer 2026
Upper Lobby
The Upper Lobby is a vibrant and inclusive space designed for accessibility. With an ADA-accessible rampatorium, it serves as an impromptu performance area where music, spoken word, drag story hour, and other artistic expressions come to life. This versatile space also features a cozy cafe, providing a welcoming atmosphere for guests to enjoy refreshments before or after an event.
Lower Lobby
The Lower Lobby is a dynamic event space where culture and creativity converge. It's the perfect setting for cocktail hours, pre-event talks, and art exhibitions. With its elegant ambiance, this area invites guests to engage with thought-provoking discussions and experience captivating art exhibitions, all while fostering a sense of community and appreciation for the performing arts.
Mainstage Theatre
Our Mainstage Theatre is a versatile and flexible space that caters to larger audiences, with retractable seating and permanent balcony accommodating anywhere from 99 to 208 patrons. This theatre adapts effortlessly to a variety of performances, ensuring that artists can stage captivating shows while offering an immersive experience to our diverse community of supporters. Whether it's a play, concert, or cultural event, the Mainstage Theatre delivers an unforgettable experience.
Studio Theatre
Our Studio Theatre is a flexible and intimate venue that seats up to 45 people. Equipped with retractable seating, it seamlessly transforms from a rehearsal studio into an intimate performance space in a matter of minutes. This adaptable setting is ideal for emerging artists to refine their craft and showcase their talents to a discerning audience.
Rehearsal Studios
The People's Theatre boasts five rehearsal studios tailored to meet the diverse needs of performers and PTP's Young Artists. Each studio features dance floors, full-length mirrors, curtains, and storage. Additionally, installed audio/visual access allows artists to enhance their practice and creative processes, ensuring that they are well-prepared to shine on stage.
Capital Project Team
WORKac
architect
Charcoalblue
theatre & acoustics consultant
Envoie Projects
project management
Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone
financing
afreeman
signage design
Shawmut Design & Construction
construction
management
Milbank
pro bono counsel
Kramer Levin
pro bono counsel
Taconic, L+M, MSquared
development partners
Indie Space
advisory services
“As the largest Latine theater in New York City and the city’s first Dominican-managed cultural institution, the People’s Theatre Project’s new home will be more than a performing arts center – it will be a tribute to the diverse artists, cultures, and communities that define our great state.
Governor Kathy Hochul
Supporters
- Governor Kathy Hochul
- New York City Council
- NYC Department of Cultural Affairs
- NYC Economic Development Corporation
- Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine
- The Miranda Family Fund
- NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital
- Howard Gilman Foundation
News Coverage
Lin-Manuel Miranda is backing a massive new performing arts center in NYC
Groundbreaking on the People's Theater in Inwood
Lin-Manuel Miranda helps People's Theatre Project break ground in Inwood
Ground broken on new Immigrant Research and Performing Arts Center in Manhattan
Comunidad inmigrante tendrá casa propia para las artes en el Ato Manhattan
Inicia construcción del People's Theatre en Manhattan
Lin-Manuel Miranda's Miranda Family Fund Pledges $1 Million Towards New Washington Heights Theatre
Governor Kathy Hochul, Lin-Manuel Miranda Celebrate Groundbreaking for The People's Theatre
Lin-Manuel Miranda Pledges $1 Million to NYC’s First Immigrant Cultural Center
NewYork-Presbyterian, the Miranda Family Fund, and Governor Kathy Hochul Celebrate the Ceremonial Groundbreaking
Groundbreaking held for new performing arts theater celebrating immigrant communities
Inician la construcción de un nuevo centro de artes escénicas en Inwood
New performing arts center to provide stage for artists in NYC’s immigrant communities
Governor Hochul Celebrates Groundbreaking for the People’s Theatre: Centro Cultural Inmigrante in Inwood
New performing arts space in Inwood by WORKac backed by Lin-Manuel Miranda
Obras para Centro Cultural Inmigrante en Inwood
Immigrant cultural center planned for People’s Theatre Project
“Our city needs this” “Nuestra ciudad lo necesita”
Op-ed | A theater uptown, at long last
NYC to Have Immigrant Research & Performing Arts Center
VIDEO: People's Theatre Project to Open Immigrant Research and Performing Arts Center
VIDEO: Construirán en Inwood Centro Cultural enfocado en teatro de y para inmigrantes
NYC Announces $15 Million Project to Create New Immigrant Research & Performing Arts Center
El Proyecto Teatro del Pueblo, un refugio para la comunidad inmigrante
