ABOUT NYSX

MISSION

New York Shakespeare Exchange bridges cultural divides, starts conversations, promotes education, and brings communities together through diverse, classically-based programming that re-imagines how Shakespearean theater and poetry can impact our modern world.

Brimming with an unwavering sense of adventure, our work honors the legacy of the Bard while intersecting his poetry with today’s ever-changing social, political, and technological landscapes. From star-crossed lovers wooing across a crowded bar, to sonnets interpreted as independent film, to live productions that highlight Shakespeare’s verse in a contemporary context, our projects challenge expectations and lead us forward to continued innovation.

 

INCLUSION PLEDGE

It is central to NY Shakespeare Exchange's core values that our network of artists and patrons grows to be as diverse and vibrant as the city, country, and world we call home. We believe that identity markers should never be a barrier to enjoyment of art, and therefore aim to push back against historical norms that have left some members of our community feeling less entitled to participate in Shakespeare's legacy. We recognize that as we carry that legacy into our contemporary world, it is made more potent by inclusivity.

WE PLEDGE:

-- To make room for perspectives that have traditionally been absent from the classical stage.
-- To deploy a diversity of social, cultural, and artistic points-of-view into our programming and by doing so create more pertinent, powerful, and challenging art.
-- To expand our audience base, particularly within communities that may feel alienated by prior encounters with Shakespeare.
-- To proactively deepen the diversity of our casting pool, and to maintain a consistent pattern of inclusion in the ensembles of artists we hire.
-- To strive for more inclusion at all levels of our company: from our production teams to our intern classes to our leadership team.

NY Shakespeare Exchange expresses diversity broadly to include individuals representing varied national origins, ethnicities, religions, ages, socioeconomic strata, gender identities, and disabilities.

 

HISTORY

New York Shakespeare Exchange was founded in 2009 by Artistic Director Ross Williams. From the beginning, the organization has been focused on reaching audiences in unexpected ways. As we have grown, it has become clear that our greatest strength is the way in which our unique programming brings people together and inspires conversation. From the theatrical tightrope walked by playwright and performer Kevin Brewer in our inaugural production of his The One Man (Two Man (not quite)) Hamlet, to our most recent virtual Freestyle Lab that brought together participants from New York to New Zealand to celebrate Shakespeare and Pasifika culture, our work has pushed boundaries and gotten people to talk to each other. With the addition of ShakesBEER and The Sonnet Project, we've expanded our community and increased the reach of these conversations.

We are company whose history has been about service. Service to the art and service to the community. We continue to expand our horizons and look forward to joining with more voices as we build more conversations about today, inspired by Shakespeare.

 

OUR TEAM

CRISTINA LUNDY -- Artistic Director

NYSX Leadership Council
A group of Artist/Producers working to change the way in which NYSX develops and delivers our programs. Committed to creative exploration and engaging with diverse stories.

2021 Council: ANASEINI KATOA, ANNA SNAPP, CHRISTINE BRUNO, JEN CURFMAN, JESSICA BAUMAN, LIZ THALER, SAM LEICHTER, and SARAH KINSEY (read their bios)

 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The NYSX Board of Directors provides oversight and guidance for the company and facilitates business development and financial solvency. To inquire about open seats and board participation contact Artistic Director, Cristina Lundy at [email protected].

Ross Williams, Founder and Board President
Cristina Lundy
Shane Breaux