Root us in the LES
Root Us in the LES, is a capital campaign wild project launched in March 2022 to acquire the building on E. 3rd St. in the East Village which is home to our 89-seat theater, gallery, and the home base for the artists and resident theater companies we serve. It’s a campaign to forever lay the foundation for the next generation of artists. We’re inspired by New York’s past, it’s standing in history as a cultural beacon and incubator. Through the changes, turmoil and resiliency in our city, the Covid-19 shutdown, and the ongoing process of recovery, our mission to serve LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC artists of New York City remains. This campaign will ensure that our commitment to New York’s artists remains for many years to come.
The Goal
Our goal is to raise $5,000,000 through federal, state, local, community and foundation resources. The urgency of the campaign is real, and we will need everyone’s help to meet the goal.
So far
The campaign is just over a year old and we know this will be a process that will take time. However, we’re grateful for the support we’ve received so far. Last year, we were awarded a $1,000,000 grant from former Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney and a $250,000 grant from the LoCAP fund via NYS Senator Brian Kavanaugh’s office, helping to propel the campaign forward. We still have a lot of work to do and we need your help!
Support the Campaign
We need the support of our community to reach our goal. Please consider a one-time or annual donation to Root Us in the LES.
Why you should support the campaign
Many of us know the story. Over the past twenty years, many small venues have been sold, forced to close, or just couldn’t keep up with the rising cost of rent, forever changing the landscape we once knew. Many of our favorite ‘downtown’ spaces have been lost. New York has always been a place where new artists could develop their work and thrive in a supportive environment. wild project remains committed to ensuring that NYC remains a city where emerging, independent, underrepresented, downtown artists have a home – to work, develop, play, show their work, and launch careers.
Our inaugural MainStage production, F*ck7thGrade, a queer musical memoir with songs written and performed by Jill Sobule, book by Liza Birkenmeier, and directed by Lisa Peterson, which debuted in October 2022 received a 2023 Drama Desk nomination for Outstanding Musical! We’re thrilled to announce that F*ck7thGrade will return for an annual residency beginning in 2024!
Over the years we’ve helped build a fellowship of artists that includes Cyrus Aaron, Heather Litteer, Manning Jordan, activist Cecilia Gentili, Angela Di Carlo, Kim Katzberg, and we’re proud to be the home to Resident Companies, Clubbed Thumb, Fresh Fruit Festival, Thirdwing, and FRIGID New York. We’re working to solidify our home in the heart of the East Village.
Our Work in the Community
In 2023 we are introducing the Lights Up on Theater Program a community partnership with the Educational Alliance that will bring theater education workshops to local 5th Grade students in July and August. We believe that supporting future dreams will make theater’s days ahead stronger. In the fall, we’re launching Artists Writes a brand new initiative in partnership with the Osborne Association that will bring arts workshops to persons returning from incarceration.