Theater Company | New York | American Bard Theater Company

top of page

Welcome to American Bard Theater Company

COMING January 2025 to

American Bard's next fully staged production

59E59 THEATERS - BLACK (1).png

A quirky, heartfelt new play by Robin Rice that features New York City as its backdrop.

Directed by Basil Rodericks

PeckingOrderPhoto for website.jpg

CAST: (Top down) Laura Lee Botsacos*, Heather Abrado, Steven Peacock Jacoby

(across bottom from Right)

Caroline Portante, Rohana Kenin*, Nicholas James Reilly*, Joy Marr *

*Denotes members of AEA

TICKETS On Sale Now!

DISCOUNT CODES:

Use SENIOR25 or STUDENT25
at the 59E59 Box Office or online at check out.

CLICK HERE for TICKET information & to purchase

THEMACHINE_poster (2)_page-0001.jpg

Katie Kolher*, Steven Hauck*, Erin Gilbreth*, Playwright - Matthew Libby, Cheri Wicks*, Jamen Nanthakumar* Director - Julie Kramer

*denotes actors that are Members of AEA John Posada Photographer

Want to support live theater and our new projects in 2024 & 2025?

Please consider a tax-deductible contribution.

Your support is more vital than ever!

Yes, it's true. We are low-key sold out. There's 1 or 2 tickets available right now for *some* performances. But listen! Swipe to hear our Co-producing Artistic Director Cheri Wicks as she gives a tip on how to score a last minute seat. (calling at noon the day-of worked for some of our peeps during last year's The Sweet Spot!)

Yes, it's true. We are low-key sold out. There's 1 or 2 tickets available right now for *some* performances. But listen! Swipe to hear our Co-producing Artistic Director Cheri Wicks as she gives a tip on how to score a last minute seat. (calling at noon the day-of worked for some of our peeps during last year's The Sweet Spot!)

We got our cast/creatives from last year's The Sweet Spot together last night for a little catch up - the visit went nearly 5 hours and we only got ONE picture...and it's blurry. 😂 We had a good time. Love these folks!

We got our cast/creatives from last year's The Sweet Spot together last night for a little catch up - the visit went nearly 5 hours and we only got ONE picture...and it's blurry. 😂 We had a good time. Love these folks!

Caught "Thistles" last night at @59E59 - ABTC alums @devbondarin (Director) and @melhousenyc (Actor) truly bringing it. 🤩

Caught "Thistles" last night at @59E59 - ABTC alums @devbondarin (Director) and @melhousenyc (Actor) truly bringing it. 🤩

Oh, you know. We like a marquee poster! 😂

We are doing a reading of Matthew Libby's play (directed by Julie Kramer) and maybe you want to come see it & tell us what you think?

rsvp: info@americanbard.org

"1998. Laney Chamberlain is an acclaimed poet-turned-professor with a severe case of writer’s block. One day, she is approached by the CEO of a tech company with a strange proposition: he wants to design an artificially intelligent computer program that will create works replicating her poetic voice – in other words, a machine that can write her poetry. This sends Laney through a journey of self-discovery, as she struggles with her identity as an artist in academia, with a tragedy in her recent past, and with the question: what does it mean to lead a creative life in an increasingly technological world?"

Oh, you know. We like a marquee poster! 😂

We are doing a reading of Matthew Libby's play (directed by Julie Kramer) and maybe you want to come see it & tell us what you think?

rsvp: info@americanbard.org

"1998. Laney Chamberlain is an acclaimed poet-turned-professor with a severe case of writer’s block. One day, she is approached by the CEO of a tech company with a strange proposition: he wants to design an artificially intelligent computer program that will create works replicating her poetic voice – in other words, a machine that can write her poetry. This sends Laney through a journey of self-discovery, as she struggles with her identity as an artist in academia, with a tragedy in her recent past, and with the question: what does it mean to lead a creative life in an increasingly technological world?"

Up next!!

Up next!!

Our sweet @rhyleewatson! We loved him as David in our remount of "Echoes in the Garden" in 2021 & we're so thrilled to see his work as Felix in "Ashes & Ink" tonight - 🤩

Our sweet @rhyleewatson! We loved him as David in our remount of "Echoes in the Garden" in 2021 & we're so thrilled to see his work as Felix in "Ashes & Ink" tonight - 🤩

celebrating @alicejankell - director of this wonderful new play by Martha Pichey tonight! @amttheater45

celebrating @alicejankell - director of this wonderful new play by Martha Pichey tonight! @amttheater45

YOU GUYS. YOU DID IT!!
Thank you for rallying around PECKING ORDER. We are fully funded & ready to rock this show!! Tickets - LINK IN BIO 🔗 @59e59

YOU GUYS. YOU DID IT!!
Thank you for rallying around PECKING ORDER. We are fully funded & ready to rock this show!! Tickets - LINK IN BIO 🔗 @59e59

WOW! We are overwhelmed by your generosity and love for artists working in independent theater! We met and surpassed our Kickstarter goal over the weekend. THANK YOU to our pledgers that put us over the finish line!! ❤️🦅 This campaign was specifically for bumping up our artist stipends and travel reimbursements by $200 per artist. It gets us ever closer to being able to offer a weekly wage (a long time dream of ours!) and IT'S BECAUSE OF YOU!! Our kickstarter is still LIVE until 6pm tonight -- 🔗LINK IN BIO 🔗-- we're only $490 away from reaching $11,000. Wow, wow, wow! Who wants to pay a hardworking artist today?! (📸: we love @adiagha_faizah - she is an alum of ABTC and recently helped us with our final PECKING ORDER workshop!)

WOW! We are overwhelmed by your generosity and love for artists working in independent theater! We met and surpassed our Kickstarter goal over the weekend. THANK YOU to our pledgers that put us over the finish line!! ❤️🦅 This campaign was specifically for bumping up our artist stipends and travel reimbursements by $200 per artist. It gets us ever closer to being able to offer a weekly wage (a long time dream of ours!) and IT'S BECAUSE OF YOU!! Our kickstarter is still LIVE until 6pm tonight -- 🔗LINK IN BIO 🔗-- we're only $490 away from reaching $11,000. Wow, wow, wow! Who wants to pay a hardworking artist today?! (📸: we love @adiagha_faizah - she is an alum of ABTC and recently helped us with our final PECKING ORDER workshop!)

Accepting Submissions ❤️🦅🎭 Backstage, Actors Access, and on our website:
https://www.americanbard.org/about-2

Accepting Submissions ❤️🦅🎭 Backstage, Actors Access, and on our website:
https://www.americanbard.org/about-2

Final workshop of PECKING ORDER! Thank you to the actors that helped us hear the play yesterday: Robert Maisonett as doorman Albert, Adiagha Faizah as his sister Rosie, DB Milliken as Albert's workmate Tony Russo, Joy Marr as May, Marianne Ferrari as Broadway star Bootsie Chestnut, Julia McGowan as real estate heiress Sorrell Soffit, and Rohanna Kenin as Rosie's "concerned" neighbor Helen Hirshkovitz. 🦅

FiVE DAYS to go on our KICKSTARTER - we are over half-way to our goal. Please help! LINK IN BIO 🔗

PECKING ORDER is playing at 59E59 Theaters from Jan 29 - Feb 15, 2025. Tickets available at www.59E59.org or www.americanbard.org Robin Rice, Playwright.
Basil Rodericks, Director.
Lee Monahan, Stage Manager.
@adiagha_faizah @juliammcgowan @dbmilliken @marianneferrari9 @rohannareyes @joymarr @robinriceplaywright @faceitfoto @itsleemonahan

Final workshop of PECKING ORDER! Thank you to the actors that helped us hear the play yesterday: Robert Maisonett as doorman Albert, Adiagha Faizah as his sister Rosie, DB Milliken as Albert's workmate Tony Russo, Joy Marr as May, Marianne Ferrari as Broadway star Bootsie Chestnut, Julia McGowan as real estate heiress Sorrell Soffit, and Rohanna Kenin as Rosie's "concerned" neighbor Helen Hirshkovitz. 🦅

FiVE DAYS to go on our KICKSTARTER - we are over half-way to our goal. Please help! LINK IN BIO 🔗

PECKING ORDER is playing at 59E59 Theaters from Jan 29 - Feb 15, 2025. Tickets available at www.59E59.org or www.americanbard.org Robin Rice, Playwright.
Basil Rodericks, Director.
Lee Monahan, Stage Manager.
@adiagha_faizah @juliammcgowan @dbmilliken @marianneferrari9 @rohannareyes @joymarr @robinriceplaywright @faceitfoto @itsleemonahan

More Kickstarter pledgers! We THANK you!! We are over half-way to our goal with ONE WEEK to go!! Please join the over 20 folks that have put in a pledge. Every amount means so much to us. LINK IN BIO 🔗 📸: L - R, Joy Marr (actor), Lee Monahan (stage manager), Robert Maisonett (actor), Robin Rice (playwright)

More Kickstarter pledgers! We THANK you!! We are over half-way to our goal with ONE WEEK to go!! Please join the over 20 folks that have put in a pledge. Every amount means so much to us. LINK IN BIO 🔗 📸: L - R, Joy Marr (actor), Lee Monahan (stage manager), Robert Maisonett (actor), Robin Rice (playwright)

Look what showed up in my mailbox yesterday. Happy Producer! So excited and proud to be a part of the @59e59 20th Anniversary Season!!

Look what showed up in my mailbox yesterday. Happy Producer! So excited and proud to be a part of the @59e59 20th Anniversary Season!!

Our Kickstarter campaign is picking up speed - THANK YOU to our latest pledgers! Please join Team Pecking Order - nearly half our budget is for paying artists! 🔗 LINK IN BIO 🦅

You can also buy tickets to the show with a Student or Senior discount code - go to www.americanbard.com for details and link to 59E59 Theaters box office!

(pictured: Heather Abrado and Ashley La Cambria lending their talents to a recent workshop of PECKING ORDER, by Robin Rice. Directed by Basil Rodericks. Thanks to The Chain Theater for the great studio space!)
@americanbard @59e59 @chaintheatrenyc @robinriceplaywright @faceitfoto
@hbrado @ashleylacambria

Our Kickstarter campaign is picking up speed - THANK YOU to our latest pledgers! Please join Team Pecking Order - nearly half our budget is for paying artists! 🔗 LINK IN BIO 🦅

You can also buy tickets to the show with a Student or Senior discount code - go to www.americanbard.com for details and link to 59E59 Theaters box office!

(pictured: Heather Abrado and Ashley La Cambria lending their talents to a recent workshop of PECKING ORDER, by Robin Rice. Directed by Basil Rodericks. Thanks to The Chain Theater for the great studio space!)
@americanbard @59e59 @chaintheatrenyc @robinriceplaywright @faceitfoto
@hbrado @ashleylacambria

THANK YOU to last week's Kickstarter supporters! 14 days to go & we want to be able to thank you, too! 🔗LINK in Bio 🎟️TICKETS to PECKING ORDER at @59e59 Box Office or www.americanbard.org (pictured here: Robert Maisonett and Valerie David in our latest workshop 🪺🦅)

THANK YOU to last week's Kickstarter supporters! 14 days to go & we want to be able to thank you, too! 🔗LINK in Bio 🎟️TICKETS to PECKING ORDER at @59e59 Box Office or www.americanbard.org (pictured here: Robert Maisonett and Valerie David in our latest workshop 🪺🦅)

These three!!! The cutest pic of Robin Rice (Playwright), Valerie David (Actor), and Basil Rodericks (Director) 😍 We did a read-through of PECKING ORDER last Thursday and Valerie lent her delightful presence as Helen Hirshkovitz -- the nosy, loveable neighbor who yells across the hall, "I'M GOIN' TO FOODTOWN. YA WANT SOMETHIN'?...YA WANT SOUP? I GOT SOUP!" 😘 This play is about connection & community. We're into it!! @robinriceplaywright @valeriedavid_pinkhulkplay @bazzact @faceitfoto @americanbard

These three!!! The cutest pic of Robin Rice (Playwright), Valerie David (Actor), and Basil Rodericks (Director) 😍 We did a read-through of PECKING ORDER last Thursday and Valerie lent her delightful presence as Helen Hirshkovitz -- the nosy, loveable neighbor who yells across the hall, "I'M GOIN' TO FOODTOWN. YA WANT SOMETHIN'?...YA WANT SOUP? I GOT SOUP!" 😘 This play is about connection & community. We're into it!! @robinriceplaywright @valeriedavid_pinkhulkplay @bazzact @faceitfoto @americanbard

The Kickstarter pledges keep rolling in - we are now ONE-THIRD funded with 21 days to go. Thank you to our latest pledgers! 💛 Join our lovefest in the nest! 🪺 Link in bio 🔗 (pictured: Director Basil Rodericks & Playwright Robin Rice) -- "PECKING ORDER deals with universal themes (haves/have nots - inclusion/exclusion) in a direct manner, but lots of comedy is woven throughout. It's a universally relevant story but also very New York.“ - Robin Rice, Playwright

The Kickstarter pledges keep rolling in - we are now ONE-THIRD funded with 21 days to go. Thank you to our latest pledgers! 💛 Join our lovefest in the nest! 🪺 Link in bio 🔗 (pictured: Director Basil Rodericks & Playwright Robin Rice) -- "PECKING ORDER deals with universal themes (haves/have nots - inclusion/exclusion) in a direct manner, but lots of comedy is woven throughout. It's a universally relevant story but also very New York.“ - Robin Rice, Playwright

Our Kickstarter campaign for Pecking Order is on until SEPTEMBER 30. Join the crew that has raised $2,225 in the past two weeks by clicking the LINK IN BIO 🔗 Thank you to our latest pledges - we appreciate you! This pic is from the curtain call of our staged reading of the show back in 2022 - Basil Rodericks & Robert Taylor giving us a taste of the JOY that Robin Rice gives us in writing of this fantastic play! 💫 Tickets for the fully staged production of PECKING ORDER (Jan 28 - Feb 15, 2025) are on sale now at @59e59 box office and thru our website!

Our Kickstarter campaign for Pecking Order is on until SEPTEMBER 30. Join the crew that has raised $2,225 in the past two weeks by clicking the LINK IN BIO 🔗 Thank you to our latest pledges - we appreciate you! This pic is from the curtain call of our staged reading of the show back in 2022 - Basil Rodericks & Robert Taylor giving us a taste of the JOY that Robin Rice gives us in writing of this fantastic play! 💫 Tickets for the fully staged production of PECKING ORDER (Jan 28 - Feb 15, 2025) are on sale now at @59e59 box office and thru our website!

Thank you to four special folks that brought us to FIFTY supporters for Pecking Order last week! And guess who's turning FIFTY this week? Our Co-Producing Artistic Director, Erin Gilbreth! 🥳 We'd love to have you join "Pecking Order Nation" - We are less than $8,000 away from being FULLY FUNDED for this show. 🔗 Link to Kickstarter campaign in bio. 🎟️ Tickets are now available thru @59e59 Box Ofiice or @americanbard website.

Thank you to four special folks that brought us to FIFTY supporters for Pecking Order last week! And guess who's turning FIFTY this week? Our Co-Producing Artistic Director, Erin Gilbreth! 🥳 We'd love to have you join "Pecking Order Nation" - We are less than $8,000 away from being FULLY FUNDED for this show. 🔗 Link to Kickstarter campaign in bio. 🎟️ Tickets are now available thru @59e59 Box Ofiice or @americanbard website.

Another "Pecking Order" workshop yesterday with actors Alyson Freidman, Robert Taylor, Kenny Johnston and Tasha Milkman. Playwright Robin Rice and Director Basil Rodericks at the helm. 🦅 Our kickstarter campaign is on til Sept 30 - we have bumped up our artist stipends and travel reimbursements to nearly 45% of our total budget. Help us reach our goal to prioritize ARTIST PAY! link in bio 🔗 Thank you. @robinriceplaywright @bazzact @faceitfoto @alyfriedman3 @tashamm9 @59e59

Another "Pecking Order" workshop yesterday with actors Alyson Freidman, Robert Taylor, Kenny Johnston and Tasha Milkman. Playwright Robin Rice and Director Basil Rodericks at the helm. 🦅 Our kickstarter campaign is on til Sept 30 - we have bumped up our artist stipends and travel reimbursements to nearly 45% of our total budget. Help us reach our goal to prioritize ARTIST PAY! link in bio 🔗 Thank you. @robinriceplaywright @bazzact @faceitfoto @alyfriedman3 @tashamm9 @59e59

This play is 🔥!! Amazing work @cezarwilliams. 👏👏👏 @59e59

This play is 🔥!! Amazing work @cezarwilliams. 👏👏👏 @59e59

A glorious 90-min rendition of The Winter's Tale with @hiptohiptheatre. Bravo, players! 🕷️🏆👶🏻🐻🌸💍❤️

A glorious 90-min rendition of The Winter's Tale with @hiptohiptheatre. Bravo, players! 🕷️🏆👶🏻🐻🌸💍❤️

Please help ABTC take it to the next level!

For our next show -- Pecking Order, by Robin Rice -- we are earmarking $14,000 of our budget for stipends and $5,350 for travel reimbursements for our artists.

That’s $19,350 in artist compensation (!!) and about 45% of our $43,000 total budget.

Our mission is to mine the text of each play we produce to discover all the nuances that help to shape the story. Our director, actors and designers work tirelessly to excavate what the language of the play is telling them and how to translate that to the stage in a way that brings the audience into the world of the play. We are inspired by their talent and dedication. At the Off-Off-Broadway level, they are truly doing it for the love of the art of theater and to enhance their skills. We want to show our appreciation and respect by providing the best compensation package that we can.

LINK TO KICKSTARTER CAMPAIGN IS IN BIO 🔗❤️🙌

Please help ABTC take it to the next level!

For our next show -- Pecking Order, by Robin Rice -- we are earmarking $14,000 of our budget for stipends and $5,350 for travel reimbursements for our artists.

That’s $19,350 in artist compensation (!!) and about 45% of our $43,000 total budget.

Our mission is to mine the text of each play we produce to discover all the nuances that help to shape the story. Our director, actors and designers work tirelessly to excavate what the language of the play is telling them and how to translate that to the stage in a way that brings the audience into the world of the play. We are inspired by their talent and dedication. At the Off-Off-Broadway level, they are truly doing it for the love of the art of theater and to enhance their skills. We want to show our appreciation and respect by providing the best compensation package that we can.

LINK TO KICKSTARTER CAMPAIGN IS IN BIO 🔗❤️🙌

IN PERSON: 59E59 Theaters Box Office

59 East 59th Street (Park/Madison)

BY PHONE: 646-892-7999 *

ONLINE: www.59e59.org *

Or go to our website in the bio link above!

*Standard service fees apply to all phone and Internet orders for non-59E59 members

IN PERSON: 59E59 Theaters Box Office

59 East 59th Street (Park/Madison)

BY PHONE: 646-892-7999 *

ONLINE: www.59e59.org *

Or go to our website in the bio link above!

*Standard service fees apply to all phone and Internet orders for non-59E59 members

You still have TWO chances to see Debbi Hobson in her one woman show at The Chain! @off_the_1_train @chaintheatrenyc @theshallowend_play

You still have TWO chances to see Debbi Hobson in her one woman show at The Chain! @off_the_1_train @chaintheatrenyc @theshallowend_play

Announcing our next production at 59E59 Theaters: PECKING ORDER, by Robin Rice. Directed by Basil Rodericks. Tickets go on sale next Tuesday, August 13. 🦅 🎭 ♥️ @59e59

Announcing our next production at 59E59 Theaters: PECKING ORDER, by Robin Rice. Directed by Basil Rodericks. Tickets go on sale next Tuesday, August 13. 🦅 🎭 ♥️ @59e59

This past weekend: at the opening of a beautiful one-act play called "IRREPARABLE." Written by Richard Garcia for the @secrettheatreny. This play tackles Black maternal and natal mortality and you have THREE more chances to see it and VOTE for it before it (🤞) advances to the next round! Don't miss it!
Directed by Okema T. Moore and starring (from L to R in 3rd pic): Adiagha Faizah, Arlene A. McGruder, Luna Sage-el, and Hollie Harper.
@okematmoore - @hollieharper5 @therealdiva @adiagha_faizah @lunasageel - Produced by @guneetksingh

This past weekend: at the opening of a beautiful one-act play called "IRREPARABLE." Written by Richard Garcia for the @secrettheatreny. This play tackles Black maternal and natal mortality and you have THREE more chances to see it and VOTE for it before it (🤞) advances to the next round! Don't miss it!
Directed by Okema T. Moore and starring (from L to R in 3rd pic): Adiagha Faizah, Arlene A. McGruder, Luna Sage-el, and Hollie Harper.
@okematmoore - @hollieharper5 @therealdiva @adiagha_faizah @lunasageel - Produced by @guneetksingh

Another fantastic workshop today with actors Alyson Reim Freidman and Apryl Higgins! Pecking Order, by Robin Rice; Directed by Basil Rodericks; Stage Managed by Lee Monahan. @alyfriedman3 @aprylanonymous @robinriceplaywright @bazzact @itsleemonahan

Another fantastic workshop today with actors Alyson Reim Freidman and Apryl Higgins! Pecking Order, by Robin Rice; Directed by Basil Rodericks; Stage Managed by Lee Monahan. @alyfriedman3 @aprylanonymous @robinriceplaywright @bazzact @itsleemonahan

A little "on camera" time this morning, talking about our next production. 👀 @transcendstreaming

A little "on camera" time this morning, talking about our next production. 👀 @transcendstreaming

Gorgeous workshop today at The Chain: Pecking Order 🪶 with SM Lee Monahan, Director Basil Rodericks, Playwright Robin Rice, Actor Anthony Naranjo and Actor Heather Abrado. Bravo, all! 📸: Cheri Wicks @chaintheatrenyc @robinriceplaywright @bazzact @itsleemonahan @tonyorngtree @hbrado

Gorgeous workshop today at The Chain: Pecking Order 🪶 with SM Lee Monahan, Director Basil Rodericks, Playwright Robin Rice, Actor Anthony Naranjo and Actor Heather Abrado. Bravo, all! 📸: Cheri Wicks @chaintheatrenyc @robinriceplaywright @bazzact @itsleemonahan @tonyorngtree @hbrado

.pro-gallery-wix-wrapper {display: block !important;} .pro-gallery-wix-wrapper .gallery-item-container {opacity: 1 !important; display: block !important;}

Follow us on Instagram

bottom of page