The Ensemble Studio Theatre

Curt Dempster, Founder and Artistic Director

The Ensemble Studio Theatre is a not-for-profit developmental theatre founded in 1972 with two primary goals: to nurture individual theatre artists, and to develop new American plays.

Under the guidance of founder and Artistic Director Curt Dempster, the theatre's membership has grown from a core of 20 artists to a flourishing community of nearly 450 theatre artists of the highest caliber. Among them are winners of accolades and higher awards including Pulitzer Prizes, Oscars, Tonys, Emmys, and Obies. EST is a lifelong artistic home for its member playwrights, directors, actors, designers, technical personnel, and administrators.

Each year, the Ensemble produces over 300 projects, including readings, staged readings and fully produced mainstage full-lengths. EST is currently running The Sloan Project and is continuing to award commissions for its First Light Festival this year.

EST's Annual Marathon of One-Act Plays has been widely credited for reviving the one-act, inspiring many similar festivals across the country. The Ensemble’s Literary Department remains dedicated to accepting unsolicited scripts and giving an opportunity to new playwrights.

The Ensemble Studio Theatre Institute for Professional Training offers classes in acting, directing and playwrighting. The Summer Conference offers classes, workshops, readings and residences at the Lexington Center for the Arts in the Catskill Mountains of New York which EST recently purchased to provide a year-round retreat for artists.

The Ensemble Studio Theatre has had a prolific and energetic history, generating more than 3000 full-length plays which have been produced at more than 360 theatres across the United States.

For more information feel free to contact our staff or email webmaster@ensemblestudiotheatre.org