Barbara Pasternack has been the Artistic Director of TheaterWorksUSA since 2000, assuming that position after the company’s founder, Jay Harnick, retired. TheaterWorksUSA has led the movement for young and family audiences in New York City and across North America for over half a century, creating exceptional, transformative theatrical experiences accessible to young and family audiences in diverse communities throughout New York City and North America.
Since 1962, the 501(c)3 not-for-profit has captured the imaginations of 100 million new and veteran theatergoers with an award-winning repertoire of over 130 original plays and musicals. The company produces high-caliber, engaging theater that fosters an appreciation for the art form amongst expansive audiences, giving all generations something to enjoy. In addition, it supports creative and performing artists in their continued professional development, providing platforms for creative expression at any phase in someone’s career.
Pasternack has developed and produced almost 100 original plays and musicals, creating a critically acclaimed, diverse repertoire of family entertainment, including The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical, which ran on Broadway and is currently touring the US; the shows reach millions nationally each year, and TheaterworksUSA is an established brand, valued by educators, parents, and industry professionals.
Barbara has cultivated artistic relationships with hundreds of new and established writers, directors, designers, and performers. In addition to sitting on various professional panels, Pasternack has been a longtime Lucille Lortel Award Nominator, served on the selection committee for the Rhinebeck Writer’s Retreat, and taught at the NYU Graduate Musical Theater Writing program.
We had the opportunity to ask Ms. Pasternack about her past and plans with TheaterWorksUSA.
Why is it essential to introduce theater to young audiences?
Introducing young audiences to relevant, impactful, entertaining theatrical experiences encourages an optimistic, inclusive worldview, empathy, collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking. At a time when we all feel particularly disconnected, this communal live experience connects people. That’s part of what makes it so unique.
And, of course, fostering an appreciation for the art form amongst vast young audiences is an investment in the future of our industry. These young people will become the next generation of theatergoers, patrons, subscribers, and artists. So, capture them now, and you’ll have them for life!
Tell us your career highlights with TheaterWorksUSA.
I have been here for most of my adult life and watched cheering, parents and children laughing and crying together, exiting the theater deep in discussion. Then there was the first time I secured the rights to adapt the book Harold and the Purple Crayon. And, of course, the first full season as Artistic Director at Lortel, which included Nell Benjamin, Laurence O’Keefe, and Julia Jordan’s gorgeous musical Sarah Plain and Tall, Bathsheba Doran’s Great Expectations with Kathleen Chalfant, Anne of Green Gables by Gretchen Cryer and the late Nancy Ford, and Marcy Heisler and Zina Goldrich’s Junie B. Jones.
Those special moments have also included working with the legendary Ossie Davis and Jason Robert Brown on Paul Robeson. And then there was children’s book author Dav Pilkey’s enthusiastic standing ovation the first time he saw Kevin Del Aguila and Brad Alexander’s adaptation of Dog Man the Musical and Lin-Manuel Miranda and his son Frankie’s enthusiastic response to a run-through of the show this year. It was Frankie’s first show, and I can’t wait to invite them back to see our new adaptation of Pilkey’s Cat Kid Comic Club!
I treasure those moments of discovery when you hear or see an artist’s work for the first time and the hair on the back of your neck stands up. You know it’s unique. My most recent a-ha moment?
And, of course, The Lightning Thief: Its entire journey from Theater for Young Audiences (TYA) tour to off-Broadway hit to the national tour and finally to Broadway now is getting the opportunity to be introduced to new audiences.
What are you most excited about for the future of TheaterWorks USA?
I’m excited about current partnerships with The Apollo Theater, Orlando Reparatory Theater, La Mirada, and future ones we’re exploring with other regional and TYA theaters. We’re a national company, so having national partners and hubs makes so much sense.
I’m excited about Long Way Down premiering in The Apollo’s new Victoria Theater and finding other opportunities to produce our work in NYC. Looking ahead, we have some new projects in development-- an adaptation of Stunt Boy by Jason Reynolds and Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin. And who knows what other opportunities the future holds.
Today, Pasternack is ensuring the next generation of theater audiences by reaching diverse communities with high-quality shows at affordable prices.
For more information on TheaterWorksUSA,
visit twusa.com