NYC Arts: The Complete Guide to Art and Culture

For more than a decade, Downtown Art has been led by Ryan Gilliam, a director, playwright and experienced producer. Every season, Ryan works with a repertory company of 35-50 teens (ages 12-19) who are selected through audition; once accepted into the company, participation is free.

Each company member is an actor or playwright, yet each also works as a staff member on administrative projects and backstage crews. Downtown Art produces a public performance season each year which includes two to four full productions.

For the past 17 years, Downtown Art has been housed on East 4th Street between Second Avenue and the Bowery. In 2009, Downtown Art took on a new challenge: being without its own space while renovations are completed at it future home at 70 East 4th Street (estimated spring 2012 completion date).  Until then, Downtown Art will be rehearsing and performing in a number of different locations, including outdoors on its lot at 19 East 3rd Street and at various rehearsal studios on East 4th Street.

• Directions: Subway: 6 to Astor Place. Walk to Third Avenue, turn right and turn left on East 4th Street.