The 13th Street Repertory Company in an Underground Railroad Townhouse in Greenwich Village

The 13th Street Repertory Company located at 50 West 13th Street

In our ever changing city, there are increasingly few places that we can say have stayed the same. At The 13th Street Repertory Company, artistic director Edith O’Hara has been doing just that since she moved to New York from Idaho in 1972.  Constructed in the late 1700’s, the townhouse that houses the Company has a history as an underground railroad site, with a trap door in the basement floor.

After several incarnations, Edith gave this space new life when she rented the space and opened the doors in 1972 with a view towards creating a place for actors, directors, playwrights and technicians to develop their craft in a supportive environment.

Entrance to The 13th Street Repertory Company on the lower level

There are five to seven shows weekly including the off-off Broadway play “Line” by Israel Horovitz, children’s performances, classes, internships, available rental space and a playwright’s corner – receiving and reviewing plays to be considered for production.

Edith, who will be 96 in February, lives in one of the upper floors of the townhouse and the theatre is in the basement. She was under threat of eviction for many years but in recent years an agreement was reached which will allow her to continue the Company at its current location and remain in her home.  We’re looking forward to seeing “Line”, her longest running play, now in its 40th year.

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