Inspired by public libraries, Joe Papp made it his mission to have theater be accessible to the public. “I just don’t do shows,” he said. “They must have meaning.”
Written Features
Video Features
Clip | When Joe Papp asked Meryl Streep to take over the theater
Clip | How Joe Papp turned a dilapidated building into The Public Theater
Clip | The origins of Shakespeare in the Park
Clip | Representation in theater was important to Joe Papp
Clip | Why Joe Papp thinks the theater should be free for all of us
TRANSCRIPT
- He wanted the theater to be as public as the library was.
And he said, if the library had not been public, he would never have discovered Shakespeare.
- The theater was his pen.
It was the means by which he wrote his commentary on what was going on in the society.
And we were the ink.
(upbeat music) - He felt that his theater could lead an army, that he could fight the good fight, that he could put his theater on a tank and lead a division.
- I must do something that has some value.
I can't just, can't be in show business.
I just don't do shows. They must have meaning.
