OUR History
1700s
The land on which the theatre is situated was part of the Richmond Hill Estate. That was Aaron Burr’s famous estate where George Washington was headquartered for The Battle of Manhattan.
1807
After his famous duel across the river, Aaron Burr was forced to vacate this land - making it available for purchase by John Jacob Astor.
1826
The building situated on the lot 15 Vandam Street was constructed.
1880s
Tammany Hall Democrats took over 15 Vandam Street to use as their Democratic Party social quarters.
1900
Huron Club is created. Tammany Hall’s District One Headquarters.
1918
“Battery” Dan Finn and Mayor ‘Beau James’ Walker used 15 Vandam as residential quarters.
1922
The upstairs was converted into a theatre and speaking hall. The downstairs was used as a speakeasy bar during Prohibition.
1963
Edward Albee took over the building and converted it into The South Village Theatre.
1970s
Used as an incubator and performance house for Edward Albee’s Playwrights’ Unit which fostered playwrights like Sam Shephard, Leroi Jones, and Lanford Wilson.
2004
Darren Lee Cole took over the lease on SoHo Playhouse reviving an Off-Broadway tradition.
PRESENT
Iconic Off-Broadway theatre for local and international artists to share their messages with the world. Working on a symbiosis between stage and digital to keep Off-Broadway alive.