Founded by Joseph Papp as the Shakespeare Workshop and now one of the nation’s preeminent cultural institutions, The Public is an American theater in which all the country’s voices, rhythms, and cultures converge. Under the leadership of Producer George C. Wolfe and Executive Director Mara Manus, The Public is dedicated to embracing the complexities of contemporary society and nurturing both artists and audiences, as it continues Joseph Papp's legacy of creating a place of inclusion and a forum for ideas.

The Public Theater produces new plays, musicals, productions of Shakespeare, and other classics in its headquarters on Lafayette Street (the former Astor library, which opened as The Public Theater in 1967 with the world premiere of the musical Hair) and at the Delacorte Theater, its permanent summertime home of free Shakespeare in Central Park each summer. The Public's newest performance space, Joe's Pub, has become an important venue for new work and intimate performances by musicians, spoken-word artists, and solo performers. 

In addition to its theatrical programming, The Public trains the next generation of classical performers through the Shakespeare Lab, an annual summer acting intensive. It also presents New Work Now!, a play reading series that has become a nationally recognized showcase for emerging writers and established artists.

The Public's mandate to create a theater for all New Yorkers continues to this day on stage and through its extensive outreach and education programs. Each year, over 250,000 people attend Public Theater-related productions and events at six downtown stages, including Joe's Pub, Shakespeare in Central Park and Joe's Pub in the Park. 

Public Theater productions have collectively won 38 Tony Awards, 135 Obies, 37 Drama Desk Awards, 18 Lucille Lortel Awards and 4 Pulitzer Prizes. The Public has brought 49 shows to Broadway including Sticks and Bones, That Championship Season, A Chorus Line, The Pirates of Penzance, The Tempest, Bring in 'Da Noise, Bring in 'Da Funk, On the Town, The Ride down Mt. Morgan, Topdog/Underdog, Elaine Stritch at Liberty, Take Me Out and Caroline, Or Change, to name a few. As The Public Theater approaches its 50th Anniversary Celebration beginning in the summer of 2005 with a production of A Midsummer Night's Dream, directed by George C. Wolfe, it continues to be dedicated to achieving artistic excellence and developing an American theater that is accessible and relevant to all people.