5 Locations

Lower Broadway- This neighborhood was home to many Italian immigrants, and is where the first recorded Italian American playwright Da Ponte lived. It is here that he converted his home into a theater for his Columbia university students to perform his plays.

 

Elizabeth street- This is where Italian immigrant Fausto D Malzone lived. He was the creator of the first Italian theatre group named, The Italian American Amateur Dramatic Club.

 

66-68 East 4^th st-  This venue is named Turn Hall, which was the frequent venue for many Italian American amateur theatre group’s performances.

 

191 grand street-  Ernesto Rossi Music Store where actors and directors would be able to come buy scripts and sheet music. Also they would be able to purchase the Manual of Theatre Terms. This book gave advice on conducting rehearsals and producing shows .

 

291-293 bowery street-  At the time when The Italian American Amateur Dramatic Club was created this building was known as the teatro italiano. However, this was not solely a theater being that it served as a community center. One of the larger venues (seating up to 448 people) the German and French immigrant communities also made use of this building. Therefore the Italian performances were usually held on Wednesdays.