American Theatre magazine is the nation’s only general-circulation magazine devoted to theatre. Founded in 1984 by the pioneering arts service organization Theatre Communications Group, the magazine featured cowboy-hatted playwright Sam Shepard on its first cover in April of that year. Published 10 times a year, the magazine now has an estimated readership of 50,000, mostly within the theatre profession.
American Theatre covers theatrical trends and events, stage artists of every stripe, and economic and legislative developments affecting the arts. Its main purview is America’s wide-ranging network of professional, not-for-profit theatres—commercial, amateur or university theatre is less frequently covered—and the magazine does not review productions (but does review theatre-related books). Important international theatre is regularly featured, and significant production in the U.S. and abroad are highlighted under such headings as “Critic’s Notebook,” “Currents,” “First Person” and “Global Spotlight.” The complete scripts of major new American plays, accompanied by provocative playwright interviews, appear five times each year.
The country’s leading arts journalists as well as top professionals from the field contribute to the pages of American Theatre. Special issues include the October “Season Preview” issue (containing complete production schedules for hundreds of TCG Member Theatres across the country); the January “Approaches to Theatre Training” issue; and the May/June “International” issue. American Theatre is a member benefit to over 12,000 TCG individual members, and can also be purchased at select newsstand nationwide.
AmericanTheatre.org is the online home of American Theatre magazine. It contains every article published in the magazine, with the exception of the complete play scripts. With content updated daily, AmericanTheatre.org delivers up-to-the minute news, in-depth features, stunning visuals, exclusive podcasts and videos, and artists’ commentary and opinions across technological platforms.
It is our eventual goal to have the entire archive of American Theatre magazine available on AmericanTheatre.org. All subscribers to the print magazine will receive access to the archives of AmericanTheatre.org and the site’s daily content as well.
