Playwrights Horizons is an off-Broadway institution with a mission to develop new works from both veteran and aspiring American contemporary playwrights, composers and lyricists. Founded in 1971, the not-for-profit company started at the Clark Center Y, and then moved to 42nd Street.

The Playwrights Horizons building is constructed on the site of a former burlesque venue, and holds two stages for off-Broadway productions. The Mainstage Theater has a 198-seat capacity, whilst the slightly smaller Peter Jay Sharp Theater offers 128 seats.

Playwrights Horizons offers a range of developmental programmes including script readings and musical theater workshops. It also houses the Playwrights Horizons Theater School — an affiliate of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts.