A site-based tour and discussion at The Public Theater exploring the clash between Robert Moses and Joseph Papp that shaped Shakespeare in the Park—and redefined access to public art in New York City.
This Jane’s Walk explores one of New York City’s most consequential cultural battles: the fight between Joseph Papp and Robert Moses over free Shakespeare in the Park in the 1950s and 60s.
Hosted at The Public Theater on Lafayette Street, this experience is structured as a guided, site-based tour and discussion rather than a traditional walking route. Participants will move through select public spaces within the building while engaging with the history of Joseph Papp’s vision for free, accessible theater—and the resistance he faced from Robert Moses, whose views on public space and control sharply contrasted with Papp’s mission.
Through storytelling and conversation, we’ll trace:
• The early years of Shakespeare in the Park in Central Park
• The legal and political battles with Robert Moses
• The creation of the Delacorte Theater
• The transformation of the Astor Library into The Public Theater
Participants will be encouraged to engage throughout, connecting these historic conflicts to present-day questions about access, equity, and the role of public institutions in cultural life.
Route Description:
This is a site-based experience centered entirely at The Public Theater.
The program includes:
• Exterior gathering and introduction at Lafayette Street
• Movement through select interior public spaces (lobby and accessible areas)
• Storytelling that connects the site to Central Park and the Delacorte Theater
Total distance: minimal
Format: primarily stationary with light movement between spaces
Key Themes / Topics
• Public space and power in NYC
• Arts accessibility and equity
• Urban planning vs. cultural activism
• Theater history and civic identity
• The legacy of Shakespeare in the Park
What Makes This Walk Unique:
Led by staff members of The Public Theater, this experience offers rare access to the historic home of The Public Theater while framing its origins through a dramatic and influential civic conflict. By focusing on a single site, the walk allows for deeper engagement, discussion, and storytelling, connecting institutional history to broader questions about who public space—and public art—is for.
Audience:
General public; theater lovers; NYC history enthusiasts; urban policy and arts access audiences
Accessibility
Minimal walking; primarily stationary experience
Fully accessible interior spaces (pending building access considerations)
Suitable for participants with mobility limitations
Location Information
RSVP is required and capacity is limited. Meeting location, ending location, and directions will be provided via email before walk date.
