Blackbox Theater Fully Approved

Culture and community collaboration has triumphed as the DENIZEN THEATER has been approved by the Village of New Paltz Planning Board. 

The Board had been wrestling with concerns over parking and outside noise the theater may cause since its proposal. Architect and thespian, Harry Lipstein, along with project co-artistic directors Ben Williamson and Brittany Proia, spearheaded this idea, despite the pushback from those opposed. 

“The extreme focus on the possible “ifs” regarding parking for the theater was found to really just be tedious,” said New Paltz Mayor Tim Rogers. “The Planning Board decided to focus on the good this project will provide the town.” 

The DENIZEN THEATER is slated to contain 50-70 seats, that will add a cultural component of the already rich New Paltz environment. The theater will put on approximately five productions a year, utilizing interested College theater students for roles and internships. 

The founding artistic team of the DENIZEN THEATER is thrilled to have been approved by the New Paltz planning board. 

“There’s nothing more exciting than giving artists more jobs and playwrights a space where their voices can be heard,” said Williamson, Proia and Lipstein in a statement to The Oracle. “Our focus is on presenting new plays that are provoking, stimulating and engaging. We believe now more than ever we need to come together as a community and experience art that not only inspires us, but challenges our world view. The DENIZEN THEATER will explore what it means to be human, with all its duality and complexity in a safe loving environment.”