ABOUT.
“One
of the world’s best festivals for new works”
- Theater Festivals, Lisa Mulcahy (Allworth Press, 2005)
Downtown Urban Arts Festival (DUAF) is a month-long, multidisciplinary arts showcase held annually in the spring/summer at renowned venues in Manhattan, NYC.
The 2025 season runs in June at Theatre Row and Joe’s Pub at The Public Theater.. The season marks the 23rd season of the THEATER series that was founded with the purpose to build a repertoire of new American theater that echoes the true spirit of urban life and speaks to a new generation whose lives defy categorizing along conventional lines.
DUAF is produced by Creative Ammo Inc. (CA), a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit community development organization for artists focused on building stronger communities. Founded in 1998, CA has created solid programs to strengthen communities, foster creativity and celebrate life through art. Artists are an important leverage point in its work. Its mission is to cultivate vibrant communities by connecting artists with the skills and services they need to develop their talent into a marketable skill to pursue a career in the arts. Its programs are inclusive, open and embrace diverse ideas and art forms, and target communities of color and other underrepresented multicultural, women and LGBTQIA+ populations. CA is supported by the National Endowment for the Arts, New York State Council on the Arts and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs. CA is designated as a member of the Coalition of Theaters of Color by the New York City Council for its excellence in presenting performing arts for communities of color.
Artistic Director Reg E. Gaines on NBC (2019)
2-time Tony winner Savion Glover w/Gaines on Good Day New York (2024)
DUAF23.
“ T he Very B est of NYC T heatre ”
- Jules Lee (Go Magazine, 2009)
DUAF presents its 23rd season in June 2025 featuring Tony Award winning playwright/actress Sarah Jones (Bridge & Tunnel) in her new work America, Who Hurt You? and new staged plays by some of the nation’s best new and emerging plywrights from the country who were mentored by Artistic Director Reg E. Gaines (Tony nominee for Bring in da Noise Bring in da Funk). Performanes will be held at Joe’s Pub at The Public Theater and Theatre Row in the Theatre District, NYC.
The Theater series is an acclaimed playwrights program that has been described as "one of the world's best festivals for new works" and "not only prestigious, but a slice of heaven for playwrights who want the chance to freely express themselves." In 2001, it was founded with the purpose to build a repertoire of new American theatre that echoes the true spirit of urban life and speaks to a whole new generation. That purpose has been realized many times over, as 221 writers have created 310 plays for the stage and thousands of inspired audience members have applauded their work. It was inaugurated in 2002 at HERE in SoHo to help revitalize the downtown arts scene, which was experiencing a severe downturn due to the WTC disaster. Acclaimed writers who have participated in the Theater series in the early part of their careers include Pulitzer Prize winner Martyna Majok and Obie winner/Tony nominee Dominique Morisseau. Past stage directors and actors have included Emmy winner Dorothy Lyman and Chadwick Boseman (Black Panther).
FACTS.
SARAH JONES
June 13/14
Joe’s Pub @ The Public Theater
425 Lafayette Street, NYC
NEW/EMERGING PLAYWRIGHTS
Downtown Urban Arts Festival (DUAF) is a month-long, multi-disciplinary arts showcase held annually in the spring/summer at renowned venues in Manhattan, NYC.
June 11 thru 28
Theatre Row 410 West 42nd Street, NYC
The 2025 season runs in June at Theatre Row and Joe’s Pub at The Public Theater.. The season marks the 23rd season of the THEATER series that was founded with the purpose to build a repertoire of new American theater that echoes the true spirit of urban life and speaks to a new generation whose lives defy categorizing along conventional lines.
Joe’s Pub - Named for Public Theater founder Joe Papp, Joe's Pub at The Public opened in 1998 and plays a vital role in The Public's mission of supporting young artists while providing established artists with an intimate space and superior acoustics to perform and develop new work. Joe's Pub consistently presents the best in live music and performance nightly, continuing its commitment to diversity, production values, community and artistic freedom.
Theatre Row – An off-Broadway multi-theater complex in the iconic NYC theatre district that is a creative home for artistic voices and audiences.
Supported by
DUAF is produced by Creative Ammo Inc. (CA), a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit community development organization for artists focused on building stronger communities. Founded in 1998, CA has created solid programs to strengthen communities, foster creativity and celebrate life through art. Artists are an important leverage point in its work. Its mission is to cultivate vibrant communities by connecting artists with the skills and services they need to develop their talent into a marketable skill to pursue a career in the arts. Its programs are inclusive, open and embrace diverse ideas and art forms, and target communities of color and other underrepresented multicultural, women and LGBTQIA+ populations. CA is
SPONSOR.
AUDIENCE:
DUAF has made its mark in New York City’s cultural landscape, while treating theater-goers for the New York Tri-State area as well as tourists to the best of new ground-breaking theatre that is accessible and embraces audiences. The festival is accessible not only by being in close proximity to public transportation but also by having an affordable ticket prices. It embraces audiences through the theatrical portrayal of stories that interpret our history and our times.
Downtown Urban Arts Festival (DUAF) is a month-long, multi-disciplinary arts showcase held annually in the spring/summer at renowned venues in Manhattan, NYC.
DUAF’s audience is diverse and dynamic highly visible, socially active urbanites. They are young (70% 18-44), single (70%) culture seekers with highly desirable disposable income necessary for significant spending on dining, entertainment, media and electronics. Their ethnicity and lifestyles reflect the playwrights who participate in the festival.
2025 SPONSORSHIP Anticipated Attendance – 2,000 | Anticipated Exposure – 2,000,000
By supporting the Downtown Urban Arts Festival , you are becoming part of an arts institution that has made its mark in New York City’s cultural landscape and continues to foster the creation of new American theater from diverse playwrights and filmmakers.
SEASON PARTNER
($15,000)
The SEASON PARTNER receives the greatest level of promotional and marketing exposure throughout the entire 2025 season, including all of the following and more.
Partner’s logo on all ads, posters and playbills for the festival.
Partner acknowledged in all press releases.
Partner recognized in all curtain speeches for performances
The 2025 season runs in June at Theatre Row and Joe’s Pub at The Public Theater.. The season marks the 23rd season of the THEATER series that was founded with the purpose to build a repertoire of new American theater that echoes the true spirit of urban life and speaks to a new generation whose lives defy categorizing along conventional lines.
Partner recognized on website, including a reciprocal link, for one year.
Partner recognized in all festival-specific e-mail blasts.
Partner receives twelve complimentary festival tickets.
Complimentary full-page ad in official program guide
Additional exclusive promotional opportunities.
FESTIVAL LEADER
($10,000)
The FESTIVAL LEADER receives extensive promotional and marketing exposure during the festival. Benefits Include, but not limited to:
Leader’s logo on all ads, posters, playbills and flyers for the festival.
Leader acknowledged in all press releases.
Leader recognized on website, including a reciprocal link, for the entire season.
Leader receives ten complimentary festival tickets.
DUAF is produced by Creative Ammo Inc. (CA), a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit community development organization for artists focused on building stronger communities. Founded in 1998, CA has created solid programs to strengthen communities, foster creativity and celebrate life through art. Artists are an important leverage point in its work. Its mission is to cultivate vibrant communities by connecting artists with the skills and services they need to develop their talent into a marketable skill to pursue a career in the arts. Its programs are inclusive, open and embrace diverse ideas and art forms, and target communities of color and other underrepresented multicultural, women and LGBTQIA+ populations. CA is
SPONSOR ($5,000)
Benefits Include:
Sponsor’s logo on all ads, posters and playbills for the festival.
Sponsor recognized on website.
Sponsor receives four complimentary festival tickets.
MEDIA SPONSOR
Benefits Include:
Sponsor’s logo on all ads, posters and playbills for the festival.
Sponsor recognized on website, including a reciprocal link, for the entire season.
Sponsor receives four complimentary festival tickets.
CONTACT:
CREATIVE AMMO INC.
18 East 41st Street, Suite 1806
New York, NY 10017
info@duafnyc.com duafnyc.com
