Honor Irondale's 36th Anniversary

May 20, 2019 WHEREAS, Theatrical institutions, and the many social and educational benefits they confer, play a vital role in the development of their neighborhoods; and WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and commend those artistic landmarks which have brought outstanding entertainment and cultural enrichment to the citizens of the great State of New York; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the 36th Anniversary of Irondale to be celebrated with a Gala on Monday, May 20, 2019, at India House Club in New York City; and WHEREAS, Irondale is a theatre company which brings together artists who collaborate over long periods of time, who speak a common performance language and who believe theatre can educate as well as entertain; and WHEREAS, Irondale theatre company was established long before the theatre space when Barbara Mackenzie-Wood, Jim Niesen and Terry Greiss began making work together at the Long Wharf Theatre in New Haven, Connecticut, in 1978; and WHEREAS, In 1983, following six years of performing in theatres all over the country, the group decided to create the kind of theatre which could only come from the work of a true ensemble, artists coming together over long periods of time to explore the nature and uses of theatre; and WHEREAS, From its earliest days, education, engagement and outreach became central to Irondale's mission; the theatre company found audiences in public schools, prisons and shelters, and taught thousands of workshops from Staten Island to Cape Town; in addition, its extraordinary work has been seen from the Lower East Side to the former Soviet Union; and WHEREAS, Irondale's first explorations from 1984 to 1999, focused on improvisation and its application to text, both classical and contemporary, with the goal of bringing a strong sense of improvisational aliveness to scripted performances; and WHEREAS, Furthermore, during this time, Shakespeare, Chekhov and Brecht were performed regularly, on and off text; and WHEREAS, Today, with 60 productions under its belt, Irondale's work ranges from precise, accurate versions of classics, to radical interpretations of the same; still working in public and private schools, the company has grown to offer multiple in-house youth and education programs, with its flagship program being the Young Company teen ensemble; and WHEREAS, The success of Irondale is in direct correlation to the efforts of its dedicated staff, whose involvement is, and always has been, characterized by an impressive commitment, an unbridled enthusiasm, and an uncompromising standard of excellence in all endeavors on behalf of the organization and the community it serves; and WHEREAS, A vibrant arts community encourages collaboration, instills local pride, draws people together, and is essential to a community's vitality; over the past 36 years, Irondale has greatly contributed to the richness of New York's cultural palette; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when artistic societies of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our attention, they should be recognized by all the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commemorate the 36th Anniversary of Irondale on May 20, 2019; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Irondale, Brooklyn, New York.