Mission
An artistic incubator since 1986, Dixon Place is a Bessie and Obie Award-winning non-profit institution committed to supporting the creative process by presenting original works of theatre, dance, music, puppetry, circus arts, literature and visual art at all stages of development. Presenting over 1000 creators a year, this local haven inspires and encourages diverse artists of all stripes and callings to take risks, generate new ideas, and consummate new practices.
The artist’s experience is given top priority through our professional atmosphere and remuneration, and their process is enhanced by our adventurous audiences. With a renewed commitment to racial equity and justice, Dixon Place is a local haven for creativity as well as an international model for the open exploration of the process of creation.
History
After spawning Dixon Place as a salon in her Paris apartment in ‘85, Artistic Director Ellie Covan pioneered the organization in her NYC living room for 23 years. After organic development & expansion, DP is now a leading professional, state-of-the-art facility for artistic expression. While other venues of its kind have since died off, or now only present established artists, Dixon Place remains at the heart of the New York experimental performance scene.
Covan has received a NY Dance & Performance Award (a Bessie), two Obies, a BAXten Award & the NY Innovation Theater Foundation’s Stewardship Award for service to the community. DP has also received CUNY’s Edwin Booth Award, & the Alliance of NY State Arts Organization’s Celebrate the Arts Award for outstanding contributions to NYC.
Many artists, such as Deb Margolin, Blue Man Group, John Leguizamo, Lisa Kron, David Cale, Penny Arcade, and Reno began their careers at Dixon Place. In addition to emerging artists, Dixon Place has also been privileged to present evenings of new and experimental work by more established artists, such as: Theatre/Performance by Justin Vivian Bond, Taylor Mac, Lily Tomlin, Wallace Shawn, Craig Lucas, BD Wong, James Lecesne, John Fleck, Kate Bornstein, Ethyl Eichelberger, Holly Hughes, Karen Finley, Kate Clinton, Peggy Shaw, Mac Wellman, Big Art Group; Literary: A.M. Homes, Rick Moody, and Oscar Huelos; Dance: Mark Dendy, Jane Comfort, Sarah Michelson, Douglas Dunn and Yoshiko Chuma; Music: Vernon Reid, Rodney Crowell, Diamanda Galas, Martha Wainwright, Lucy Wainwright Roche, Suzy Roche, Maggie Roche, Rodney Crowell and They Might Be Giants.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
El Covan, Tracy Hatton, and Michael Howett
Emeriti 1988-2025: Richard Bach, Tom Cole, James Dolan, Patricia Flanagan, Carle Groome, Anne Jensen, Eric Jensen, Yoshiko Kasuga, Emily Morgan, Tom Spanbauer, and Sangeeta Ghosh Yesley
STAFF
El Covan (flexible pronouns) – Founding Director ellie@dixonplace.org
Rob Lariviere – Production Manager & Operations Manager rob@dixonplace.org
Ashley Brockington – Program Director ashley@dixonplace.org
Josiah Williams (they/them) – Website & Digital Mgmt josiah@dixonplace.org
Diana Zuluaga, Mayadevi Ross – Box Office Staff
Fiona Hansen and Adrian Mellowes – Technical Associates
Tom Bondi, Tim Shea – Cocktail Lounge Staff
Finance Friend – Financial Partners finance@dixonplace.org
Dixon Place Logos by Megan Montague Cash
CURRENT CURATORS
Sangeeta Yesley – 8 in Show, Fast Forward, HOT Dance, Dance Bloc NYC Festival, 30-30-30
Christen Clifford & Tom Cole – Experiments & Disorders