LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 25th Anniversary of Queens
Theatre

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that the quality of
life of the citizens of the State of New York is greatly enriched by its
exceptional cultural, educational and recreational institutions; and
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to call attention
to individuals and organizations that devote their time and energies to
the cultural enrichment of the Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concerns, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 25th Anniversary of Queens Theatre, to be celebrated on
Monday, June 2, 2014, with a 25th Anniversary Gala at the theatre in
Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens, New York; and
WHEREAS, The mission of Queens Theatre is to provide quality and
diverse performing arts activities that are economically and geograph-
ically accessible to the 2.2 million residents of Queens, the most
ethnically diverse county in the nation, and the surrounding metropol-
itan region; and
WHEREAS, For 25 years, this outstanding arts and cultural organization
has endeavored to foster greater cultural awareness and appreciation,
through presenting and producing programs that reflect the diversity of
Queens, featuring international, national and local artists; and
WHEREAS, Located in the iconic Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens
Theatre began as the Theaterama, one of three structures designed by
renowned modernist architect Philip Johnson to comprise the New York
State Pavilion at the 1964 World's Fair; when the fair closed in 1965,
the pavilion was one of the few structures spared demolition; and
WHEREAS, In 1972, Theaterama was converted from a movie theater to a
live entertainment venue; it was managed by a number of organizations
before being officially established as Queens Theatre in 1989 and, after
a complete renovation, the theatre opened on October 16, 1993; and
WHEREAS, Today, Queens Theatre is a vibrant performing arts center
with three performance spaces: its 472-seat mainstage theatre, a 99-seat
studio theatre, and its intimate cabaret and cocktail bar; and
WHEREAS, Queens Theatre is committed to presenting world-class thea-
ter, music and dance as well as programming that reflects the diversity
of its community; its annual Latino Cultural Festival is the nation's
largest and most important multi-disciplinary festival of Latino
culture, featuring music, theater, dance, film and family productions,
as well as visual art exhibitions; and
WHEREAS, In addition, the outstanding Queens Theatre is one of the
only performing arts centers in the borough that actively develops new
works through two New Play Development programs, including the Immigrant
Voices Project; more than 75 new plays have received staged readings and
productions at Queens Theatre, most notably "Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad
Zoo" by Rajiv Joseph, which premiered on Broadway in 2011 in a
production that starred Robin Williams and was directed by Moises Kauf-
man; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body recognizes the importance of the
performing arts, which act to inspire, enlighten, and unify people from
all cultural backgrounds through the transcendent power of human
expression; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that individuals and
organizations whose commitment and creative talents have contributed to
the entertainment and cultural enrichment of their community, and have
shown a long and sustained commitment to excellence certainly have

earned the recognition and applause of all the citizens of this great
Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 25th Anniversary of Queens Theatre, and to pay tribute
to the staff, volunteers, and patrons that have made it strong over its
quarter century of existence; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Queens Theatre.