As associate director of Joe’s Pub, Alex Knowlton helps bring some of New York City’s foremost or up-and-coming cabaret artists to the 190-seat space. Knowlton oversees the Pub’s annual budget with relation to the operations of the Public Theater, which supports cabaret performers with commissions and artists-in-residence programs. He spends much of his day reviewing scripts and video submissions, and gauging their potential as part of the historic Pub’s particular energy.
How does Joe’s Pub help cabaret artists develop their work?The Pub and the Public in general kind of ride that knife’s edge of developed and developing work in a tricky but important way. The commission program is something we’re specifically proud of. We’re developing a pipeline for musicians to be able to create new content. They can then, instead of touring one-nights, actually set up shop in a new town and have a show that can be presented under their theater model—not necessarily a music or cabaret model, which come in, hit it, and move on.
What’s an example of a success story? Bridget Everett is one of the most clear start-to-finish, best-case scenarios. She was here as part of a variety show
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