Our History

TONYC was founded in 2011 by Katy Rubin, who trained with Augusto Boal in Rio, in 2008. After returning to New York and discovering a lack of effective "popular theatre" – interactive theatre created by communities facing oppression – Rubin helped form the Jan Hus Homeless Theatre Troupe, which is now called Concrete Justice (TONYC’s flagship troupe).

Since 2011, TONYC has grown rapidly in response to a real need from communities in crisis for social change. Our team of Jokers and Jokers-in-Training – the people who help facilitate workshops and performances – now collaborate with TONYC’s troupes to create more than 60 public performances a year.