The Public Theater is a New York City arts organization founded as The Shakespeare Workshop in 1954 by Joseph Papp, with the intention of showcasing the works of up-and-coming playwrights and performers. At Papp's death in 1991, the Public Theater was renamed the "Joseph Papp Public Theater" in his memory. It is headquartered at 425 Lafayette Street in the former Astor Library in the East Village section of Lower Manhattan.