Lin-Manuel Miranda Backs New Immigrant Arts Center in NYC

The People's Theater: Centro Cultural Inmigrante, an 18-year-old community theater operation based in Inwood, Washington Heights, has officially opened its new permanent home. Lin-Manuel Miranda is among its backers. This 19,000-square-foot center features two performance spaces, rehearsal studios, and gallery areas designed for community engagement.

The performance space was designed by WORKac, an immigrant-founded and woman-led architecture practice. Its mission is to champion immigrant-centered works and bring the neighborhood together. Miranda's family, including his father Luis A. Miranda Jr. and cousin Ernesto Concepción Jr., celebrated the opening.

Miranda's great-uncle, Ernesto Concepción Sr., a performer and founder of Puerto Rico's Actors Guild, is honored with a studio theater bearing his name. He was instrumental in fostering artistic talent within the family.

The People's Theater, co-founded by Mino Lora and Bob Braswell, previously operated in pop-up locations. Lora's master's thesis in 2008 envisioned a dedicated immigrant community theater, coinciding with Miranda's Broadway success with 'In the Heights.'

The journey to a permanent home involved raising approximately $40 million. The Miranda family contributed $1 million to the $6.25 million in private donations, supplemented by $32.1 million in public funds. The theater is located in The Miramar, a mixed-income rental building.