off Broadway

American  

Or Off Broadway

noun

1. professional drama produced in New York City in small theaters often away from the Broadway area and characterized by experimental productions.

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off-Broadway British  

adjective

1. designating the kind of experimental, low-budget, or noncommercial productions associated with theatre outside the Broadway area in New York

2. (of theatres) not located on Broadway

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off-Broadway Cultural  

1. A descriptive term for part of the theatrical community of New York City that presents small-scale, often experimental dramas. The costs of off-Broadway productions are generally much lower than those of Broadway (see also Broadway) plays.

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Other Word Forms

• off-Broadway adjective

Etymology

Origin of off Broadway

An Americanism dating back to 1950–55

Example Sentences

Since thens she has regularly performed on and off Broadway, including opposite Philip Seymour Hoffman in Mike Nichols’ incarnation of “Death of a Salesman.”

From Seattle Times • Feb. 13, 2024

In the past week, more than a dozen productions on and off Broadway canceled performances because of covid outbreaks detected within their casts or crew or, in some cases, mere fears of covid-19 exposure.

From Washington Post • Dec. 20, 2021

A Bronx native who now lives in Harlem, Mr. Soulja, 55, is a visual and performance artist who has performed off Broadway as well as at Lincoln Center and the Apollo Theater.

From New York Times • Jun. 26, 2021

But what he didn’t have presumably was the production he needed or the chance to develop the show off Broadway.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 29, 2021

Moss stood next to his mother, jumping up and down, screaming at people as loud as he could, pointing them toward the group that was now pouring off Broadway.

From "Anger Is a Gift" by Mark Oshiro

Related Words

• arena
• scene
• set
• spotlight
• theater