Eric Krebs (producer)

Eric Krebs
Born(1944-12-13)December 13, 1944
Occupations
  • Theater producer
  • educator
SpouseSuzanne Karp Krebs
Children2

Eric Krebs (born December 13, 1944, Danbury, Connecticut) is an American theater founder and manager, producer, and educator.

Career

Krebs' father was a German communist who fled from the Nazi regime.[1] When Krebs was three, his parents divorced, and three years later, his father died.[2]

After graduating from Morris Hills Regional High School in Rockaway, New Jersey, Krebs studied English at Rutgers University, wrote plays, and became involved in theater.[3] In 1967, he started a part-time graduate program at Rutgers and launched a theater in New Brunswick called Brecht West. In 1974, he moved the theater into a former Acme supermarket, renaming it George Street Playhouse for its new location. He started with six plays and 110 subscribers. About a decade later, with the expansion of Johnson and Johnson, a new location had to be found. Thus, in 1985, George Street Playhouse moved to its current location on Livingston Ave, New Brunswick, into a renovated former YMCA building. After three seasons, Krebs left the Playhouse[3] later saying "I outgrew it and it outgrew me".[2] In Manhattan, he founded and directed the Off-Broadway John Houseman Theater Center and Douglas Fairbanks Theater.[1] He operated the Playroom Theater in Manhattan.[4] He owns and operates Theater555 in Manhattan, formerly called the Pearl Theatre.[5] Krebs created more than 150 productions over the course of his career.[1] and wrote 15 plays, one about his father.[2]

Krebs' parallel academic career led him to become a Professor of Theater Arts at Rutgers University, now in emeritus status. He also taught at Baruch College, City University of New York, until his retirement.[1] He is committed to making theater accessible to young people, and as such, he developed the School Theater Ticket Program and other online programs to make theater affordable.[6]

Personal

Krebs is married to Suzanne Karp Krebs; they have two children.[1][2]

See also


References

  1. ^ a b c d e Eric Krebs (2019-11-09). "For Eric Krebs, all the world's a stage". FreeThoughtsToday.com. Retrieved 2026-01-14.
  2. ^ a b c d Klein, A. (1999-06-06). "In Person; The Road to the Tonys". New York Times. Retrieved 2026-01-20.
  3. ^ a b NN (2012). "Eric Krebs - Discussion Summary" (PDF). Retrieved 2026-01-14.
  4. ^ NN. "Eric Krebs Theatrical Management". NYC-Arts. Retrieved 2026-01-14.
  5. ^ "Theater 555". theater555.com. Retrieved 2026-01-14.
  6. ^ Reich, R (2015-06-21). "N.J. producer Eric Krebs sets his sights on young audiences". nj.com. Retrieved 2026-01-14.