In December, 1999 when the careful renovations on Shantigar’s cathedral-like century-old barn were nearly complete, 175 people celebrated the millennium in the barn.  Three weeks later, the barn burned down.  Many from nearby towns came to mourn it. 

Today the barn site with its old stone walls, greenery, and large stone Buddha feels like the ruins of an ancient temple.  But van Itallie asserts: "The barn is only temporarily invisible." 

Currently summer workshops and performances happen in a big white tent in the woods.  A large wooden shed houses the office and dining space.

Shantigar wants to rebuild the barn as a theater.  (The first step will be to build a much-needed commercial kitchen along with an eating space and bathrooms.)

There will be a benefit in New York City on May 25th at the LaMama Annex (East 4th Street between 2nd and 3rd Avenues) for rebuilding the barn. That evening there will be a performance of Jean-Claude van Itallie's play of The Tibetan Book of the Dead. (Many Tibetan Buddhists believe that to hear The Tibetan Book of the Dead even once in this lifetime confers great blessings, so please come.)

The benefit evening on May 25th will also include a silent auction of Asian antiques and of art by friends of Shantigar, including Robert Wilson, Mary Frank, Ronald Rand, and Betsy von Furstenburg.

Shantigar is grateful to its friends who have agreed to be on the Honorary Benefit Committee, the Benefit Steering Committee, and the Silent Art Auction Committee:

Honorary Benefit Committee: Joyce Aaron, Edward Albee, Karen Allen, Lucie Arnaz, Ava B., Darren Bagert, Alec Baldwin,  Anne Bogart, Robert Brustein, Joan Buck, Kathleen Chalfant, Tina Chen, Martha Coigney, Emilie Conrad, Nancy Cooperstein, Billy Crudup, Rabbi Edward and Merle Feld, Angelina Fiordellisi, Mary Frank, Rita Fredricks, Gerald Freedman,  Barbara Gimbel, Wendy Gimbel, Peter Goldfarb, Steve Gorn, Lee Grant,  William G. Hoffman, James Houghton,  Morgan Jenness, Tony Kushner,  Steven Lang,  Laurence Luckinbill, Judith Malina, Jodie C. McDowell,  Evangeline Morphos, Meredith Monk, Patricia Neal, Paul Newman,  Austin Pendleton, Steven Post, Carol Fox Prescott, Michael Pressman, Harold Prince, Linda Purl,  Roger Rees, Mercedes Ruehl, Rita Fredricks Salzman, Lisa Schubert, Marian Seldes, Mel Shapiro, Joan Micklin Silver, Laura Simms, Ellen Stewart, David Threlfall, Tulku Thondup, Rinpoche, Christel van Itallie, Betsy von Furstenburg, Lois Walden, Robert Wilson, Joanne Woodward.

Steering Committee: Ronald Rand; chair, John Adams, Lauren Bond.
Silent Art Auction Committee: Gwen Bucci; co-chair, Lil Malinich; co chair, Rebecca Damon, Audra Blaser.
Production Committee: Lisa Clarke, Rosemary Quinn, Harvey Schaktman.
Special thanks to Peter Goldfarb and Wendy Gimbel for hosting benefit parties. Special thanks also to Michael Stuart.

We invite you to support Shantigar and help rebuild Shantigar's theater barn.
For a generous contribution of $350 or more you will receive two tickets to the benefit performance and an invitation to Wendy Gimbel's pre-performance party. Please visit our contributions page for information. With your help Shantigar can expand as a spiritual haven for creativity.