Since 1968, Amas has been a theatrical force in New York City, developing and producing new American musicals, a pioneer in non-traditional casting and equity, and a forerunner of theatre arts education for young people.
 
1968 was a year of divisiveness and social unrest leading to protests against racism, sexism and the Vietnam War; civil rights legislation and the black power movement. These tumultuous events led Rosetta LeNoire (1911-2002), a pioneering African-American actress and producer to her own decisive action.  
 
Rosetta launched a non-profit theatre company, Amas (from the Latin “you love”) Musical Theatre, a laboratory for cooperation and collaboration among artists and students, and for audiences of all backgrounds. Amas embraced multiculturalism in theatre and was a founding exponent of equity long before the term became a corporate mantra.
 
Rosetta began her career as a child performer “planted” in audiences by her godfather, the legendary Bill “Bojangles” Robinson. She founded Amas to combat racism, proclaiming “We are all flowers in God’s glorious bouquet, every one of us, every color!” From its beginning, Amas has sought to bring together people of all backgrounds, colors, and ethnic origin, and education programs have always been integral to the mission.
 
In 1988, Actors’ Equity Association acknowledged Rosetta and Amas’ contribution to the American theatre by annually bestowing The Rosetta LeNoire Award on producers and theatre companies who exemplify her commitment to multicultural production and casting.
 
In 1999, President Clinton awarded The National Medal of Arts to Rosetta as “an individual deserving of special recognition by reason of her outstanding contributions to the excellence, growth, support, and availability of the arts in the United States."
 
Following in Rosie’s footsteps for the past 25 years, artistic producer Donna Trinkoff has continued to engrave the unique Amas trademark with musical theatre works that embrace different cultural perspectives that reach out to underserved audiences, and has expanded the scope by celebrating communities-at-risk due to sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic position, disability, age, developmental status, and other differentiators that trigger marginalization, exclusion, and persecution.
 
Countless dramatists, composers, lyricists, directors, choreographers, designers and actors have graced Amas stages over the past 50 years, including Maya Angelou, Micki Grant, Galt McDermott, Sheldon Epps, John Rando, Christopher Gattelli, Ted Sperling, Shaina Taub, Tom O’Horgan, Ossie Davis, Billie Allen, Lynne Taylor-Corbett, Andre deShields, Leslie Uggams, Phylicia Rashad, Brad Oscar, and Christopher Jackson. The contributions of these alumni, as well as the dedication of our talented roster of early career artists, speaks to the unique and important work of Amas – a laboratory for artists who share our vision of cultural equity and tell timeless stories that resonate deeply.