Theatre Within was founded as an experimental theater workshop in 1962 by director Alec Rubin, and as a non-profit in 2006 by satirist Joe Raiola.  

1962 – 1970

Theatre Within, originally known as Theater of Encounter, was regarded as one of New York’s most fearlessly experimental companies. Founder Alec Rubin, born in Leningrad, was a maverick director and therapist who developed a powerful technique for performing artists to access deep feelings and create emotionally-charged work. Under his direction, Theater of Encounter produced countless original theater and dance works. Notable workshop members included Al Pacino and Jerry Ragni, co-author of Hair.

1970 – 2000

Reflecting on his conviction that core inner work was the key to unlocking an artist’s full potential, Alec renamed his company “Theatre Within.” He led ongoing classes in “primal theater,” while producing new theater and dance works, classic plays and solo performance festivals.

In 1979, Joe Raiola, then an aspiring standup, joined the workshop and began a creative collaboration with Alec that would last over 25 years. In 1981, they created the Annual John Lennon Tribute and were the driving creative forces behind the show for the next two decades.

In 1991, Alec established a seasonal company in Florida, leaving Joe to direct the winter/spring workshop seasons in New York.

2001 – 2010

In 2001, Joe Raiola took full creative control of the Annual John Lennon Tribute, gradually breaking away from its traditional improvisational theater format and re-envisioning it as a charity concert. Meanwhile, the workshop continued to attract new members and stage solo performance works in New York City and Miami. 

In November 2005, just weeks before the 25th Annual John Lennon Tribute at Lincoln Center (with Anais Mitchell, who would go on to compose the Broadway hit Hadestown), Alec Rubin died from complications following a stroke. The following year, Joe Raiola established Theatre Within as a non-profit.

In 2010, the 30th Annual John Lennon Tribute, with Jackson Browne, Patti Smith, Taj Mahal and Cyndi Lauper, was held at the Beacon Theatre. A CD with highlights of the concert was released the following year.

2011 – 2020

Theatre Within set out in a new direction with a mission of providing workshops in creative expression and mindfulness to communities in need. In 2014, with the support of Yoko Ono, the John Lennon Real Love Project songwriting workshop launched at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore in the Bronx and took root at the Red Door Community (then known as Gilda’s Club NYC) the following year.

Continuing to attract top artists and sell-out crowds, the Annual John Lennon Tribute was further established as an important NYC cultural event. Theatre Within established the John Lennon Real Love Award to celebrate artists for their creative excellence and positive charitable/social impact. Honorees have included Natalie Merchant, Rosanne Cash, Patti Smith and Donovan. 

In 2020, with the onset of the Covid 19 pandemic, Theatre Within quickly adapted to the virtual paradigm by providing over 200 workshops online for the cancer community in NYC. The 40th Annual John Lennon Tribute, featuring classic performances from previous Tributes and new performances by Jorma Kaukonen and others, was streamed for a worldwide audience.

2021 — 2024

In 2021 Theatre Within launched the John Lennon Real Love Project elementary and middle school program. After learning about John Lennon’s life and music, students write new lyrics to “Real Love” and record their own version of the song with John Lennon’s original vocal and piano tracks. The program has been provided to 19 schools, most recently Mott Hall II in NYC and Emma C. Chase in Monticello.  

In 2022 Theatre Within announced a new partnership with the Cancer Support Community, making its workshops available throughout the northeast and midwest. A new partnership was also announced with Covenant House, bringing Theatre Within workshops to runaway and homeless teens in NYC.

The Annual John Lennon Tribute continued to flourish with honorees Ani DiFranco in 2021 and Joan Osborne in 2022 at Symphony Space. In 2023 the 43rd Annual John Lennon Tribute with honoree Graham Nash and surprise guest Art Garfunkel was held at Town Hall.