About the Paradise Theater Factory
The Paradise Theater Factory was founded in 1983 by actor and filmmaker Tom Noonan. The building had previously housed the Paradise Ice Cream Factory, but had been condemned when Noonan, along with Jack Kruger, began the project of petitioning the city to let it be made into a theater.
As a nonprofit, Paradise Factory continues its original mission of developing bold original work, bringing together actors and theater makers of all backgrounds, and supporting New York’s artists.
Our team
Joseph Carey
Felix Noonan
Monique Vukovic
Wanda Noonan
Our founder: Tom Noonan
Tom Noonan was an actor, filmmaker, and teacher who spent decades staging original work at the Paradise Factory, making independent films, and nurturing students of acting and writing. His films What Happened Was, The Wife, and Wang Dang all began as plays staged at the Paradise Factory.
His play What Happened Was just finished a run at Minetta Lane, starring Corey Stoll and Cecily Strong.
Press
February 21, 2026
March 11, 2026
April 21, 2026