Photo of Joseph Vernon Banks
Theater for the New City (TNC) celebrated the life of Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program alum Joseph Vernon Banks (Cycle 9) on March 16th in Manhattan. He died at age 62 on November 11, 2023.
Banks wrote original music for eighteen of TNC’s free street theater productions between 2003 and 2023 and conducted their five-piece orchestras, touring with the company for two months each summer through parks, playgrounds and closed-off streets throughout the five boroughs. All were written in collaboration with Crystal Field, who penned book and lyrics and directed the pieces.
Field, commenting on Banks' contribution, wrote, “His music for our five-borough tour lent grace and joy to each new musical. His generosity of spirit pervaded the theater during the rehearsals and performances of each new work. His philosophy showed itself in his music and greatly influenced the direction in my writing. His legacy is strong and vibrant and his memory will remain in the hearts of the many performers who graced and will grace the outside stage of each new ‘Operetta for the Street’.”
Banks' awards included a Meet The Composer Grant, the ASCAP Special Awards Program, and a fellowship from the Tisch Graduate Musical Theater Writing Program at NYU. His musical “Girlfriends!” premiered at The Goodspeed Opera House. He was a composer–in-residence in The Tribeca Performing Arts Center Work and Show Series and a member of The Dramatists Guild.