The Joyce Theater Receives a Major Gift, Renames Auditorium

New York City’s Joyce Theater has received a $15 million gift, one of the largest in the dance presenter’s 44-year history, from Rajika Puri and her late husband, Anupam “Tino” Puri, who passed away in 2025. The couple have been supporters of the theater since 1992. In a press statement, Rajika Puri, who is a dance artist and scholar specializing in bharatanatyam and Odissi, said, “Dance must be celebrated and venerated as an essential part of culture in America. The Joyce Theater […] honors dancers across every discipline and elevates the visibility and understanding of this extraordinary form of expression.” The Joyce’s performance space has been formally named the Tino & Rajika Puri Auditorium in honor of their long-term support and this major contribution. 

In announcing the gift, which the theater plans to use for building repairs as well as to solidify future financial stability, Joyce Theater executive director Linda Shelton noted that it “will transform what The Joyce can offer for generations to come. It ensures that The Joyce will continue to be a place where the very best in dance is created, shared, and celebrated.”