Educational Theatre - NYU Steinhardt

NYU offers the only academic program in the United States in educational theatre that leads to B.S., M.A., Ed.D, and Ph.D. degrees. The program emphasizes the applications of theatre in a range of community and educational settings, with concentrated study in drama education, applied theatre, and play production for artists and educators. The program is recognized as a national and global leader in theatre and drama education; artist-in-residence strategies; theatre for and by young people. We produce plays year-round with accompanying workshops and applied theatre projects in the Black Box Studio, the Provincetown Playhouse, and community venues. The program has recently committed to a prison theatre project in New York where our students have opportunities to devise and implement work in the most challenging of environments.

The program offers teacher certification degrees at the B.S. and M.A. levels. Here, students are trained as theatre educators and are placed in field settings with cooperating mentors. As well, students can take the M.A. and Ph.D (Educational Theatre for Colleges and Communities) where they explore and research the power of theatre in a range of contexts. The program offers internships and extensive experiences in a variety of professional settings including nationally prominent theatres for young audiences; health and justice; media networks and schools; government, arts and community centers.

Each summer a New Plays for Young Audiences series occurs where emerging and experienced playwrights workshop their plays; a community outreach project, titled “Looking for Shakespeare”, where young people from Greenwich Village create theatre inspired by the bard; a study abroad program in England, Ireland, and Brazil where students study with world drama pioneers.

Recent graduates are employed in educational settings, in communications, community theatre, regional and New York professional theatre, children’s theatre, the wider arts industry, and as consultants and specialists. Institutions from the preschool to the university level seek trained specialists to inaugurate and conduct drama and applied theatre programs; specialists are also needed for programs in artist-in-residency companies, camps, parks, playgrounds and guidance centers. Our doctoral graduates secure major positions in higher education.

Faculty are recognized as leaders in their field and have authored many of the key references in drama and theatre education. Recent books include Applied Theatre: Creating Transformative Encounters In The Community, Assessment in Arts Education, and Structure and Spontaneity. The program hosts a yearly forum series where the pressing issues of the day are addressed. Forums have addressed such topics as social justice and diversity, the teaching artist, assessment, and drama across the school curriculum. NYU students have worked on campus with formative authorities in educational theatre.

Faculty are experienced mentors and help students realize their full potential. Students have created their own theatre club, Theatrix!, in which they present staged play readings, devise original theatre productions, and sponsor student facilitated workshops. Theatrix! provides a unique forum where students can develop competency in New York State Theatre Standards. The Program in Educational Theatre is committed to discovery and excellence in the arts. It is powered by praxis: Action, Reflection, Transformation … ART! And this praxis is occurring in New York City, considered by many to be at the world’s epicenter of aesthetic activity. This website offers information on the various degree programs and opportunities offered through the Program in Educational Theatre and the Department of Music and Performing Arts Professions.

Please do not hesitate to contact me for more information. I look forward to welcoming you to the program.

Philip Taylor, PhD
Director, Program in Educational Theatre

Pless Annex, Room 223
82 Washington Square East
Tel: 212 998 5868

Email the Educational Theatre Office

Department of Music and Performing Arts Professions

Welcome to Educational Theatre