www.broadwayworld.com: As the curtain opens on another school year and students gear up to go back to the classroom, Inside Broadway has announced its lineup of 2025-2026 theatre programming available for New York City public school students from elementary to high school across the five boroughs.
6 comments:
Loved learning about this initiative! The "build-a-musical" concept is super interesting and intriguing to me as a current theatre tech student. My world and life would've been so much better as a child as an avid theatre lover who grew up to love the behind the scenes of it all. I think that kids benefit not just from being exposed to theatre, but also seeing, knowing, and experiencing all of the backstage work that happens to bring every aspect of a show to life, from the beginnings of choreography to the final programming of lights before a show. It gives kids a really strong appreciation for any shows they are able to end up seeing, and can also give them a sense of pride to see something and think "I know how that works!"
Being exposed to something like this so young is an amazing thing to be a part of. I wish there were programs like this everywhere across the world. There is a place in theatre for everyone: performers, technicians, designers, artists, dancers, singers, musicians, engineers, builders. A lot of kids shy away from theatre and the arts early on due to stage fright, and a program like this that can show every aspect is such a wonderful thing to exist.
Inside Broadway seems like such a wonderful program. While exposing kids to theater in any form is incredibly important, I am especially intrigued by the focus on the non-performance aspects of this program. Growing up I did many theater programs, all of which were focused on performance, and even though I enjoyed it, I was also always trying to help out with building props, or bringing costume pieces, or painting sets. At the time I didn't have any context to put to this, I just enjoyed it, but if I had a program like this that actually took the time to show young people everything it takes to build a show, I would have been able to find tech theater before high school. Through the "Creating Magic" event so many students will get to hear from working professionals in the industry, actors but also, stage managers, lighting and sound technicians, musicians, and so much more. Hearing from these people, and learning skills in areas of theater that are often forgotten about by the general public, will allow so many kids who wouldn't have considered theater as an option to realize that it takes so much to put on a show and there are places in theater for people with a variety of interests and skills.
I loved what they said about the transformative power of theater and the effect it has on young minds! I am delighted to hear that in the program “Kids Take Center Stage!” They are including backstage programs and opportunities such as directing, sets, costumes, lighting, and so much more. It is amazing that these opportunities are opening up for the younger generation to shine and have the chance and space to express their artistry, as most of the time young artists have no space to express themselves, and if they do, their only outlet is to perform or be in the spotlight. I am excited about the opportunities for young theater designers that are opening up in our communities! I am happy to hear that when creating these programs, they are not only thinking about creating the space for these children but also creating spaces that are affordable and cost-aware for the children they are serving!
I think that Inside Broadway theatre programming is a great way for kids and teenagers to get involved in the arts and learn about the various aspects and roles that the theatre industry comprises. Many schools don't have the funding or programs that allow students to let their creative minds be put to work, and this is a wonderful way of being able to incorporate the arts into their lives and experience the interworking and the imaginative thinking that goes into putting on a show. I think that by allowing these kids not only to watch theatre, but to also get them involved is a great way to open their minds and see all of the opportunities available to them. I believe that this is a field where people underestimate the work of theatre makers simply because of what we do, but if this programming continues not only in New York but throughout the nation, young people will start to follow their creativity and will make a change in the theatre industry.
I love how much effort they are putting in to making theater more accessible for teens, and truly believe that theater would be a massive industry if people got it try it from a young age. It is also very heartwarming to read that they are going to public schools and not just art based schools as someone that came from a public school where people seemed to only value the STEM-based fields. Even if a lot of a the children that watch it choose not to pursue theater as a career or even never end up participating in a show, they will hopefully become invested and respectful audience members in the future-something we need to see more of in the theater realm.
I always find the concept of growing up in New York City to be so wild. Now that I have friends that have grown up in New York City, I can somewhat comprehend what a childhood and schooling could be like, but it is still rather distant to me. I know that a lot of people in the theatrical industry were raised in New York City, but I always thought it was due to the fact that most likely their parents were a part of the industry or they have always been around people with careers in the industry. Now I am realizing it may have to do with the unique access that schools have to the performing arts. I know the New York City public school system is quite different to it’s equally as vibrant private school scene, so it is wonderful to see that there is still excellent programing in public schools.
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