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Education Programs for NYC and beyond
Cultivating the next generation of theatregoers and creating brave spaces for emerging young artists
TDF’s education and engagement programs introduce the performing arts to potential audiences in a meaningful way. We bring teachers and schools, individuals and students, communities and organizations to live theatre. Our award-winning programming facilitates personal connections to a work of art, to each other, and encourages citizens who engage in community.
TDF's programming aligns with current best educational practices, and adheres to Common Core Curriculum and the New York City Blueprint for Teaching and Learning in the Arts. See how TDF education programs align with the NYC Department of Education Blueprint for Teaching and Learning in the Arts: Theatre K-12. Learn more.
TDF Education Programs
If you're looking to expand your arts teaching skills, consider enrolling in one of TDF's theatre education courses offered through the NYC Department of Education's After School Professional Development Program.
TDF Summer Teacher SeminarTestimonials
“Thank you so much for an awesome time at the Lion King! The kids (and chaperones) have not been able to stop buzzing. My technical theatre class has had many in depth discussions, including one about how a simple red gel helped us understand that Simba was reliving his trauma when he saw Timon hanging above the waterfall. My middle school students were enchanted with the puppets, songs, and spectacle. On a personal note, it was wonderful to see so many of my kids out of the building, exploring the city, and witnessing live theatre. After all the trauma and uncertainty of COVID, it was healing."
-Ms. Rebecca Brown Drama Teacher, gr. 6-12 Juan Morel Campos School of The Arts/I.S. 71
“Thank you so much for the opportunity to partner with TDF and benefit from the teaching artists fantastic talents and activities. The students really had a wonderful time ,and selfishly, I am super excited about using this sequence for future classes. It was quite valuable and really helped augment my current curriculum.”
-Jeremy Gold Kronenberg
“I just wanted to say thank you for the beautiful and special event on Monday celebrating The Wendy project. My students and I were so honored to a part of it. Seeing all the talented students and speakers was so uplifting. I am still in awe of this community of artists and educators. When I saw other mentors and teachers with their groups on our last outing sitting right behind us, I thought how even though each Wendy group is different, we are all having the same experience of this program. I felt joy, comfort, and warmth, knowing that we could share the experience. It is truly something special for our students throughout the city (and NJ), something that bonds them into this Wendy and NYC community forever.”
-Josh Cohen, English Teacher
For Teachers
Our programs strengthen teachers in a variety of ways. We have programs to bring theatre and dance to your students in the classroom and in the theatre. We have programs that strengthen you as a teacher with professional development. We can help with student productions in your school. And we can enable you, as an education professional, to attend theatre and dance at significantly reduced prices.
This project is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts. To find out more about how National Endowment for the Arts grants impact individuals and communities, visit www.arts.gov.