Instituted in 2001, with a generous grant from the Ford Foundation, NPT’s Education & Outreach Project addresses the need of nurturing new talent and developing new audiences for the theatre.

The Education Outreach Project is an after-school program attracting 50 high school students, 95% of whom are students of color from Manhattan’s High School of Communication and Graphics Writing Center.

Guided by a successful Off-Broadway playwright, the students study various aspects of theatre, learn to observe and constructively critique their peer’s artistic choices and strengthen perceptual, analytical, literacy and critical and creative thinking skills. The students are encouraged to attend other theatre performances including NPT’s Writers Festival and theatre events the instructor finds relevant. In recent years, the students have written and performed word pieces under the leadership of spoken word artist Mahogany Browne. The program culminates with a production featuring the students' work.

Currently, NPT is in the midst of expanding its education programs from one to six schools, including elementary and middle schools. This expanded program will develop students' skills in creating theatre, as well as introduce them to a spoken word and poetry curriculum. NPT Board members and teaching artists will also accompany NPT students to professional performances, and students will again have the opportunity to perform their theatrical scenes, poems and spoken word pieces.

If you are interested in helping to support the expansion of NPT's Education Program, please contact Sheila Kay Davis at 212-398-2666.