Primary Stages Announces PS[NYC] Training Program

Primary Stages has announced its newest training program, PS[NYC], the Primary Stages Theater Semester in New York. PS[NYC] is designed to fully immerse undergraduate students in theater and the world of creating new plays in New York City. This 14-week program is held at Primary Stages, one of Off-Broadway's leading producers of new works and home of the Einhorn School of Performing Arts (ESPA), a multidisciplinary school with departments in playwriting, acting, and directing. PS[NYC] gives students maximum exposure to New York theater and the industry professionals who create it. Students will not only learn what it takes to make great theater, but will sharpen their critical thinking skills as well. Students will be encouraged to identify and nurture their own artistic inner voices, and will leave the program with knowledge, insight, and skills that can only be developed in an environment built on artistic excellence.

PS[NYC] is designed for undergraduate liberal arts students who are interested in studying theater and playwriting. Students may be majoring in anything from creative writing or journalism to theater or English—it is not necessary to have an extensive theater background. All students interested in exploring theater in a meaningful way are encouraged to apply. The program seeks bright, adventurous, and enthusiastic students who love theater. A previous experience in theater or playwriting is not needed, but you must be passionate about spending a semester exploring theater arts and new plays. Students will rarely work with such intensity, examine their art so rigorously, or learn so much.

PS[NYC] is committed to creating and cultivating artists and critical thinkers. To that end, students will study a variety of theater disciplines in classes taught by professional actors, directors, playwrights, and producers. Students have the option of focusing their attention on either Theater Arts Studies or Playwriting. Within the Theater Arts Studies option, students will explore everything from acting and design, to playwriting and directing, to producing and theater history. The Playwriting option is designed for students who have written plays or have had at least one playwriting course at their college and would like to further explore this course of study. The playwriting students will also participate in workshops in media and lyric writing.

"New York is the perfect place to learn theater while living it," says Casey Childs, Founder and Executive Producer, Primary Stages, "Studying in this cultural epicenter allows students to learn from working artists and to experience theater of all kinds at all stages of development while perfecting their own skills. The entire city becomes the campus: students will not only attend readings and workshops of new plays and productions on and off Broadway, but will also visit museums, galleries, and other important New York City cultural institutions—all vibrant experiences that will inform and infuse their work."

Courses offered will include: Exploring the Boundaries of Playwriting taught by playwright Tanya Barfield (The Call), Modern American Plays and Playwrights taught by Michelle Bossy (Associate Artistic Director, Primary Stages), Performing and Fine Arts in Progress taught by Andrew Leynse (Artistic Director, Primary Stages), Producing New American Plays taught by Elliot Fox (Managing Director, Primary Stages), First Draft Lab taught by playwright Sheri Wilner (Bake Off), and Theatre Arts Lab. For more information and to apply, please visit www.PrimaryStages.org/PS[NYC].