MISSION STATEMENT

Since 1916, The Drama League of New York has been at the forefront of the American Theatre community, providing talent, audiences, and prosperous support. It is one of the nation’s oldest continuously-operating, not-for-profit arts advocacy and education organizations.

Through its programs, initiatives and events, The Drama League indelibly transforms the lives of artists and audiences by harnessing the unique social and creative dynamism of theatre. Its nationally-renowned, award-winning efforts have two vital goals:

TO TRAIN AND NURTURE THE ARTISTS OF TOMORROW

Through the Drama League Directors Project, we identify and nurture talented emerging artists at the very beginning of their careers, providing them with unparalleled tools and support for professional success – expert mentorship, network growth, new play development and lifelong creative opportunity. As standardized arts education evaporates across the country, The Drama League is dedicated to ensuring that artists of the 21st century can create sustainable careers in the field, creating extraordinary productions for millions of theatre lovers around the world.

The Directors Project contains six initiatives: the New York Fall Production Program, the Summer Residency Program, the New Directors/New Works play development program, the Musical Theatre Directing Program, the Classical Fellowship for Directors of Color, and the U.S./Bulgarian Stage Directors Exchange. It partners with dozens of professional theatres each season, and its alumni have received numerous Tony, Emmy, Obie, Bessie, Drama Desk, Outer Critics, Olivier, Evening Standard, Helen Hayes, and Jeff Awards, as well as multiple Academy Award nominations.

TO DEEPEN AND STRENGTHEN THE AUDIENCE EXPERIENCE

Through the Drama League Audience Project, we transform the act of theatergoing by creating price-subsidized performances on Broadway, Off-Broadway and at 200 theatres across the country. Beyond mere attendance, however, we supplement the audience experience with educational activities that bring viewers intimately into the creative process — post-performance workshops, discussions, open rehearsals, meet-the-artist events, backstage tours, historical awareness, play readings, awards, and industry-wide convocations. It is our belief that by eliminating financial barriers to theatre and illuminating the plays on the stage in new ways, we can create lifelong, enthusiastic audiences for generations to come.

The Drama League was honored to receive the Excellence in Arts Education Award from the National Theatre Museum in 2006. The organization has received commendations and continued funding from the National Endowment for the Arts, the New York State Council on the Arts, the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, the Shubert Organization, and many more.