Theater is being reshaped by CreateHer, a movement that's cultivating the next wave of theatrical talents among the young generation.
In the heart of New York City, a unique program named CreateHer is making waves in the male-dominated theater field. Founded by playwright and theater educator April Matthis, the initiative aims to empower young women and non-binary individuals by providing a space for aspiring playwrights and producers.
Each semester, eight students are invited into a room with eight strangers, a mix of those on the playwright and producer tracks, and five instructors for the first meeting. The program offers a holistic experience, providing lessons on managing budgets, theater marketing, and other organizational skills for producers, as well as building writing skills and discussing different plays for playwrights.
The final presentation of each play marks the end of the program, but the CreateHer family continues to support its students beyond the semester. The cohort often hears from leading women in the industry, including producers like Anna Mack Pardee and directors like Sammi Cannold.
The program includes two options for participants: the producer track and the playwright track, each with four students. During the final presentation of each play, students work with professional directors and actors in the theater industry to bring their written material to life. The casting process, while sometimes challenging due to the wide range of types of people and specific character descriptions, is a meaningful experience for the students, as they work with talented actors who are excited to be there with them.
CreateHer provides its students with an inside look at the New York City theater scene, offering free viewings of Broadway and Off-Broadway shows. This year, the final presentation took place at the Connelly Theater in the East Village. Four plays, all written by CreateHer students, were performed with the direction of female directors Sam Ozeas and Danielle Cohn.
Other shows the cohort saw included "Water for Elephants", a whimsical tale filled with acrobatic wonders, and the revival of "Orlando", inspired by Virginia Woolf's novel. The program also offers resources like the Theater Development Fund (TDF) and TodayTix, which provide more reasonably priced ticket offers, but access remains an issue, with the average ticket for a show on Broadway costing over $128.
CreateHer continues to break down barriers in the theater field, providing a platform for young, aspiring playwrights and producers to thrive and make their mark in the industry. For more information about the program, visit the CreateHer website or contact the founders directly.
- The unique program CreateHer, situated in New York City, is revolutionizing the theater sector, especially its male-dominated field.
- The initiative provides a platform for young, ambitious playwrights and producers, creating a space for collaboration and personal growth.
- Each semester, eight students are brought together, a mix of playwrights and producers, fostering diversity and fresh perspectives.
- CreateHer offers a holistic learning experience, covering aspects like budget management, theater marketing, and organizational skills for producers, along with enhancing writing skills and analyzing various plays for playwrights.
- Beyond the semester, CreateHer continues to support its students, offering mentorship from leading women in the industry, such as Anna Mack Pardee and Sammi Cannold.
- The program presents two participant options: the producer track and the playwright track, with four students in each category.
- During the final presentation of each play, students work closely with professionals in the theater industry, including directors and actors, streamlining their ideas into captivating performances.
- Apart from the New York City theater scene, CreateHer students enjoy viewing Broadway and Off-Broadway shows, get inspired by productions like "Water for Elephants" and "Orlando", and utilize resources like the Theater Development Fund (TDF) and TodayTix for more affordable tickets.
- Despite the availability of resources, access remains a challenge, with the average Broadway show ticket costing over $128.
- CreateHer stands as a beacon for change in the theater world, promoting diversity, encouraging personal development, and creating opportunities for aspiring playwrights and producers in the realm of American football, sports analysis, education and self-development, shopping, career development, fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, home-and-garden, relationships, pets, travel, sports (particularly football, NFL, and NCAAsports), and lifestyle.
