Non-profit organization for children's theatre
Inside Broadway is a non-profit performing arts education organization and children's theatre company based in Midtown Manhattan, New York.
History.
Inside Broadway, originally known as Midtown Management Group, was founded in 1982 by Michael Presser. It began when Presser was asked by Bernard Jacobs, then-president of The Shubert Organization, to create a student ticket program for the Broadway production of "Cats". This program distributed 50 tickets each Wednesday matinee to New York City public school students. A year later, the program expanded to include "Dreamgirls". The program became very successful, eventually including shows such as "Les Misérables", "Phantom of the Opera", and "Miss Saigon". The ticket program ran for the entire length of the original run of "Cats", ending when the production closed in 2000.
Aside from the ticket program, Inside Broadway created several other projects during its first few years, including:
After the end of the ticket program, Inside Broadway changed its focus to providing in-school and after-school programs.
Programs.
Creating the Magic.
Inside Broadway's Creating the Magic programs are collaborations with Broadway productions to create presentations for New York City public school students about the inner workings of a Broadway show. Taking place inside the Broadway theatre where the show is playing, these presentations consist of performances from the actors and demonstrations from the stage crew with the set, props, lighting, and sound design. The goal of these programs is to educate students about the various different careers present in the theatre industry, as well as to highlight the contributions that behind-the-scenes workers make to a Broadway show. Each presentation is put on twice that day, and up to 2,200 students per day attend the program.
Broadway productions who have participated in a Creating the Magic program include:
Touring productions.
Twice a school year, Inside Broadway tours an abridged adaptation of a Broadway musical to schools in all five boroughs of New York City. These productions are fully staged and use Equity actors. Each show is adapted to a 45-minute version, meant to fit into a typical class period length. The goal of these tours is to bring live theatre to students in areas where the performing arts are often inaccessible.
Productions have included:
Teaching Artist residencies.
Inside Broadway works with up to 100 schools each year to develop educational theatre programs tailored to each school. Each program is taught through a several-week-long residency by teaching artists, professional actors who oftentimes have Broadway experience. The most popular of these programs is the "Build-a-Musical" program, in which groups of students work with the teaching artist to develop a musical revue that will later be performed for their school. These programs are designed to develop communication and teamwork skills while also increasing cultural awareness and appreciation for musical theatre.
Aside from in-school programming, Inside Broadway also offers after-school programs (CASA), in which students rehearse a pre-written revue of popular Broadway songs, and special programs for senior citizen centers (SU-CASA).
Broadway Beacon Awards.
The Broadway Beacon Awards is an annual event held by Inside Broadway to honor artists and community leaders in the Broadway industry. At the awards ceremony, there are also performances from students who participate in Inside Broadway programs and from individual Broadway performers or casts of Broadway shows.
The first Broadway Beacon Award was given to Broadway actress Carol Channing in 1995. Other honorees in recent years have included Chita Rivera in 2019 (specifically the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award), Ramin Karimloo in 2017, and Renée Fleming in 2015
Supporters.
Inside Broadway receives annual funding from the following New York City and State government agencies:
References.
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