MCC Theater's Education & Outreach Department reaches out to underserved New York City public high school students, using theater to unlock a world of knowledge and creativity that they may use to express their unique and diverse voices. We believe that theater and theatrical techniques are effective tools to engage young minds and to inspire youth to explore themselves and their worlds.

In the classroom, acting, improvisation, movement, playwriting, script analysis, and other theater skills propel youth to become involved in school curriculum and help them to develop a greater sense of self confidence. We seek to build in our students an appreciation for the arts and for themselves as potential artists. Even if our students do not pursue a career in the arts, the interpersonal skills, teamwork, confidence, and social poise they learn while engaging in theater will help them to find success in whatever career they may choose.

Classroom Partnership Programs
In Classroom Partnership Programs, MCC Theater teaching artists are paired with New York City high school teachers. Through collaborative planning, they develop effective methods of reaching curriculum objectives by using theater-based lessons. Teaching artists provide students with invigorated and interesting classroom activities and instill in teachers new skills that they may incorporate across their curricula.

Alternative School Programs
The New York City Department of Education’s Office of Youth Development and School Community Services' Alternative Programs is responsible for providing appropriate educational environments for high school students with unique needs. MCC Theater partners with Alternative School Programs to provide its students with professional theater training outside of regular school hours. Students chose to study two subjects from the following: acting, musical theater, playwriting, spoken word, dance, or chorus. The culminating event of this program involves an exhibit of student work and a public performance.

Student Matinees
To further introduce youth to theater, students from all of our partner schools attend the Mainstage productions at MCC Theater. Teaching Artists work with students before the matinees, using specially prepared study guides which prepare students for the themes and dramatic devices which they will encounter in the production. Afterwards, students have a question-and-answer period with the actors and artists. For many students, this is the first time they have experienced a professional theater production.

MCC Theater Youth Company (YC)
A free after-school program for New York City youth, ages 14 -20, interested in writing and acting for the theater. Students come from throughout the city to participate in weekly workshops led by theater professionals. YC is designed to inspire young people to find and express their voices through the creation and performance of original theater pieces, while providing them with a safe artistic environment where they may grow and learn.