Education

Instigate (verb): bring about or initiate (an action or event).
Instigator (noun): a person who brings about or initiates something.

The Youth Artistic Instigators is a free after-school program bringing together high school students from across the greater NYC area to create bold, activist theatre.

The youth ensemble meets from October–early May under the expert guidance of NYTW Teaching Artists in workshops and rehearsals to collaborate, write and perform an original piece of theatre responding to urgent current events, and build community while advocating for social justice—and have fun in the process.

The Youth Artistic Instigators are:

• Between the ages of 14-19 and currently enrolled in high school in the greater NYC area
• Available for in-person weekly sessions from October 20, 2026 to May 4, 2027
• A strong interest in participating in the theatre arts, both through writing and performance
• Committed to consistent attendance at in-person workshops and rehearsals
• Curious, open-minded, willing to take risks, and interested in creating theatre to better understand our world and affect social change

No previous theatre experience is required, but enthusiasm for and commitment to the program are essential. Applicants will be selected through a group audition process. No preparation for the audition is needed, just attendance on the scheduled date.

Questions? Contact Emma Yaniger at youthinstigators@nytw.org or 404-989-9382.

APPLY HERE BY OCTOBER 2ND!

GROUP AUDITIONS
Tuesday, October 13, 4:00 – 6:00 PM
Wednesday, October 14, 4:00 – 6:00 PM

WEEKLY SESSIONS (Tuesdays, 4:00 – 6:00 PM)
October: 20, 27
November: 10, 17 (11/3: Election Day – no school, no session)
December: 1, 8, 15
January: 5, 12, 19, 26 (1/26: remote session due to Regents Exams)
February: 2, 9, 23 (No session during DOE’s Mid-winter Recess: 2/15 – 2/19)
March: 2, 16, 23, 30 (3/9: Eid – no school, no session)

INTENSIVE REHEARSALS (4:00 – 7:00 PM)
April: 19, 20, 21, 22, 23

TECHNICAL REHEARSALS (1:00 – 7:00 PM)
April: 26, 27, 28, 29 (Week of NYC DOE Spring Break! 4/22 – 4/30)

FINAL PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
Friday, April 30: 7:30 PM
Saturday, May 1: 2:30 PM & 7:30 PM
Sunday, May 2: 2:30 PM

FINAL SESSION
May 4, 4:00 – 6:00 PM

Previous shows include: 
Reel Life or Real Life? (2026)
A Triptych of Time (2025)
This is Our House (2024)
project: ICARUS (2023)