We firmly believe in the enduring educational benefits of theater and we want to make it accessible for all. Educational programming and mentorship are personal for us, because we also attended under resourced urban schools and free community arts programs, internships and mentorships were our lifeline.
From our free workshops and mentorship programs, to our full scale productions offered at low-ticket prices, we nurture the next generation of theater artists and attract diverse audiences.
Workshop curriculum and mentorship focus on developing observational skills and amplifying students’ voices. Theater promotes an awareness of others' experiences and offers a hands-on means of developing empathy. Lessons learned extend far beyond the workshop and mentorship period.
We forge an ongoing community dialogue through our Play Hotel series of workshops, open rehearsals, free readings, and free and discount tickets to our world premiere productions.
A few of the recent success stories we’d like to highlight:
Vanessa Peréda-Felix interned on Colt Coeur’s production of Zürich in 2018 and was hired to co-lead the Education Initiative in 2020. She is also newly a company member and one of the mentors in the Mentorship Program.
Sidikha Ashraf interned on Colt Coeur’s production of Eureka Day in 2019 and put her double major in public health and theater (Wellesley ‘19) to use when she assembled a panel of public health experts and moderated a post-show talkback with them. Sidikha’s work with Colt Coeur helped open doors leading to a full-time artistic position with the New Group in the 2019-2020 season.
Ian Saint-Germain was a student in Colt Coeur’s 2016 Education Initiative and performed in the 2018 world premiere of Lindsey Ferrentino’s This Flat Earth at Playwrights Horizons. (This Flat Earth was also featured in Colt Coeur’s Parity Plays Festival!)
Curious about our annual Education Initiative free theatre camp?
Check out the video and read on below!
DUE TO the covid-19 pandemic, we offerED our 2020-2022 programs virtually. We are returnED to an in-person camp in april 2023!
Company members and theatre professionals serve as the Teaching Artists for this free annual play-making intensive which we typically offer NYC public school students ages 11-15 during the NYC public school Spring break. Student alums of the program return as paid Student Leaders and professional actors and playwrights serve as our Teaching Artists. Our 2023 program is led by Kelcey Anyá (email: cocoplaymaking@gmail.com).
Click here for more info about our 2022 program, running from March 5th - April 3, 2022.
Watch our video documenting our 2020 program here!
Our Mentorship Program launched in the summer of 2020 and connects professional actors, playwrights and designers with BIPOC alumni of the Education Initiative. If you are interested in being a Mentor please email coltcoeur@gmail.com. You must participate in the annual Education Initiative ‘theater camp’ to be eligible to be a Mentee.
PAST WORKSHOPS
Teacher? Student? Parent?
Email CoCOPLAYMAKING@gmail.com
to learn more about these free programs.
The Colt Coeur Education Initiative is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature; and the New York City Department Of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.