Our Mission
To help people of all ages and all walks of life achieve their potential through a creative process that is infused with opening one’s imagination, educational rigor, and developing artistic principles and skills.
The Actors Theatre Workshop is an award-winning non-profit theatre, community center, and educational institution that teaches innovative educational techniques and theatre principles to adults and children; produces classical and contemporary plays that maintain the highest artistic standards; and develops new dramatic works that examine the social issues of the day. We seek to create harmony and understanding among difference so we can come together as a community to forge ahead and create a new vision for the future.
Since 1990, ATW has flourished as an artistic leader in the field, producing award-winning educational programs and productions that develop individual potential, create tangible change, and liberate the talents and abilities in people from all walks of life
The Actors Theatre Workshop was founded over three decades ago by master theatre artist Thurman E. Scott in a studio on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. In 1990, with an outpouring of public and private support, we opened our doors to a theatre complex and performance space in Chelsea. Since then, we have flourished, expanding programming and serving thousands of children and adults.
Thurman E. Scott tested what he learned on his journey of life and the study of drama to improve upon what he had been taught and add a deeper understanding in order to confront the past, illuminate the present, and utilize new discoveries and methods as we go into the future. He has created new writing and drama techniques that we use in our theatrical productions and community programs. As his mentor Stella Adler said, “Thurman E. Scott is a creative revolutionary. His demand for truth in artistic expression and in the theatre he creates is relentless. Thurman’s vision is big. Very big. He has never ever compromised himself, his talent, his beliefs, or his willingness to meet and surpass all creative challenges. His work advances acting technique for the next generation.”
ATW serves as a catalyst for people of all ages to develop in three ways: artistically, personally, and as contributing community members. We produce educational programming to advance individual potential, create tangible change, and liberate the talents and abilities in people from all walks of life. We also provide training in original theatre techniques, where people gain tools to help themselves and use what they’ve learned to help others. We do this in a number of ways: by producing classical and contemporary plays that maintain the highest artistic standards; by developing new dramatic works that examine current events and social issues; by training the next generation of theatre artists in our original creative-process technique; by providing award-winning drama and education programs for housing-insecure youth; and by encouraging our participants to put what they learn into practice in their own lives and in the world.
Financials
Programs
Builders of the New World
Sulma Arzu-Brown was a very shy 12 year old girl who had never left her South Bronx neighborhood. Like many children in our programs, when Sulma arrived at ATW she didn’t see herself as a leader and didn’t know what steps to take to improve her life and her community. Then she came to our program, which has changed the lives of thousands of at-risk and homeless youth for over 28 years. By the time she graduated from ATW’s drama program, Sulma had found her voice and gained a foundation for future success.
Today, Sulma is a nationally recognized author and stands as a progressive voice for her community in the South Bronx. She has created what she describes as a “beautiful life” with her wonderful husband and two curious and articulate daughters. And she credits her success to the lessons she learned from ATW’s Artistic Director and Founder Thurman E. Scott. Click here to hear more about Sulma’s experience.
I came from all the noise to a safe haven. Thurman [E. Scott] saw who I really was and gave me that voice and power to say, ‘Sulma, you can change the world.’ From that moment on my voice mattered.
Sulma Arzu-Brown, BNW alumna, nationally-acclaimed author, and Director of Operations at the NYC Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Many of our graduates have overcome extraordinary circumstances and found success in positions such as fashion designers, social workers, musicians, and teachers. Over the years, countless young adults have come back to visit our theatre and share the difference we made in their lives.
BNW Features
Builders of the New World explores three main topics through original theatre and education techniques that improve their reading, writing, and presentation skills. They learn to have an intention in life, and draw and write about their visions for the future.
Discipline and Love
We create a loving yet disciplined environment with high expectations for each child. They learn they’re never too young to confront and overcome obstacles in their way. By seeing how Mr. Scott and their mentors believe in them, they begin to believe they can participate in society, improve their lives, and succeed.
Participating in our Democracy
We teach the children that they must work to bring service to their community, by leading, voting, organizing and participating in our democracy. They learn how to present themselves at job interviews, and to approach institutions – banks, city council, the police – upheld by community support for their ideas.
Being Seen
The children rehearse their original monologues, and then have the unforgettable experience of presenting their visions to an invited audience of family, friends, and important NYC business, government, and educational leaders. This graduation is a life-changing experience for the students and their mentors.
These invaluable experiences let the children see first-hand their power to make an impact in the world. They learn they can be seen — an idea that strikes at the heart of homelessness, which can be an existential struggle of invisibility.
By the time the children graduate, they have fully embraced their new mantle as Builders of the New World. These proud, confident, and poised young leaders have developed inspiring visions for the future and, most importantly, gained the tools to make an impact in the world and achieve their dreams.
Nearly 10,000 young people have been transformed into community builders through this program. Will you help support the next 10,000?
Our Young Builders of the New World Need You
When our children walk through ATW’s doors, not only do they benefit from life-changing theatre and education classes, they start to feel a sense of ownership of one of NYC’s cultural institutions during a time where their lives contain uncertainty and instability. And you can be a central part of the transformation they will experience by volunteering with us. Your presence, belief, love, compassion, and support can transform uncertainty into opportunity!
Corporate Creativity Training: The Power of Process
Our Corporate Creativity Training, The Power of Process, is designed for executives at all levels, across all industries – from finance to media and entertainment to healthcare—who want to strengthen their leadership, strategy, and communication skills. Combining original creative techniques and Shakespeare monologues, the program will develop your imagination, free your creative expression, and increase effectiveness and productivity to enhance your work and life.
Presence and Communication
Develop a stronger, more impactful presence. Learn how to present yourself with greater ease, communicate with clarity and confidence, and make a meaningful impression on whomever you encounter.
Strategy
You will practice exercises that will help you think more spontaneously, analyze situations creatively, and develop thoughtful and penetrating operating strategies.
Leadership
Learn techniques that will strengthen your capacity to lead, inspire employees, and successfully manage your organization through any stage of its lifecycle—from start-up, through growth, to leadership and maturity.
Great leaders inspire us to go beyond our perceived limitations and accomplish our dreams. When this happens pessimism and fear are transformed into hope and self-esteem, and productivity increases.
The Power of Process is taught by Thurman E. Scott, an award-winning theatre artist, master teacher and innovator of creative process. He wrote in his essay, All Humans are Creative Beings, that “creativity is the great equalizer,” meaning we all have the potential to create, to develop our unique creative birthright, and to fulfill their potential as true leaders.
In Private Coaching Sessions or Custom Classes designed for employee teams, you will:
Gain a deeper understanding of your product and the competitive forces you face in your business, and develop strategies to compete more successfully
Learn how to inspire your employees and demonstrate leadership
Command any presentation or discussion and leave a lasting impression on your audience
Generate new ideas and solutions with spontaneity and creativity
Become more productive in your daily life and work product; learn how to have more confidence and ease with everything you do
Contact Us Today!
Diversity Training: Connecting Through Creativity
Everyone’s DNA is unique. At ATW we welcome all people and address issues and teach techniques to combat the racial and cultural barriers that may divide us. You will see yourself and issues that you’re dealing with every day in our curriculum.
The need for diversity training exists because we struggle as a people and a society to accept that someone different than me exists on this earth and to feel connected to them. By developing curiosity and learning about the power and gift of difference, we break down the divide of “other.” This is an opportunity to grow, get clear about your vision for the future, and move beyond differences to find commonality.
The Connecting Through Creativity diversity training workshop lays out an intellectual framework to understand the issues, followed by hands-on training for people to practice the techniques.
Learn powerful techniques that will help you overcome division and gain a deeper understanding of people from different backgrounds
Build stronger, more empathetic and productive connections with your colleagues and the community
Strengthen your acceptance of difference and invest it in your business to reach more clients, expand your workforce and increase the productivity of your teams
Contribute to and participate in the national dialogue on racial difference, and be a part of helping to bring people together
Thurman E. Scott has taught his original creative process technique to executives all over the world to help them turn uncertainty into energy and hope using dramatic principles and exercises that strengthen the imagination and creativity. Mr. Scott has lived life across many communities: serving in the Strategic Air Command; training in classical theatre in England and Moscow; decades of professional success as an actor, director and producer; developing and teaching programs for prisoners, veterans, children experiencing homelessness, and professional actors.
Participants leave Connecting Through Creativity feeling more relaxed, open, and connected, saying, “It’s very reassuring and inspiring to be reminded that change can be really positive.” and “What I take away is to dream about how you can make tomorrow different, and how you’re going to be a part of that difference.”
Contact Us Today!
Arts Education
Our arts education mission is to connect the community through theatre, and address and confront the challenges we face as a society so we can move forward together and create positive change. Our Community Programs range across age groups and backgrounds to embrace the complexity and brilliance of this diverse community we call home. From Builders of the New World, which serves children experiencing homelessness, to our open-to-all Coming Together Through Creativity program and everything in-between, you’ll find a creative space for you to wrestle with the complexities and amplify the joys of life. Join us as we struggle, learn, and celebrate together through connection, empathy, and art.
Builders of the New World
ATW guides and teaches some of our most vulnerable young New Yorkers through our award-winning Builders of the New World program, created especially for children dealing with the tremendous instability of living in temporary housing facilities.
Our staff and a diverse group of volunteer mentors help create a warm, stable, homelike environment for the children where they meet new friends and enjoy delicious meals. We teach the children original theatre and education techniques that improve their reading, writing, and presentation skills. They learn to have an intention in life and draw and write about their visions for the future.
Be a part of this life-changing program!
Coming Together Through Creativity
Creativity is a powerful force and tool in times of great change.
Join ATW for the next session of our inspiring, interactive class and lecture series led by Artistic Director and Founder Thurman E. Scott: Coming Together Through Creativity.
Mr. Scott will share insights and techniques to bring people of different backgrounds and beliefs together, and help us accept each other. When diverse people join together they feel their power and encourage others to speak up. Connection and unity give us energy, and the courage to accept our individuality and common bonds. Now is our chance to develop new tools to meet the challenges ahead and reshape our country.
Mr. Scott will share insights and techniques to bring people of different backgrounds and beliefs together, and help us accept each other. When diverse people join together they feel their power and encourage others to speak up. Connection and unity give us energy, and the courage to accept our individuality and common bonds. Now is our chance to develop new tools to meet the challenges ahead and reshape our country.
Sign up on our Events page to listen to new insights, learn, and experience change from a master teacher of creative process. Once you register a Zoom link will be emailed to you!
Watch previous, live-streamed classes on our Facebook page and leave us a comment on what you learn.
Volunteering + Events
Volunteer
We are proud to offer a Volunteer Program for people and teams from all walks of life that leads to personal and professional development through creative training and community service, and provides an opportunity to make a meaningful commitment to our shared community through award-winning programs of The Actors Theatre Workshop.
Volunteers utilize their talents and expertise in a variety of areas to make important contributions to our organization and the community. Whether you have a few hours or the ability to make an ongoing commitment to ATW, we are grateful for your service and your generous contribution of your time and unique skills!
A Note for Teams: We welcome groups to serve together, especially in areas where they have shared skills or for a one-time service opportunity that fosters team-building. It is incredibly powerful for a group that has already had experience working together—as a professional team or in other volunteering capacities—to bring that chemistry and experience to work for the organization. If you would like to apply as a team, please fill out one application, note how many team members you would like to join, and we will connect with you to discuss further!
You Can Change a Life Today.
Ongoing
The volunteer program includes a regular weekly volunteer commitment that depends on the particular areas in which you volunteer. Different operating aspects of the theatre that volunteers may be involved with include: theatre administration, marketing & PR, fundraising, video production, facility maintenance & beautification, program/event/production support, graphic design, and grant writing.
Volunteers will be interviewed and invited to an information session where they will learn about the volunteer program guidelines and the different areas in which they can make an impact. After getting started, a short training period allows volunteers to learn about ATW’s core mission and creative philosophy while gaining hands-on knowledge of its operations.
Volunteers tell us that the experiences helped them develop their individual creative potential while also learning new skills that serve them in their professional endeavors and in their daily lives.
Read what some of our past Volunteers have to say about their experiences!
1-time
For those who can only offer service once, we remain grateful for your support and value your contribution to our community! Our primary opportunities are to help around the holidays for our Builders of the New World showcase and to support events throughout the year.
Play Readings with ATW Ensemble
Join us as the members of the Scott Acting Conservatory, under the direction of our own Artistic Director, Executive Producer and Founder, Thurman E. Scott, participate in open readings of contemporary and classic plays and plays-in-progress.
At the theatre, the audience never sees the fascinating development process that a production goes through—they only see the end result. Our Play Reading and Discussion series, It’s About All Of Us, invites our audience to witness the many complex steps that go into developing a play, as well as the power of the creative process during rehearsals. process in action. This requires extraordinary vulnerability by the actors as they work with the director and each other to plumb the depths of expression and discover the correct choices to bring the play to fruition. It also requires a respectful audience to accept and appreciate this beautiful, open process that has at its bedrock a creative ensemble that trusts one another. We invite you to bring your energy to this physical representation of the creative journey. We know you will find it as rewarding and illuminating as our actors do.