Mind the Gap, our intergenerational theatre program, connects young people and elders through the power of storytelling.
This free workshop matches New Yorkers age 60 and up with teens ages 14 to 19. Participants interview each other over the course of 12 sessions, learning about their partners’ lives and dreams. They write or devise short plays based on the material they gather and in a culminating celebration, hear their scripts read aloud by professional actors or perform their own work
The process is a profound exercise in empathy and listening. It fosters understanding between generations, and prompts participants to ask big questions of both themselves and others: What makes us who we are? How do larger circumstances shape our lives? And what are the common experiences that unite us all?
Mind the Gap workshops are held twice a year at NYTW and at community partner locations across New York City. We have also facilitated the program with several partners around the country and abroad. No playwriting experience is required to participate.
Elders and youth can participate in one of two versions of Mind the Gap:
Want to learn how you can participate in Mind the Gap? Contact us at mindthegap@nytw.org.
Want to bring Mind the Gap to your community? If you work with elders or teens and are interested in learning more about recruitment or becoming a Mind the Gap community-based partner, please contact Alexander Santiago-Jirau, Director of Education and Community Engagement, at AlexanderS@nytw.org.
MIND THE GAP – PLAYWRITING WORKSHOP – Winter/Spring 2024 (12 In-Person Sessions)
SESSIONS
Wednesdays 4-6pm, January 10 – March 27
Monday March 25 (Final Readings), Wednesday March 27 (Reflection Session)
No sessions on February 21
LOCATION
All sessions will take place at The Sheen Center, located at 18 Bleecker Street, New York, NY on the corner of Elizabeth and Bleecker.
APPLY HERE
Application Deadline:
FRIDAY DECEMBER 1 @ 11:59 PM ET.
The goals of the program are both to teach writing and theatre skills and foster better communication and understanding between these two age groups. No playwriting or theatre experience is necessary to participate in Mind the Gap.
Through the workshop participants are able to:
Want to bring Mind the Gap to your community? If you work with elders or teens and are interested in learning more about recruitment or becoming a Mind the Gap community-based partner, please contact Alexander Santiago-Jirau, Director of Education and Community Engagement, at AlexanderS@nytw.org.