Welcome to the NYTW Blog—a resource for behind-the-scenes insights on our productions, share-outs from the classroom penned by teaching artists, community partner spotlights, and a peek behind the curtain to see how work gets made at NYTW.

How to Defend Yourself Study Guide

Dive into the world of How to Defend Yourself with the study guide created by our fantastic education and marketing teams. In addition to seeing the show and participating in a talkback with the cast, our teaching artists went to the partner schools for personalized lessons with each class.

March 21, 2023 by NYTW


A New Perspective

“Centered in humor, brutal honesty and healing, How to Defend Yourself is a play that explores what we want and how we can ask for it.” Co-directors Liliana Padilla, Rachel Chavkin, and Steph Paul talk creating the play and how it speaks to survivors.

March 10, 2023 by Lizzie Hyman for PEOPLE


Self-Defense with Rae Switlick & The Center for Anti-Violence Education

NYTW is thrilled to expand our partnership with The Center for Anti-Violence Education (CAE) to include Empowerment Self-Defense classes during the run of How To Defend Yourself. Want to learn more about self-defense or unsure of what to expect? We chatted with Rae Switlick, Empowerment Self Defense Program Manager for CAE (and one of the trainers for the Self-Defense classes at NYTW), about her experience with self defense and all the amazing work that CAE does!

February 24, 2023 by NYTW


NYTW SPOTLIGHT: Ann C. James

For February’s Community Spotlight, we are featuring the wonderful Ann C. James,  the Intimacy Coordinator who is currently working with the cast and creative team of How to Defend Yourself and the Founder of Intimacy Coordinators of Color.

February 16, 2023 by Phoebe Moore, NYTW Development Fellow