If creating theatre is the heart of what Irondale does, our soul is working with youth and children. We offer a variety of free programs designed to engage young people not only in the mechanics of making theatre, but also to help them find their authentic voices as they navigate the path from childhood to early adulthood. No prior experience is necessary, just a willingness to play.
For middle school students (ages 10–14), the Junior Company provides a hands-on experience with acting, improvising and ensemble-building. Junior Company students often progress to the Young Company at age 14.
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Young Company is Irondale’s pre-professional training program for high school students (ages 14–18). The ensemble develops scripted (often original) and improvised work for public performance twice each year and offers internships in all aspects of operating a theatre company.
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For students who would rather be behind the scenes, Irondale offers a way to learn about the various elements of technical theater and produce the Teen Ensemble’s Summer Show.
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Irondale’s STEM to STEAM program uses the skills of theatrical improvisation to help science students learn to become better communicators. With Irondale they will be able to turn information into knowledge.
LEARN MOREThanks to generous support from the Pierre and Tana Matisse Foundation, The Pinkerton Foundation, and ConEdison, Axe-Houghton Foundation our youth programs are offered at no cost to participants.
Irondale works with a number of schools to deliver in-school residencies, curriculum enhancement programs and theatre partnerships.
Inspired by the 2012 Irondale production, Color Between the Lines, and in partnership with the Brooklyn Center for History and the Weeksville Heritage Center, Irondale offers Devising History , a program which uses theatre to reanimate historic source material.
If you would like to talk about hosting a residency in your school, contact Sam Metzger at sam@irondale.org.
The Theatre of Empathy is a new umbrella program that encapsulates several of Irondale’s flagship community-building programs — To Protect, Serve, and Understand/TPSU™ and Exact Communication™. These programs help participants of all ages and experiences find the common humanity that binds us while defying the fear and tension that can separate us. Collectively, these programs, and new programs in the works in the 2024/2025 season, expand our empathy-building work and impact with people in need.
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Has your company, institution or research laboratory missed out on opportunities, funding, or relationships because you struggled to communicate effectively? Irondale’s Exact Communication program gives you the skills and techniques you need to connect and make an impact. Our team of professional coaches share the core principle that effective communication happens when we understand who our “audience” is, approach each communication with empathy, and have a clear goal.
Theatre unfolds around us on a daily basis. In response to the 2015 death of Eric Garner at the hands of NYC police officers, Irondale created a program to help police and community members build trust and mutual understanding.
LEARN MORELEARN MOREFor over 40 years, the Irondale Ensemble has pioneered fresh approaches to performance, blending research, play, and exploration to bring theatre to life. Alongside this work, they’ve developed innovative strategies for applying acting techniques to address real-world challenges. Now, the founders are eager to pass the knowledge they’ve accumulated to the next generation of theatre makers, teaching artists and improvisers. More class series coming soon—don’t miss this unique opportunity to learn from Barbara Mackenzie-Wood, Jim Niesen and Terry Greiss.
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