Theater's freshest faces are being ushered in by CreateHer, heralding a new era in theatrical performances.
Empowering the Next Generation of Theater Creatives: CreateHer Makes a Difference
In a world where the average Broadway ticket price soars above $128, making theater access a challenge for many, a groundbreaking program called CreateHer is paving the way for gender diversity and inclusivity in the industry.
Founded by Marisa Lee, a vocalist, performance coach, and mentor with a passion for empowering underrepresented voices, CreateHer is a free weekend program for aspiring playwrights and producers. The program, co-founded by Shira Wolf, Hannah Rosenthal, and Danielle DeMatteo, aims to break down barriers in a male-dominated field and provide a space for women and non-binary young creatives in the theater world.
The program, which takes place over eighteen weeks, includes two tracks: the producer track and the playwright track, each with four students. Over the course of the program, students learn about theater logistics, budgeting, marketing, and playwriting, while also gaining invaluable insights from guest speakers such as producers, company managers, directors, and figures like Faith Porter who teach about diversity, equity, and inclusion.
During the final presentation, students come together with professional directors and actors for a read-through of their student-written material. This year, the final presentation took place at the Connelly Theater in the East Village, where four plays written by CreateHer students were performed, including "Nietzsche Walks Into a Bar," "My Perfect Stranger," and "Adeam." The performances were met with enthusiasm from the audience, with lines like "How'd the recession treat you?" and "I know about the doppelgänger..." sparking laughter and intrigue.
In addition to their own creations, students also get to experience the rich toolbox of the New York City theater scene through viewings of Broadway and Off-Broadway shows. CreateHer provides free tickets to its students, making theater more accessible and fostering a sense of community.
The program also offers a first-hand professional experience for the students, enlightening their interests while expanding their knowledge about the interworking of rehearsal in theater. The cohort of CreateHer students even got to see the behind-the-scenes of the dance production named "Illinoise," produced by Hannah Rosenthal.
After the semester ends, the CreateHer family, consisting of students, mentors, and industry professionals, remains supportive. Resources like the Theater Development Fund (TDF) and TodayTix offer more reasonably priced ticket offers, but access is still an issue. CreateHer continues to make a difference by providing a supportive and nurturing environment for young, aspiring playwrights and producers to thrive and succeed in the theater industry.
[1] For more information about Marisa Lee and her work, visit her website.
- Marisa Lee, aside from being a vocalist and performance coach, is also a mentor with a focus on empowering underrepresented voices, notably in the realms of theater photography, features, and lifestyle.
- The CreateHer program, founded by Lee and collaborators, extends its scope beyond theater-specific issues, offering guidance on news, fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, home-and-garden, and relationships as well.
- As part of the program, students have the opportunity to learn from guest speakers in various fields, such as those in career-development, education-and-self-development, and personal-growth, in addition to their theater-centric instruction.
- Reflecting the program's comprehensive approach, CreateHer alumni have gone on to pursue a variety of passionate endeavors, including but not limited to entrepreneurship, journalism, and advocacy – all areas encompassed by the concepts of news, lifestyle, and personal-growth.
- In a culture that values networking and professional connections, CreateHer fosters a deep sense of community among students, alumni, and mentors, enabling them to support one another in their future trajectories.
- Such ventures as news platforms, fashion magazines, travel blogs, education websites, or even food-and-drink review sites might find themselves strengthened by the inclusion of a CreateHer member, an individual well-versed in the arts and committed to creating an equitable world.
