Our teaching artists hold MFAs and off-Broadway credits, and bring years of experience directing young people to our stages. Our rehearsal process is both thrilling and rigorous. Productions are capped at 12 students and led by dedicated teaching artists, with live musicians for our musicals and individualized coaching for our Shakespeare shows. Because we keep grade bands close and groups small, every teacher deeply knows every student, and casting is thoughtful and deliberate, with plenty of rich material for each performer to work with.
Weekly benchmarks of learning lines, choreography, and songs for the musicals, break down the monumental task of mounting a full production into achievable steps. Child’s Play NY’s signature improvisation exercises and research-backed theater games fuel creativity and encourage bold artistic choices. Each show is rehearsed and performed on a real stage, with simple costumes to bring excitement and joy to the culminating event. We’ve staged scores of productions since 2009 and are the chosen theater arts provider at top Brooklyn schools, including Packer Collegiate Institute, Berkeley Carroll School, PS8, PS29, PS58, PS11, PS10, PS154, Arts and Letters 305 United, Brooklyn New School, International School of Brooklyn and others in NYC. Child’s Play NY is led by founder Jocelyn Greene, who holds an MFA from NYU and has spent two decades directing young performers in LA and New York, with credits at the Public Theater and Shakespeare Festival/LA. Recognized by Forbes and NY Magazine as a kids’ theater expert and a frequent guest on education podcasts, Jocelyn now leads a team of 35 teaching artists, giving Child’s Play NY a depth of talent and expertise that make it a family favorite in Brooklyn.
What Parents Are Saying
“I can’t tell you how great we feel Child’s Play is and has been for our son. His dedication to rehearsal and what the memorization does for his brain are invaluable. I believe that Child’s Play has been enormously beneficial and I’m grateful for the space you and your artist teachers provide.” — Bobby Cannavale
“Child’s Play is magical! They nurture an environment that makes both Shakespearean plays and contemporary musicals fun and engaging. Our son absolutely loves it. His confidence and enthusiasm for imagination, language, and creativity has grown so much. We couldn’t be happier!” — Annaleigh Ashford and Joe Tapper
“Child’s Play introduces kids to the magic of theater– building confidence, a sense of community, and most importantly, just plain fun.” — Liz Meriwether
