Whether applied to the artistry on the stages of Lincoln Center Theater or to in-class learning, Open Stages stands for the power of theater to ignite the imagination.

"Open Stages helps my students to connect deeply with characters with whom they might not otherwise identify. Isn't that what art is all about?"
English teacher, High School for Fashion Industries

All season long, more than 3,000 New York City public high school students take their rightful places in our audience. For some, Open Stages means a first visit to the theater and to Lincoln Center. Both the students and the theater are transformed.

Open Stages stands for excellent theater and first-rate education.

Open Stages is hands-on
In Open Stages, students and teachers use theater to enhance their powers of critical thinking and creative expression, and to celebrate the human spirit.

Open Stages is creative teaching
Teachers receive professional development to use theater to deepen student engagement and promote collaborative learning.

Open Stages is a partner with New York City's public schools
Our core high school and middle school programs operate at no cost to schools. Open Stages nurtures deep partnerships with schools that lack the resources to sustain specialized arts programming.