Collaborations with community organizations allow the studio to bring vital, life-affirming experiences to severely under served populations. These programs focus on providing students with an opportunity to learn and practice the techniques developed by Stella Adler, while discovering their voice in the world through play-writing and performance projects. Led by professional teachers and a team of Adler Ambassadors (volunteer alumni and full-time conservatory students) an ensemble is formed as all artists work together to create new, original work. The material is performed at each off-site facility as well as at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting. Partners have included New York City Department of Education (NYC DOE) schools, alternative classrooms, recovery programs and correctional facilities.
NYC DOE partnerships respond to the needs of high schools, middle schools and elementary schools, providing teachers and students with free acting classes in their classrooms. School partnerships create an opportunity for students to learn and practice acting techniques developed by Stella Adler taught by a team of trained professionals. Every in-school experience is custom designed to complement the daily lesson plan of the teacher, so that the workshop offers students a creative, holistic approach to their studies. Schools are selected 1) that serve low-income students, 2) which demonstrate lack of arts programming, 3) that have a principal and a classroom teacher who are both engaged with the program are prioritized. Partner schools agree that the classroom teacher agrees to take the class along with their students and that the principal and teacher agree to facilitate feedback on the quality of the program.
Current Partnerships
Community Partnerships:
- Rikers Island
- Phoenix House NY/LI
- Odyssey House
- Educational Alliance: Center for Recovery and Wellness
- Samaritan Daytop Village:
- Van Wyck Residential Treatment Program
- Richmond Hill Medically Assisted Treatment and Recovery Center
- Ed Thompson Veterans Program
- 43rd Street Veterans Program
- Young Mothers Program
- PARC (Peer Alliance Recovery Center) Queens
- PARC (Peer Alliance Recovery Center) Bronx
- Jamaica Outpatient Program
- Fortune Society
- Exodus Transitional Community
- The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center
- Urban Resource Institute – Brighter Days
- First Corinthian Baptist Church
- Uptown Collective
School Partnerships:
- X367 Archimedes Academy for Math, Science and Technology Applications
- PS 241 STEM Institute of Manhattan
- PS 200 James McCune Smith School
- M515 Lower East Side Preparatory High School
- M494 High School of Arts and Technology
- PS/IS 102 Bayview