Act 2
Program
Act 2 is a full year, application-only program for female high school students entering their Junior or Senior year. This group of 8-10 students attend Broadway shows with post-show talkbacks, tour scenic/props studios, and are each paired with a mentor to guide them as they pursue secondary education. The program runs September-May and is completely free for students.
To apply, fill out the form on our website (made available each spring). Applications are accepted between June-August, and selected Act 2 students are notified by email in the beginning of September.
APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS
Young women, ages 14-18, interested in learning about career pathways into the backstage theatrical arts. Contact us for more information.
PROGRAMMING
Performances and Talkbacks
Students attend Broadway and off-Broadway performances followed by question and answer sessions with female backstage professionals (e.g., producers, directors, designers and crew of the show)
Studio Tours
Students have the opportunity to tour scenic studios as a way to provide exposure to the construction and design of theatrical sets, costumes and props (e.g., prop houses, costume shops, construction shops, etc.).
Workshops
Students attend workshops with panels of seasoned professionals discussing the requirements and benefits of memberships in various theatrical unions.
Mentoring and Internships
We connect young women with our vast network of successful female backstage professionals for mentoring and internship opportunities.
Upcoming
Events
Open Stage partners with Broadway's top shows and design shops to expose young women to the thrill of working backstage. All events and opportunities are completely free to students.
Past
Events
November 11th, 2019
In November, Act 2 students toured Propstar, an almost entirely female props shop right in midtown Manhattan! The owner of the shop lead students on an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour.
October 18th, 2019
To kick off the fall semester, Act 2 students attended a performance of Wicked at the Gershwin Theater. The show was followed by a talkback with female backstage crew members.
May 20th, 2019
On May 20th, students from the Academy for Careers in Television and Film toured Steiner Studios. Located in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, Steiner Studios is a 580,000 square foot Hollywood-style production and support facility. The studio tour was led by Local 52 member Jenny Kane.
April 30th, 2019
On April 30th, students from Repertory Company High School for the Arts attended a performance of What the Constitution Means to Me. The performance was followed by an exclusive question and answer session with female backstage crew, including Open Stage Project Advisory Board Member Arabella Powell, the Production Stage Manager for the play.
April 9th, 2019
In order to teach young women the benefits and requirements of theater and film union membership, Open Stage Project hosted the first-ever Female Union Panel. This panel brought together professional women in IATSE and AFM, industry professionals, and high school women to discuss union membership.
March 27th, 2019
Students from the Academy for Careers in Television and Film attended a performance of Kinky Boots, followed by a talkback with seven female members of the backstage crew.
March 20th, 2019
On March 20th, students from Fordham High School for the Arts attended a performance of Disney's Frozen on Broadway. The performance was followed by a Q & A with backstage crew members from the audio, stage management, and wardrobe departments.
March 13th, 2019
Along with Company Manager Margaret Skoglund, students from Repertory Company High School for Theatre Arts attended a technical rehearsal for What the Constitution Means to Me on Broadway. Students will also have a chance to see a full performance of the show and attend a Q & A with female backstage crew on April 17th at 2:00pm.
March 12th, 2019
Open Stage Project was featured as one of five Changemakers at this year's Women's Day on Broadway at the St. James Theatre. The founder of Open Stage Project, Elsa Ward, was joined on stage by Repertory Company High School for Theatre Arts student Nilsa Fitts.
March 6th, 2019
Students from Edward R. Murrow High School attended a performance of The Prom, followed by a talkback with the Lighting Designer, Stage Manager, and Spotlight Operator for the production.
February 7th, 2019
Open Stage Project toured Hudson Scenic with an incredible group of theatre students from Laguardia High School. We learned the process of putting together a set from start to finish, and saw behind the scenes work on pieces for Hadestown and Oklahoma! led by our fantastic tour guide, Carrie, the Production Manager.
December 11, 2018
Students from Repertory Theater High School in Manhattan at Once On This Island.
Upcoming
Events
Open Stage partners with Broadway's top shows and design shops to expose young women to the thrill of working backstage. All events and opportunities are completely free to students.
Past
Events
November 11th, 2019
In November, Act 2 students toured Propstar, an almost entirely female props shop right in midtown Manhattan! The owner of the shop lead students on an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour.
October 18th, 2019
To kick off the fall semester, Act 2 students attended a performance of Wicked at the Gershwin Theater. The show was followed by a talkback with female backstage crew members.
May 20th, 2019
On May 20th, students from the Academy for Careers in Television and Film toured Steiner Studios. Located in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, Steiner Studios is a 580,000 square foot Hollywood-style production and support facility. The studio tour was led by Local 52 member Jenny Kane.
April 30th, 2019
On April 30th, students from Repertory Company High School for the Arts attended a performance of What the Constitution Means to Me. The performance was followed by an exclusive question and answer session with female backstage crew, including Open Stage Project Advisory Board Member Arabella Powell, the Production Stage Manager for the play.
April 9th, 2019
In order to teach young women the benefits and requirements of theater and film union membership, Open Stage Project hosted the first-ever Female Union Panel. This panel brought together professional women in IATSE and AFM, industry professionals, and high school women to discuss union membership.
March 27th, 2019
Students from the Academy for Careers in Television and Film attended a performance of Kinky Boots, followed by a talkback with seven female members of the backstage crew.
March 20th, 2019
On March 20th, students from Fordham High School for the Arts attended a performance of Disney's Frozen on Broadway. The performance was followed by a Q & A with backstage crew members from the audio, stage management, and wardrobe departments.
March 13th, 2019
Along with Company Manager Margaret Skoglund, students from Repertory Company High School for Theatre Arts attended a technical rehearsal for What the Constitution Means to Me on Broadway. Students will also have a chance to see a full performance of the show and attend a Q & A with female backstage crew on April 17th at 2:00pm.
March 12th, 2019
Open Stage Project was featured as one of five Changemakers at this year's Women's Day on Broadway at the St. James Theatre. The founder of Open Stage Project, Elsa Ward, was joined on stage by Repertory Company High School for Theatre Arts student Nilsa Fitts.
March 6th, 2019
Students from Edward R. Murrow High School attended a performance of The Prom, followed by a talkback with the Lighting Designer, Stage Manager, and Spotlight Operator for the production.
February 7th, 2019
Open Stage Project toured Hudson Scenic with an incredible group of theatre students from Laguardia High School. We learned the process of putting together a set from start to finish, and saw behind the scenes work on pieces for Hadestown and Oklahoma! led by our fantastic tour guide, Carrie, the Production Manager.
Upcoming
Events
Open Stage partners with Broadway's top shows and design shops to expose young women to the thrill of working backstage. All events and opportunities are completely free to students.
Past
Events
November 11th, 2019
In November, Act 2 students toured Propstar, an almost entirely female props shop right in midtown Manhattan! The owner of the shop lead students on an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour.
October 18th, 2019
To kick off the fall semester, Act 2 students attended a performance of Wicked at the Gershwin Theater. The show was followed by a talkback with female backstage crew members.
May 20th, 2019
On May 20th, students from the Academy for Careers in Television and Film toured Steiner Studios. Located in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, Steiner Studios is a 580,000 square foot Hollywood-style production and support facility. The studio tour was led by Local 52 member Jenny Kane.
April 30th, 2019
On April 30th, students from Repertory Company High School for the Arts attended a performance of What the Constitution Means to Me. The performance was followed by an exclusive question and answer session with female backstage crew, including Open Stage Project Advisory Board Member Arabella Powell, the Production Stage Manager for the play.
April 9th, 2019
In order to teach young women the benefits and requirements of theater and film union membership, Open Stage Project hosted the first-ever Female Union Panel. This panel brought together professional women in IATSE and AFM, industry professionals, and high school women to discuss union membership.
March 27th, 2019
Students from the Academy for Careers in Television and Film attended a performance of Kinky Boots, followed by a talkback with seven female members of the backstage crew.
March 20th, 2019
On March 20th, students from Fordham High School for the Arts attended a performance of Disney's Frozen on Broadway. The performance was followed by a Q & A with backstage crew members from the audio, stage management, and wardrobe departments.
March 13th, 2019
Along with Company Manager Margaret Skoglund, students from Repertory Company High School for Theatre Arts attended a technical rehearsal for What the Constitution Means to Me on Broadway. Students will also have a chance to see a full performance of the show and attend a Q & A with female backstage crew on April 17th at 2:00pm.
March 12th, 2019
Open Stage Project was featured as one of five Changemakers at this year's Women's Day on Broadway at the St. James Theatre. The founder of Open Stage Project, Elsa Ward, was joined on stage by Repertory Company High School for Theatre Arts student Nilsa Fitts.
March 6th, 2019
Students from Edward R. Murrow High School attended a performance of The Prom, followed by a talkback with the Lighting Designer, Stage Manager, and Spotlight Operator for the production.
February 7th, 2019
Open Stage Project toured Hudson Scenic with an incredible group of theatre students from Laguardia High School. We learned the process of putting together a set from start to finish, and saw behind the scenes work on pieces for Hadestown and Oklahoma! led by our fantastic tour guide, Carrie, the Production Manager.
December 11, 2018
Students from Repertory Theater High School in Manhattan at Once On This Island.
April 22, 2018
Open Stage Project participants from the Fordham High School for Performing Arts attended a performance of Saint Joan at Manhattan Theatre Club. The performance was followed by a backstage conversation with Tony-nominated costume designer, Jane Greenwood.
Click below to donate to Open Stage Project and help get more women backstage!