Park Avenue Youth Theatre (PAYT) is a community of artists utilizing theatre to explore the world around them. Professional directors work with students ages 3-18 years to assess the realities of our changing world from their perspectives, collaborate on possible individual and collective differences they can make and create a piece of live theatre to demonstrate what those differences might look like in real time.

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Each session is a combination of activities focused on building theatrical and collaborative skills. Directors assist in shaping new ideas and imaginations into an original play that is performed before an audience at the end of the semester.

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The program is entirely participant-centered, and all content is based on the interests and strengths of each class. Directors work from a trauma-informed lens to foster empathy and guide students towards identifying potential solutions.