About Us

Our Vision

TADA!’s vision is that all young people grow up feeling successful, creative, confident, accepted, and accepting of themselves. Through the ability of people learning to express themselves well we can break down barriers of racism and inequality and create positive, active citizens.

Our Mission

TADA! Youth Theater’s mission since 1984 has been to provide young people from different social, racial, economic, and cultural backgrounds with musical theater programs that inspire them to learn, be creative, and think differently through high-quality productions, positive youth development, and education programs.

History

TADA! is a unique Drama Desk award-winning nonprofit youth theater that produces original musicals for children, teens, and family audiences. TADA! offers a free, year-round, pre-professional training and positive youth development program for the Resident Youth Ensemble (ages 8-18); musical theater classes/camps for the public; as well as musical theater residencies in NYC schools and community centers. Through TADA!’s high-quality work, young people’s self-confidence and creativity are enhanced, which develops advanced skills in leadership, communication, responsibility, collaboration, and problem-solving – skills that help with growing up and are essential to their success both in school and in life. Esteemed TADA! Ensemble alumni include Academy Award winner Jordan Peele (now a member of the TADA! Board of Directors), Kerry Washington (Little Fires Everywhere, Scandal), Josh Peck (Grandfathered, Ice Age, Drake & Josh), Mizuo Peck (A Night at the Museum 1, 2, and 3), Sasha Allen (The Publics’, For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When The Rainbow Is Enuf), Amar Ramasar (Principal Dancer, NYC Ballet and lead in Broadway’s, West Side Story), Ricardo A. Zayas (City Center’s Evita, Film –West Side Story), and Sheldon Henry (Tina, The Tina Turner Musical). Ensemble Members and Alumni have also appeared on Broadway in The Lion King, Kinky Boots, Matilda, Carousel, Hamilton, The Prom, Hair, and Head Over Heels.

A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Antiracist Statement

TADA! has been unpacking and examining what it means to be an antiracist, multicultural organization and a leader within the youth theater and arts education fields.

TADA! is committed to providing every child an opportunity to create, imagine, learn, and experience the joy of musical theater, regardless of race, ethnicity, class, religion, gender, sexual orientation, ability, nationality, and immigration status.

We admit that we don’t have all the answers right now, but what we do know is that we must embrace change to reflect the mission, vision, and values of TADA! as it stands today.

Overview of Programs

Resident Youth Ensemble of TADA! (RYET)

At the heart of TADA! is the Resident Youth Ensemble, a unique, award-winning, completely free, pre-professional theater training and positive youth development program, which annually serves between 60-80 children aged 8 -18. Membership into the Ensemble is by audition only. Once in the Ensemble, members receive free training in theater etiquette, dance, voice, and acting, as well as valuable experiences that teach life skills such as time management, discipline, accountability, and conflict resolution. Members perform in Mainstage productions and at special events throughout NYC.
For more details visit our Resident Youth Ensemble page.

Education

TADA!’s Education Department provides unique and engaging arts programming that inspires students from all racial, economic, and social backgrounds. We specialize in musical theater and the co-creating of original work through singing, dancing, and acting. For over thirty-five years TADA! has offered year-long classes and camps at our onsite location as well as in-school residencies and after-school programming in both public and private schools all across New York City and the five boroughs. Everything that we teach at TADA! is rooted in the core belief that we are better together. All programming is based on ensemble-building techniques that facilitate an equitable and active learning environment where cooperative, personal, and creative growth are fostered in a structured and supportive setting.
For more details visit our Education Department page.

Production

TADA!’s original thought-provoking, innovative and socially relevant musical theater productions are commissioned specifically for performances by the Resident Youth Ensemble. These musicals have been written, scored, arranged, directed, choreographed and designed by artists with backgrounds in Broadway, Off-Broadway, television, recording and film industry.
Productions run for 17 – 35 performances, unlike other youth theater companies, and are intended for young audiences and their families. TADA!’s themes often empower performers and audiences to realize that they are vital members of society who can make the world a better place. Written specifically for their age group, productions are designed to address the needs of today’s youth and teens. Themes such as self-acceptance, acceptance of others, family life, growing up, finding your place in the world, and bullying are typical subjects that members and audiences can relate to.
For more details visit our Artistic Overview page.

Information and photos taken from the site: www.tadatheater.com

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