The Play's the Thing: Curtain Up on New York's Theatre Scene

Register for this Spring 2024 course on the new NYU SPS Academy of Lifelong Learning website for The Play's the Thing Section 1 or The Play's the Thing Section 2.
Millions flock to New York City to see its most popular and enduring attractions. It’s not the Statue of Liberty or the Empire State Building—it’s Broadway and Off-Broadway. In this class, learn many of the reasons why that is—and how it happens. What makes a play work from the ground up? How are musicals created? Does what happens in rehearsal make or break even the best shows? And why do tickets cost so much? Through a fun but rigorous mix of lectures, readings, discussions, meetings with working theatre professionals, and attendance at live productions, you will see for yourself that what goes on before the curtain rises and after it falls is sometimes just as fascinating—if not more—as what audiences see on stage. Spring 2024 tuition is $699.

More details

You'll Walk Away with

  • The experience of seeing five current productions—four Broadway and one Off-Broadway
  • An understanding of New York’s theatre scene

Ideal for

  • All members of the community—working, retired, and in between
  • The curious and creative

2 sections

  • Spring 2024

    • Section

      001
    • Semester

      Spring 2024
    • Date

      Feb 28 - May 8
    • Day

      Wednesday
    • Time

      12:30PM-2:00PM
      • In-Person
    • Format

      In-Person
      • In-Person
    • Sessions

      10
    • Faculty

      Zam, Michael
    • Location

      Midtown Center
    Website registration is not available. Please call (212) 998-7150 for more information on how to enroll.
    • Section

      002
    • Semester

      Spring 2024
    • Date

      Feb 28 - May 8
    • Day

      Wednesday
    • Time

      2:05PM-3:35PM
      • In-Person
    • Format

      In-Person
      • In-Person
    • Sessions

      10
    • Faculty

      Zam, Michael
    • Location

      Midtown Center
    Website registration is not available. Please call (212) 998-7150 for more information on how to enroll.
Toggle

    • Section

      3
    • Semester

      Fall 2023
    • Date

      Sep 27 - Dec 6
    • Day

      Wednesday
    • Time

      12:30PM-2:00PM
      • In-Person
    • Format

      In-Person
      • In-Person
    • Sessions

      10
    • Faculty

      Zam, Michael
    • Location

      Midtown Center
    • Section

      4
    • Semester

      Fall 2023
    • Date

      Sep 27 - Dec 6
    • Day

      Wednesday
    • Time

      2:05PM-3:35PM
      • In-Person
    • Format

      In-Person
      • In-Person
    • Sessions

      10
    • Faculty

      Zam, Michael
    • Location

      Midtown Center