On Stage Learning

At Trinity/La MaMa we put a strong focus on students creating their own original work and finding their individual artistic voice. Throughout the semester students devise pieces in a wide range of styles and genres, using different approaches. There is a vast amount of information to take in through the classes, workshops and the shows we attend. Creating their own work allows students to express their responses to these inspirations in a direct way. It presents the opportunity to try things out in a non-judgmental atmosphere and explore which strategies are most useful to each of them and what sparks their creative interest.  

Each Monday evening is dedicated to our “Monday Night Lab” where students show works in progress, get feed-back and also learn how to make productive, useful comments on each others pieces. The lab serves as a playground for exploration, with the invitation to wholeheartedly fail and learn from mistakes and successes equally. Students can work solo or collaborate with others or the entire group and are encouraged to try new constellations. 

The last part of the semester is dedicated to rehearsals of student work. With the help of the program director and feedback from NYC based artists and workshop instructors, students hone their pieces and get them ready for an audience. The culminating experience of the program are performances at Trinity College and at La MaMa ETC. This is a unique chance, not only to create a new piece, but to premiere original work at one of New York City’s most renowned theaters.