Inside Broadway has been bringing theater programming directly from the stage to students across New York City for over four decades. Now, in celebration of its 45th anniversary, the educational program is gearing up for a sensational 2026-27 school season with a dazzling lineup of theater programming for students of all ages.

From providing behind-the-scenes looks at some of Broadway’s hottest shows to supplying resources for students to put on their own productions, Inside Broadway serves children from elementary school through high school, teaching them the ins-and-outs of the theater industry.

“This is a special year for Inside Broadway as we celebrate our 45th anniversary season, and we intend to mark this major milestone with a special lineup of programming,” said Michael Presser, who is founder, president and CEO of Inside Broadway. “Quality arts education is vital to youth development, and with the support of the New York City Council, NYC Department of Cultural Affairs and our local council members, we will continue to teach and uplift aspiring young artists and theatregoers for generations to come.”

Organized into three main programs — touring productions, Creating the Magic and Build A Musical — students will continue to have the opportunity to watch Broadway-quality productions, learn how Broadway shows are made, and have a chance to perform on stage in their very own production.

Upcoming 2026-27 programming:

“NYC Musical Mystery Melodies” theme announced for Build A Musical, an in-school residency reaching nearly 1,500 students in 50 schools throughout NYC over the course of 12 weeks. Teaching artists work with the students to learn the basic building blocks of a musical — including choreography, acting, voice, directing, set and costume design, lighting and sound — in a collaborative environment, teaching them critical social skills along the way. At the end of the program, students will apply what they’ve learned in a final musical showcase for family and their local community.
Creating the Magic will return this winter and offer approximately 1,000 NYC public school students a peek behind the curtain of a Broadway show. It is a fun, free and educational event that brings students directly into a Times Square theatre to learn about on and off-stage career opportunities that bring a Broadway musical to life. Actors, musicians, stage managers, sound and lighting, and other professionals will demonstrate the various jobs and skills required to work on a Broadway show.
“It’s A Grand Old Flag” announced for this year’s touring production, which will be visiting schools from January to March 2027. The Inside Broadway Acting Company will bring the magic of live theater directly into 50 school auditoriums throughout the season. These engaging and educational 45-minute live theater productions are designed to fit into a class period and connect to the curriculum. “It’s A Grand Old Flag,” honoring America’s 250th anniversary,  features music by George M. Cohan, who is widely considered one of the founding fathers of the Broadway musical.

Students clapped during Inside Broadway’s “Creating the Magic” program with the cast and crew of & Juliet at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre.Courtesy Elena Olivo

Inside Broadway started as a free ticket program for NYC students to see “Cats,” which is Broadway’s fifth-longest running musical to date. The program has since grown into one of NYC’s most impactful arts education organizations, introducing nearly three million NYC public school students to the magic of Broadway both on and off the stage. 

The many programs provided by Inside Broadway are funded by the New York City Council as part of Cultural After-School Adventures (CASA) grant,  with additional support from the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, the NYC Department of Education and the New York State Council on the Arts. 

City Council Speaker Julie Menin said the council is investing more than $17 million in after-school arts programming, including for Inside Broadway, through the CASA grant. She said as Inside Broadway celebrates 45 years of introducing thousands of public school students to the magic of live theater, this investment will give even more young New Yorkers free, hands-on access to the arts. 

“Arts education gives students a place to take risks, build confidence and discover talents they didn’t know they had,” said City Council Speaker Julie Menin. “Broadway is the cultural heartbeat of our city and a powerful economic engine that supports tens of thousands of jobs. By inspiring the next generation of artists, audiences, and creative leaders, we’re investing in New York City’s future both on and off the stage.”

Several Queens council members said they are proud to support Inside Broadway through CASA, emphasizing how important these programs are to students across the borough and the rest of New York City who often lack access to the arts.

“Inside Broadway has helped bring the magic of live theatre directly to our public school students for more than four decades,” said Council Member James F. Gennaro. “I congratulate Inside Broadway on this incredible milestone and another exciting season ahead.”

Council Member Shekar Krishnan said Inside Broadway brings “the best” of New York City’s performing arts directly into communities and public schools, especially in Jackson Heights and Elmhurst that lack critical green space. 

“I’m proud to support their continued work in my district and across the city,” Krishnan said. “Programs like Inside Broadway have allowed thousands of students to learn the joy of performance and expression and find community.”

Council Member Joann Ariola said Inside Broadway gives students a taste of the theater that they may never have had before.

“This can change a young person’s life and open doors they never even have known existed,” Ariola said. “I am extremely proud to fund this amazing organization, and I look forward to many more years of them providing unparalleled programming to the students of this city.”

Council Member Sandy Nurse has supported Inside Broadway’s programming with $20,000 in funds since the 2024 fiscal year to help build on the program’s successful 45-year history of youth and musical theater career development.

“Children thrive when they are exposed to quality arts education by groups like Inside Broadway,” Nurse said. “I hope this invaluable work continues for years to come.”

For more information about Inside Broadway, visit InsideBroadway.org or follow Inside Broadway on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

Inside Broadway’s 2026 annual touring production of “The Marvelous Wonderettes.”Courtesy Elena Olivo