NTI Brochure

Artistic Director
RACHEL JETT
NTI is a practicum. It is your laboratory. We hope
to test your limits. We hope that you exceed your own
expectations and perceptions of what those limits
may be. We hope to redefine what you believe is
possible, the possibilities of what can happen in a
day, and the possibilities of what can happen on
the stage. The people you work with here join you
on your professional and personal journey sharing
a common experience, language, and work ethic
in a craft that we believe is vitally important,
essential to our lives and our society.
Ready? Let’s begin.

NTI IS THE PLACE...
where driven young artists flock to learn 10 hours a day,
seven days a week, training across all theatrical disciplines.
where master teachers and industry professionals choose to teach.
PHOTO
NATIONAL
THEATER
INSTITUTE
SEMESTER
NATIONAL
MUSIC
THEATER
INSTITUTE
where aspiring theatermakers meet one another and go on to
create their own work for decades afterward, founding new
companies and pushing American theater forward.
PHOTO
NTI
ADVANCED
DIRECTING
where actors find they are also playwrights; where
directors find they are also designers and dancers.
NTI
ADVANCED
PLAYWRITING
where new composers, directors, writers, designers, and actors
realize they can do it all.
to Risk, Fail, and Risk Again.
MOSCOW
ART THEATRE
SEMESTER
THEATER-
MAKERS
SUMMER
INTENSIVE

Much of what we now take for granted
in contemporary theater contains DNA that
can be traced back to a green patch of
land overlooking the Long Island Sound in
Waterford, CT.
– The O’Neill: Transformation of Modern American Theater
by Jeffrey Sweet. Published by Yale University Press 2014.
your launchpad
EUGENE O’NEILL THEATER CENTER
The Eugene O’Neill Theater Center is the nation’s preeminent developmental theater
and the recipient of two Tony Awards and the National Medal of Arts. The O’Neill is
home to the National Theater Institute and dedicated to nurturing new work and new
artists. Additional programs include the National Playwrights Conference, National
Music Theater Conference, National Critics Institute, National Puppetry Conference,
and Cabaret & Performance Conference. Originating the process of developing new
plays through script-in-hand staged readings, scores of projects developed at the
O’Neill have gone on to full production at other theaters around the world including
Broadway, off-Broadway, London’s West End, and major regional theaters.
The launchpad of American theater, the O’Neill is and has been an artistic home
to writers August Wilson, Wendy Wasserstein, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Edward Albee,
John Patrick Shanley, Kia Corthron, Christopher Durang, Jeanine Tesori, John
Guare, Robert Lopez, David Auburn, Theresa Rebeck, Samuel D. Hunter, Jennifer
Haley, Alfred Uhry, Tom Kitt, and John Logan; directors Lloyd Richards, Jason Moore,
Leigh Silverman, Thomas Kail, and Rebecca Taichman; actors Michael Douglas,
Meryl Streep, Danny DeVito, Kristin Chenoweth, Al Pacino, Sarah Jessica Parker,
Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Cynthia Nixon, Kelli O’Hara, and Steve Kazee.

NATIONAL THEATER INSTITUTE
SEMESTER
NTI is a 14-week laboratory where you gain tangible
tools while creating new work. From 7:30am to 10pm,
seven days a week, you work as a member of an
ensemble finding out what excites you about the art of
theater and developing the skills to boldly apply that
knowledge to your work.
Fall &
Spring
Semesters
20
Credit
Hours
Two
Weeks in
London
Classes include Contemporary Acting, Playwriting, Directing, Singing, Dance, Stage
Combat, Improv, Producing, Shakespeare, Design, Droznin, Movement and Voice,
Composition, Audition Technique, and Acting for the Camera.
Two Weeks Studying Abroad offers exposure to the cultural, historical, and theatrical
richness of London. You train in Lecoq technique with the internationally renowned
company Complicite, see shows, and participate in NTI’s singular series of master classes.
Weekly Theater Labs challenge you to put what you’re learning in class on its feet.
When given just 15 hours to stage a scene, you learn to trust your creative instincts.
Under the mentorship of a professional director, you gain practical experience with a
wealth of classical and contemporary texts.
Attend Professional Performances on Broadway, off-Broadway, and at notable
regional theaters throughout the semester.
Playwrights’ & Librettists’ Week is dedicated to the staging of original oneact
plays written, directed, designed, performed, and produced by your ensemble.
This collaborative week supports and amplifies the voices of the next generation of
American theater writers under the mentorship of several professional playwrights.
During Company Project, your ensemble collaboratively produces a full-length
work guided by a prompt. You have two weeks to devise a new piece of theater
unique to your ensemble. Through public performances, you showcase what you
have learned and what has inspired you throughout the semester.

NATIONAL MUSIC THEATER
INSTITUTE
NMTI is a laboratory, an exploration into the depths of what it
means to be a complete music theater artist. From 7:30am to
10pm, seven days a week, you are creating theater. The 14-week
program enables you to hone your craft, find your voice, and meet
with like-minded collaborators all while creating original work.
Fall
Semester
20
Credit
Hours
Two
Weeks in
New York
Classes include Song Performance, Acting, Dance, Choreography, Composition,
Lyric Writing, Song Analysis, Voice into Text, Music Theater History, Droznin, Audition
Technique, Business of the Business, Improv, Directing, and Movement and Voice.
Two Weeks Studying in NYC, the epicenter of music theater, allows you to train
with professionals in a singular series of master classes. Attend nightly performances
and participate in Q&As with artists working in every facet of music theater.
Weekly Music Theater Labs challenge you to put what you are learning in
class on its feet. When given just 15 hours to stage a scene, you learn to trust your
creative instincts. Under the mentorship of a professional guest artist, you gain
practical experience with a wealth of music theater works.
Attend Professional Performances on Broadway, off-Broadway, and at
notable regional theaters throughout the semester.
Playwrights’ & Librettists’ Week is dedicated to the staging of new
30-minute musicals written, composed, directed, choreographed, performed, and
produced by your ensemble. This collaborative week provides a first glance at the
future of the American musical under the mentorship of current contributors to the
music theater canon.
During Company Project, your ensemble collaboratively produces a full-length
work guided by a prompt. You have two weeks to devise an original work unique to
your ensemble. Through public performances, you showcase what you have learned
and what has inspired you throughout the semester.

NTI’s Advanced Semesters provide
student and early-career artists
the opportunity to hone their craft
and create a solid body of work
with the guidance and tutelage of
master teachers.
NTI-ADVANCED
DIRECTING
NTI-ADVANCED
PLAYWRITING
Fall &
Spring
Semesters
16
Credit
Hours
Two
Weeks in
London
Spring
Semester
16
Credit
Hours
Two
Weeks in
London
Advanced Directors are immersed in the practice and theory of stage directing.
Integrated with the NTI Semester, you learn about all facets of theater with the specific
intent of preparing you to excel as a director. Studying with professional directors
helps you understand the history of directing and challenges you to dream about
the future of your craft. Skills are acquired through observerships, special theater
trips, and two weeks studying abroad in London. With weekly opportunities to direct,
this practical-based program strengthens your passion for directing, expands artistic
boundaries, and emphasizes collaboration. It teaches you how to think about the big
picture and how to convey that vision to an audience.
Advanced Playwrights expand their craft and refine their voice at the home of new play
development. Under the guidance of some of America’s best contemporary playwrights,
you learn the process and craft of playwriting as well as the business of producing your
own work. Advanced Playwrights write new plays every week which are given readings by
fellow ensemble members. You leave with a portfolio of plays and an arsenal of contacts.
Through integration with the NTI Semester, you will take a variety of workshops and
master classes to deepen your skills as a well-rounded theater artist and spend two weeks
studying abroad in London. Advanced Playwrights also take part in the Humana Festival
of New American Plays in Louisville, Kentucky.

MOSCOW ART THEATRE
SEMESTER
Fall
Semester
20
Credit
Hours
Acclaimed
US-Russia
Partnership
“Why go to MATS? We offer a total immersion in the craft of
theater. You will experience the vitality of one of the world’s
first-class theaters and Moscow’s best teachers. Come to Moscow
to challenge yourself as a professional. There are very few places
in the world where theater truly matters. This is one.”
– ANATOLY SMELIANKSY,
President, Moscow Art Theatre School
Classes include Daily Acting, Russian Movement, Ballet, Traditional Dance,
Stage Design, Russian Theater History, Russian Language, Singing, Cinema History,
and Stage Combat.
Experience Conservatory Rigor with classes 10am to 6pm, six days a week,
taught by masters at one of the world’s most renowned theater schools.
Immerse Yourself in the Culture by attending up to 25 performances of
theater, opera, ballet, and concerts as well as frequent museum and cultural visits,
plus a weekend in St. Petersburg.
Live in the Heart of Moscow in a newly renovated dormitory, offering double
or single rooms, with a kitchen, Wi-Fi, excellent security, and laundry.
Discover the Birthplace of Modern Drama as a student of the Stanislavski
method in the very theater where he developed his approach. NTI and the Moscow
Art Theatre School enjoy one of the longest and most celebrated continual cultural
exchanges between the US and Russia.

THEATERMAKERS
SUMMER INTENSIVE
6 Week
Summer
Program
8
Credit
Hours
New Work
Intensive
Theatermakers invites actors, directors, and playwrights to
train intensively in a single discipline while producing
new works alongside the O’Neill’s professional conferences.
Classes include Business of the Business, Authentic Movement, Songwriting,
Acting for the Camera, Droznin, Shakespeare, Composing for Non-Composers,
Puppetry, Audition Technique, New Play Development, Improv, Music Theater, and
exclusive Q&As with prominent guest artists.
Original Work comes to life each week written, directed, and performed by the
Theatermakers ensemble. Your work is given public presentations as part of the
O’Neill’s summer season. Theatermakers enables you to perform in at least six new
shows throughout the summer.
Mentorship is provided through daily master classes and workshops. Train with
award-winning professionals and emerging artists who help guide you through the
rigorous practice of producing your own work each week.
Cultivate Professional Experience through assistantships and observerships
while creating new work with the National Playwrights Confer ence and the National
Music Theater Conference. Additionally, you also gain exposure to the latest
developments in the arts of Puppetry, Criticism, and Producing.

FACULTY
NTI brings master teachers and industry
professionals into your classroom. Often you’ll
see the work of your faculty on Broadway,
off-Broadway, at regional theaters, and on
film and television in the same semester. You
will spend 10 hours a day working with these
professionals, building skills, expanding your
range as an artist, making connections, and
gaining valuable mentors.​
Learn more about our faculty at
NationalTheaterInstitute.org/faculty
15
75 98%
Tony Award-nominated actor Forrest McClendon
teaching “Choicework,” a technique for actors
NMTI Associate Scott Murphy teaching Composition
core faculty
members
work with you
each week
guest
artists teach
throughout
the semester
of faculty
are currently
working
professionally
Performance artist Shakina Nayfack
rehearsing a reading of her new play with students
14 10 95%
students
on average
per class
hours of
instruction
per day
practical-based
classes
ARTISTS-IN-RESIDENCE
A haven for artistic development,
the O’Neill welcomes professional artists
and companies to work in residence during
the semester. Students have the opportunity
to learn from these artists and see the
first stages of new professional work.
Broadway actress Susan Blackwell
teaching her signature class Now. Here. This.

CAMPUS LIFE
Living at the O’Neill
The historic campus boasts four performance venues, two libraries, administrative
offices, a cafeteria, and residences for students, staff, faculty, and artists. A recent
multimillion-dollar expansion created rehearsal and dance studios, a state-of-theart
composition classroom, laundry facilities, and new dormitory cottages. Cottages
have double and single bedrooms as well as a common area to study, socialize, or
even stage a scene. All meals are served by our resident chefs. Apprentices, often
NTI alums, ensure your well-being and are reachable 24 hours a day, seven days
a week. Easily accessible by car or train, the O’Neill is located two hours from
New York City and Boston.
America’s Theater Campus
The Eugene O’Neill Theater Center’s Waterford, Connecticut campus is a collection
of renovated 19th-century mansions, farmhouses, and barns overlooking the Long
Island Sound. To study at the O’Neill is to create theater on equal footing with the
theatrical luminaries who have also called this campus home for over 50 years. The
theaters are your classrooms and every day you are tasked with presenting your best
work onstage and off. Come discover what it is to work in an atmosphere of complete
creativity, where you are encouraged to risk, fail, and risk again.

OUR ALUMNI
Join a community of over 3,500 alumni working in
all facets of the arts, theater, film, and televsion!
JENNIFER GARNER
Actor, Producer
13 Going On 30
NTI Fall ‘93
JOHN KRASINSKI
Actor, Director, Writer
The Office • NTI Fall ‘01
AUSTIN SMITH
Actor • Hamilton
MATS ‘09
RACHEL DRATCH
Actor, Writer, Comedian
SNL • NTI Fall ‘86
ADAM BOCK
Obie Award-winning
Playwright
NTI Fall ‘84
JIEHAE PARK
Playwright
NTI Spring ‘01
JOSH RADNOR
Actor, Director, Writer
How I Met Your Mother
NTI Spring ‘95
RECENT ALUMNI
REBECCA TAICHMAN
Tony Award-winning Director
NTI Fall ‘92
ALUMNI THEATER COMPANIES
The Civilians The Debate Society The Neo-Futurists
Superhero Clubhouse Drive Theater Company
MaineStage Shakespeare 500 Clown The Hearth
ELIZABETH OLSEN
Actor • Avengers
MATS ‘09
Alumni from the past five years are working in
a variety of roles across theater & entertainment:
Performing in national tours
Acting at regional theaters
Directing off-Broadway
Booking commercial voiceovers
Assistant to Encores! Off-Center co-artistic directors
Jeanine Tesori and Anne Kauffman
Leading role in The Book of Mormon National Tour
Assistant to Paula Vogel
Digital Producer at The Boston Globe
Assistant to the Artistic Director at
Williamstown Theatre Festival
Working off-Broadway at Ars Nova,
Sleep No More, Primary Stages, and Bedlam

ADMISSIONS
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Policy The National Theater Institute seeks to attract
students of diverse backgrounds. No applicant for admission is discriminated against on the
basis of age, race, gender, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, or national or ethnic origin.
Program Fees
For current rates, please visit NationalTheaterInstitute.org
NTI, NMTI, NTI-AD & AP
Comprehensive fee includes
• Tuition
• Housing
• Three Meals Daily
• Two Weeks All-Inclusive
Residency in London/
New York City
• Theater Tickets
• Two Official Transcripts
MATS
Comprehensive fee includes
• Orientation in CT
• Airfare to/from Moscow
• Tuition
• Housing
• Theater & Museum Tickets
• Trip to St. Petersburg
• Two Official Transcripts
*Meals & Visa not included
Theatermakers
Comprehensive fee includes
• Tuition
• Housing
• Three Meals Daily
• Theater Excursions
• Tickets to 12 O’Neill Summer
performances
• Two Official Transcripts
Application Deadlines
Summer and Fall Semesters: March 20
Theatermakers, NTI, NTI-AD, NMTI, MATS
Spring Semesters: October 20
NTI, NTI-AD, NTI-AP
Apply Online: NationalTheaterInstitute.org
Admission to NTI is competitive; applicants are encouraged to apply in advance of
the deadlines. Early applications may receive early acceptance.
NTI welcomes applications from gap-year students, undergraduate students,
and post-graduates. When selecting students, NTI looks for a proven ability to
handle the demands of disciplined theater work and to be a positive and contributing
member of an ensemble. Applicants must demonstrate a clear understanding of the
opportunities and challenges of an intensive study and a determination to complete
the chosen program in a conscientious manner.
Contact
(860) 443-7139
Admissions@NationalTheaterInstitute.org
Visit
305 Great Neck Road
Waterford, CT 06385
www.NationalTheaterInstitute.org
Financial Aid The National Theater Institute endeavors to ensure access for those seeking
the transformative experience of NTI, regardless of economic circumstance. Varying levels of
tuition assistance are awarded to students with demonstrated need. Please check to determine
which existing loans, grants, and scholarships can be applied to NTI programs.
International Students The National Theater Institute is committed to diverse educational
and theatrical experiences and welcomes students from around the world. NTI provides
support for enrolling non-US students seeking a J-1 visa. Students are responsible for their
visa fees and processing.
Official Transcripts Connecticut College is the National Theater Institute’s school of record
and issues official transcripts for courses completed through NTI’s programs. Connecticut
College is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.
Course Catalog
NTI Semester
DIRECTING (NTI-201)
PLAYWRITING (NTI-202)
DESIGN (NTI-210)
ACTING (NTI-300)
MOVEMENT & VOICE (NTI-310)
Moscow Art Theatre Semester
RUSSIAN THEATER HISTORY & CINEMA (MXT-251)
RUSSIAN LANGUAGE (MXT-252)
ACTING (MXT-253)
DESIGN (MXT-254)
MOVEMENT & VOICE (MXT-310)
NTI-Advanced Directing
DIRECTING THEORY AND HISTORY (NTI-354)
DIRECTOR’S TUTORIAL (NTI-355)
DIRECTOR’S OBSERVERSHIP (NTI-451)
DIRECTOR’S PROJECTS (NTI-452)
National Music Theater Institute
DIRECTING FOR MUSIC THEATER (NMTI-202)
WRITING THE MUSICAL (NMTI-203)
ACTING FOR MUSIC THEATER (NMTI-301)
SINGING & VOICE (NMTI-311)
DANCE & MOVEMENT (NMTI-312)
Theatermakers
THE COLLABORATIVE EXPERIENCE (NTI-470)
and one of the following:
DIRECTING INTENSIVE (NTI-471)
PLAYWRITING INTENSIVE (NTI-472)
ACTING INTENSIVE (NTI-473)
NTI-Advanced Playwriting
SCRIPT ANALYSIS & PLAYWRIGHT MENTORSHIP (NTI-356)
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR WRITERS (NTI-357)
ADVANCED PLAYWRITING (NTI-453)
PLAY LAB (NTI-454)

RISK. FAIL. RISK AGAIN.
With a singular schedule and an unmatched breadth of training, the National
Theater Institute’s six semester-long programs offer students a springboard to
the professional world at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center, recipient of
two Tony Awards and the National Medal of Arts, and the world-renowned
Moscow Art Theatre School. Founded in 1970, NTI’s credit-earning theater
intensives, taught by industry professionals and master teachers, train actors,
singers, directors, dancers, designers, playwrights, and composers
who are high school graduates, undergraduates, and post-graduates.
@ntiriskfailrisk
www.NationalTheaterInstitute.org