The class will highlight the personal, cultural, and professional value of theater through attending eight live performances at a variety of venues: including Broadway, the center of the global commercial theater world, New York’s Public Theater, the non-profit home where many great artists and new plays have been developed and nurtured, as well as others. The class will also over weekly discussions highlighting the history/mission of each institution and discussing different professional disciplines within the field. The lectures will be supported by reading of current articles written on key issues within the industry, and post show discussions with artists involved in the various productions.