about

“Bringing kindness and dignity to the forefront through theatre empowers students to make a difference in their own schools, communities
and their world.”

- Ruthie Pincus

STAGE THE CHANGE was founded in 2012 through the Hauppauge High School Drama program after a staggering response to their original production, “The Anti-Bully Project.” A series of student-written vignettes, “The Anti-Bully Project” was created to address topics including bullying, peer pressure, healthy relationships and other issues important to high school students. After touring performances of “The Anti-Bully Project,” the drama department began to gain recognition throughout New York State from several theater, education and social activist organizations.

Founding Director, Ruthie Pincus, was thrilled to find that her students were eager to write and share their own perspectives through their creation of thoughtful and conversation-provoking theater.

Pincus recognized the potential to expand beyond the high school setting and explore more and more challenging topics including racism, LGBT acceptance, and human rights issues and more. The next step was clear: Create an open forum to empower students to use their “arts voices” to inspire social change.

What evolved was a one-day annual conference filled with panel discussions, interactive workshops, keynote speakers and student performances which would encourage and enable students to produce their own original works of theater, film and dance. The conference serves to launch new works created by students, which they can showcase in their own communities and, at the same time, inspire change.

Guest speakers and panelists have included Tony-Award winning Broadway star Gavin Creel (Hello Dolly, Book of Mormon, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Hair), television, film and stage actress Jessica Hecht (Friends, Fiddler on the Roof), Broadway composer Jeanine Tesori (Fun Home, Shrek, Thoroughly Modern Millie), Terrence McNally, four time Tony Award winning playwright, Broadway Producer and activities Tom Kirdahy, Drama Desk Award Winner, writer, actress and activist, Anna Deavere Smith; Broadway actor and playwright.

In addition to the conference, Stage the Change plans to launch the summer leadership-ambassador program to create year-round opportunities for students and educators to create work in their schools and home communities.

Stage the Change is sponsored by Tilles Center for the Performing Arts at LIU Post & Hauppauge Public Schools.

This project is made possible with funds from The Arts Reach Fund at Long Island Community Foundation and the Decentralization Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature, and administered
by The Huntington Arts Council. HEARTS (Helping Enrich the Arts of Port Washington)- Fiscal Sponsor.