Theater for Social Change

“In my nearly 25 years of teaching, at University of Nebraska and elsewhere, I have not experienced any interaction with students that has had more positive impact and potential sustainability than the work Julia Hansen and Stephen Cedars of the Theater for Social Change led on our campus.”
-Steve Langan, Professor and Interim Director & Community Liaison, Medical Humanities, University of Nebraska

WHat is jns Theater for Social Change?

It is a program that works with students to develop thoughtful responses to current social issues using the power of theatre.
It is a guest residency for two professional theatre artists—the heart of our program— who work with students either on-campus or remotely to develop plays about a chosen topic.
It is currently designed as a one to two week experience for university students, but can be adapted to other age levels and program lengths.
It is a partner program to Theater Masters, and currently managed by Artistic Director Julia Hansen and Managing Artistic Director Stephen Cedars.

WHo WORKS with jns Theater for Social Change?

The program works with any professor, teacher, or community leader who wants to engage their students or population with imaginative approaches to the issues confronting contemporary society. Previous topics have included: Immigration Reform; Prison Reform; The Decline of the American Small Town; United States Healthcare Reform; Big Business and the Environment; Women’s Rights; and Public Health.

The program has been refined through work with the University of Nebraska, Doane University, and Ohio State University, where it has been endowed in order to fund an annual program in perpetuity. We adapt our approach and syllabi to each partner’s needs, and are always open to new challenges.