About TYA/USA

TYA/USA is the leading national organization for the professional field of theatre for children and families, representing over 1,000 member theatres, organizations, and individual artists across 47 states. Dedicated to ensuring that all young people have access to high-quality theatre experiences, TYA/USA offers a variety of programming and provides a network of exchange that connects professionals working across the industry.

What We Do

  • We provide a national network of exchange and dialogue for professional TYA theatres, artists, universities, and advocates.

  • We promote artistic excellence in the field of Theatre for Young Audiences.

  • We advocate for a national awareness of the impact of live theatre on children and families – within the professional theatre community and in society.

  • We cultivate equity, antiracism, diversity, and inclusion in the field of TYA.

We achieve this through our programming:

  • We produce the TYA/USA National Festival and Conference, the largest convening of the theatre for young audiences community in the nation. We also offer other opportunities for the field to connect both physically and virtually throughout the year.
  • We provide the most robust and comprehensive source of national TYA news through a variety of publications.
  • We offer Fellowships and Professional Development Programming that strengthen individuals and organizations, diversify the field, raise artistic excellence, and support the development of new work.
  • We honor innovation through Annual Awards that elevate the prominence of the field and
    its leaders.
  • We provide a connection to the international TYA community.
  • We provide resources to our membership, such as the National TYA Directory and the National TYA Job Center. These outlets provide professionals with information and insight, and connect them to employment opportunities in the field.

Our History

Founded in 1965, TYA/USA is the only theatre organization in the United States which has the development of professional theatre for young audiences and international exchange as its primary mandates. TYA/USA is the United States Center for the International Association of Theatre for Children and Young People (ASSITEJ).