About TYA/USA

Founded in 1965, Theatre for Young Audiences/USA (TYA/USA) is the leading national member service organization for the professional field of theatre for children and families, representing theatres, organizations, and individual artists across 45 states. TYA/USA is the United States Center for the International Association of Theatre for Children and Young People (ASSITEJ).

Our Mission

To connect, cultivate, and advocate for the field of Theatre for Young Audiences by providing opportunities and resources in programming, professional development, research, and leadership.

  • Programming

    We offer year-round programming 
by hosting an annual Festival & Conference and full Virtual track, 
as well as other in-person regional events. We hold partnerships within the sector to support new work development, such as the TYA/USA & Alliance TVY Development Program and the New Plays for Young Audiences Program at NYU Steinhardt.

  • Professional Development

    We promote a national network of dialogue, exchange, and field-wide learning through in-person breakout sessions and virtual workshops in our Webinar Library, which holds over 120 webinars from 2013 on.

  • Research

    We partner with outside stakeholders to provide our industry with data that analyzes trends, 
tracks progress, and highlights the ways our field can expand impact. Our newly launched TYA Research & Scholarship Working Group seeks to advance and diversify scholarship and publications across the sector.

  • Leadership

    We make an investment in the field’s next generation of leaders by hosting our Emerging Leader Fellowship Program, which offers funding for national travel and mentorship to students, independent artists, and emerging career professionals. 
We also honor artistic excellence, innovation, and lasting impact of 
our field’s leaders through our Annual Awards.

Our Values

  • Authenticity and Intentionality

    We strive to communicate openly and hold ourselves accountable to one another.

  • Community

    We connect, cultivate and champion leaders, artists, audiences, and allies of Theatre for Young Audiences.

  • Innovation and Imagination

    We are curious and eager to learn from each other by advancing the field and embracing both a shared vision and a diversity of thought.

  • Celebration and Jubilee

    We celebrate our work in all of its forms across platforms.

  • Belonging and Equity

    We uphold our staff, board, members’ and audiences’ right to experience authentic belonging in their communities.