The Educators' Greenroom
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
NYSTI and ITS MISSION
- What is the NYS Theatre Institute? NYSTI is a professional and educational regional theatre created by the New York State Legislature to produce high-quality theatre and to use theatre to educate students from early elementary school through graduate school and beyond. NYSTI’s staff members are experienced, qualified teachers and theatre-artists or administrators. NYSTI is in its 29th Season.
- Where is NYSTI located? At the Schacht Fine Arts Center on Troy's Russell Sage College Campus. It’s easy to get to, and we provide written directions.
- Does the Theatre Institute have a mission statement? NYSTI’s mission is four-fold:
- Produce high-quality, professional theatre for school and family audiences.
- Use theatre as a means of educating students in innovative, effective ways.
- Develop new plays and musicals for family audiences.
- Promote understanding and education through international cultural exchange.
- Is NYSTI a children’s theatre? NYSTI is a theatre for young audiences. Most of NYSTI’s shows are intended for young children, but an equal number are appropriate for older young people of middle and high-school age. All of NYSTI’s shows are produced with the same high quality whether it’s The Snow Queen, an Agatha Christie mystery, or Death of a Salesman.
- Are your shows performed by kids? No, our shows are performed by experienced professionals – though sometimes there are young people in the cast.
- Where do your actors come from? NYSTI has a small resident company of talented and experienced actors, and they are supplemented by other professional actors from the nearby region and New York City – Tony nominees among them.
- What about NYSTI directors and designers? Again, NYSTI has a few experienced resident directors and designers. They are supplemented by directors and designers from around the country – mostly from New York. Included among them are Tony nominees and Academy Award winners.
- NYSTI has been described as ‘award-winning’; what does that mean? NYSTI's justifiably proud of regional awards it has received, and the theatre has earned numerous national awards as well. For example, NYSTI has received the highest award given by both the American Theatre Association and the American Association of Theatre and Education – for sustained excellence. NYSTI has also been honored with an Emmy Award, a Classic Telly, two Audie Awards, five Audie nominations, and other national honors. Regionally, NYSTI productions are almost always cited on Ten Best lists.
- What about NYSTI’s mission to develop new plays and musicals? NYSTI has produced more than any theatre in the entire region. Since 1976, NYSTI has produced nearly forty new plays and musicals, many of which have gone on to production at other theatres. Samuel French, Inc., the world’s leading publisher of plays has published seven plays that originated at NYSTI. And NYSTI has produced new plays and musicals on Broadway, off-Broadway and London’s West End.
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FINANCIAL Questions/TICKETS
- How much are school group ticket prices? $7. per student for school groups of 10 or more attending 10:00 AM performances. One complimentary chaperone ticket is given for every 20 students. Additional adult tickets for those attending 10:00 AM performances with a school group are $9. each.
- May BOCES funding be used to bring a school group to a NYSTI show? Yes, NYSTI is BOCES fundable.
- Is it possible for a school group to reserve tickets without advance payment? Yes. School group tickets become available in early June. Teachers may make reservations for their classes without payment at that time.
- I don’t know how many tickets my class will need that far in advance. You may estimate the number of tickets needed, and adjust that number later.
- How do I reserve tickets for my school group? Telephone the NYSTI Box Office at 518.274.3256. It is a simple process.
- Will I receive written confirmation? Yes. You're sent a contract that specifies arrangements made by phone. The contract includes all necessary information and explains payment and how to make adjustments in your ticket numbers.
- What do I do with the contract? Complete, sign and return it to the NYSTI Box Office, retaining a copy for your files. The mailing address is: NYSTI Box Office, 37 First Street, Troy, New York 12180.
- When is actual payment due? Payment is due at least one month prior to the production (Please: one check for full payment, payable to NYSTI). You'll receive a manifest (a different form from your contract) indicating total number of tickets purchased. The manifest serves as your tickets.
- Who must have a ticket? Everyone who enters the theatre must have a ticket: students, teachers, parents, chaperones, bus drivers, etc. Remember, one complimentary chaperone ticket is given for every 20 students you bring.
- What do I do if I need additional tickets at the last minute? Contact the Box Office: 518.274.3256 as soon as possible. Availability of additional tickets isn't guaranteed.
- What if a student is absent? No refunds or exchanges are available.
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ARRANGEMENTS and LOGISTICS
- How long is the performance? Generally, Institute productions are two and one half hours in length, including intermission. Call the Box Office one week prior to the performance for accurate running times for the show you are attending.
- What time should my group arrive? No later than fifteen (15) minutes before curtain. If you anticipate an arrival delay, please notify the Box Office 518.274.3256.
- How do we get to the Schacht Fine Arts Center? Written directions will be mailed to you with your contract. You may also find them online. For smooth traffic flow, please follow these directions, even if you know another route.
- Where do the buses discharge the students? NYSTI Volunteers greet your buses at the entrance gate on Division Street leading into Schacht Fine Arts Center. Buses should discharge students and depart immediately.
- When do the buses return to pick up the students? Drivers will be advised of time to return for pickup by a NYSTI Volunteer. Buses must not return before this time. Please remember your bus number for efficient boarding of buses after the show.
- Where do the buses park? Directions to parking will be given to your bus drivers by a NYSTI Volunteer when the buses arrive. Bus parking is reserved by indicating the number of buses on your contract.
- What happens once we reach the theatre building? Volunteers greet your group, direct you into the theatre and to your seats. Please inform staff if you prefer that programs not be distributed to students prior to the performance.
- What about lunch? There is no lunch area available; lunches are not allowed in the theatre. We are sorry, but we are presently unable to provide a lunch area except for school groups that are staying for Residency Classes.
- Are snacks permitted? No food or drink is allowed in the theatre. However, if you bring snacks, they may be distributed to your students in the lobby at intermission.
- So there is an intermission? Generally, yes, although there are some exceptions. You may want to ask this question of the box office for the specific show you’re attending. Students are not allowed to leave the theatre building during intermission.
- How are school groups dismissed at the end of the show? At the curtain, please remain seated. The House Manager will dismiss audience members by groups as the buses arrive. Please notify the Box Office in advance of the performance if you have specific dismissal concerns.
- What are the house rules?
- No eating, drinking, chewing gum or smoking in the theatre.
- State law prohibits the use of cameras and recording devices. Cassette players, radios and cameras are not allowed in the theatre. Cell phones, pagers, and similar electronic devices should be turned off.
- Audience members needing to leave the theatre during a performance should do so through exit doors at the rear of the auditorium.
- We request teachers and escorts be seated within their groups to insure proper supervision. If behavior problems occur, the House Manager will be notified. Audience member misbehavior will result in removal from the theatre and notification of the school administrator regarding the student’s conduct.
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SPECIAL NEEDS
- What if a student uses a wheelchair or has other needs? Notify the Box Office in advance to take advantage of:
- FM assistive listening devices
- Large print programs
- Wheelchair and non-step seating
- Prime sight and sound seating
- Sign language interpreted services (one month’s notice is required)
For groups with special needs, we recommend one escort per three individuals.
- What about medications? NYSTI staff are not permitted to administer medications.
- Is there an emergency telephone number? Prior to performance time, please call the NYSTI Box Office at 518.274.3256. After the performance has begun, NYSTI may be contacted at 518.244.6730 or through the NYSTI Main Office: 518.274.3200.
- What about security concerns? NYSTI staff and volunteers are trained to deal with security matters and emergency evacuation. Also, Russell Sage College maintains a full-time security department.
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UTILIZING EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
NYSTI encourages schools and teachers to avail themselves of our numerous educational programs and offerings. Doing so will enhance your and your students’ theatre experience and enrich the educational value of attending a NYSTI performance.
- Is there a program to prepare groups for the production? A Pre-Show Intro is available, tracing the show from start to finish and explaining theatre etiquette. Click on the link above or call the Education Director: 518.274.3286 for additional information.
- How do I obtain a Study Guide for the production? A Study Guide is mailed to all teachers who book tickets for a production, or you may download a copy of this season's production study guides online.
- Beyond the Study Guide, are there other ways for me to get more detailed information in advance about the show we’re attending? Yes! At NYSTI we believe teachers appreciate advance information so they can use the theatre experience to its fullest advantage. There are three ways in particular:
- What are the After Show Residencies? Residencies are, in brief, engaging classes taught at the Schacht Fine Arts Center by NYSTI’s Teacher-Actors and Teacher-Technicians, the same people who performed and staged the show the students saw. Classes use production content to connect to the curriculum you are teaching. NYSTI’s Teacher-Actors and Teacher-Technicians plan potential curricular topics within the show, and develop detailed, active lesson plans.
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