At TLTC, education is essential to our mission as an incubation station for emerging artists of color. By tackling deeply entrenched systemic barriers that hinder arts education for young artists of color, we are building an ecosystem that nurtures these young artists from the ground up. We create spaces where these young artists can thrive through our Liminal Approach—embracing transformative in-between spaces of identity, culture, and creativity. This methodology empowers students to explore and express their authentic selves and honor the richness of their lived experiences while honing their craft in the art of theatre.
Our commitment to inclusive access ensures that emerging and underrepresented artists have the opportunities they need to develop and showcase their voices. This mission is woven throughout all of our educational initiatives, from The Ivy Initiative to the Liminal Clubhouse, our residency program for grade school students. We also offer our First Draft Series, masterclasses with established theatre professionals, and behind-the-scenes fellowship programs. Each initiative is designed to cultivate the next generation of diverse artists.
The Ivy Initiative
The Ivy Initiative is TLTC’s flagship education program. Founded and designed by TLTC’s Artistic Director, Azudi Onyejekwe, and named in honor of his late mother, Ivy Onyejekwe, The Ivy Initiative provides fully subsidized, conservatory-level performing arts training to rising high school juniors and seniors from lower-income households in New York City. It was created to address the systemic barriers young artists of color face in accessing high-quality arts education and professional opportunities.
At its core, The Ivy Initiative is more than an arts program—it’s a transformative movement aimed at empowering young artists to become autonomous changemakers. Participants are not only equipped with the technical skills needed to excel in their craft but are also inspired to embrace their role as cultural leaders and advocates for change. The curriculum emphasizes the artist's unique power to reflect, critique, and shape society, fostering a deep understanding of the arts as a tool for social transformation. By nurturing their creative agency, the program helps students build the confidence to navigate and challenge traditional systems, ensuring their voices are heard and celebrated.
Through intensive training, mentorship, and a lifelong network of support, participants are immersed in a culturally relevant curriculum designed to center their experiences and amplify their voices. The Ivy Initiative recognizes the importance of creating a space where these young artists can honor their lived experiences, tell their stories, and connect their artistry to the broader context of social justice and community impact.
Azudi is personally designing the Ivy Initiative’s curriculum, leveraging his experience as a Broadway actor, educator, and advocate. Founded to address the gaps he witnessed in both professional and academic settings, the initiative combines his academic research at UPenn with nearly a decade of success in empowering young artists of color. Drawing from his journey—from Broadway to teaching at NYU and Molloy University—Azudi is scaling a proven approach to create lasting, systemic change in the development of diverse theatre artists.
The Ivy Initiative is committed to fostering equity, belonging, and excellence in the arts by providing these young artists with the resources, opportunities, and guidance they need to thrive at the college level and beyond. Through this holistic ecosystem, students leave the program not only as skilled performers but as visionary creators ready to reimagine the world through their art. This program will pilot in the summer of 2025, for more info, please visit www.theivyinitiative.org.
Broadway Star and Ivy Initiative Ambassador, Nichelle Lewis, on the importance of Azudi’s mentorship on her life and career:
Nichelle Lewis is an award-winning Broadway actor. Recently, she captivated audiences as Dorothy in the Broadway revival of The Wiz, earning Drama League and Grammy Award nominations. Nichelle also starred as Sarah in Ragtime at New York City Center, showcasing her remarkable talent and versatility. As the ambassador for The Ivy Initiative, she exemplifies the transformative power of mentorship and representation in the arts.
The Liminal Clubhouse
The Liminal Clubhouse offers in-school residencies targeting grades 5-8 in underserved communities, bringing theatre education to students where access to arts programs is often limited. These residencies focus on core theatre skills, including improvisation, playwriting, and ensemble work, and culminate in a community performance. Through these residencies, we aim to inspire young students to explore theatre as a powerful form of self-expression and creativity.
Schools and organizations interested in applying for the Liminal Clubhouse residency program can contact our Education Director for more information at rocio@liminaltheatre.org.