Builders of the New World Mentor Program
Winter 2024 / Spring 2025
Mentor Children and Be a Member of Our Award-Winning Theatre Program
Builders of the New World, now in its 29th year, brings together professionals across all industries to provide a safe creative haven of stability for NYC children residing in temporary housing facilities.
Bring your heart and commitment to mentor children in our award-winning theatre and education after-school program that has served over 2,500 homeless children and their families, and partnered with over 20 housing facilities, since 1995.
Our program helps at-risk students express their voice, see beyond their current circumstances, and envision a positive future. And they need you to reach their full potential!
Our six-month program includes 10 weeks of life-changing creative classes for the children taught by ATW’s Artistic Director and Founder Thurman E. Scott, family-style meals we enjoy together at each session, holiday classes, and a final performance for the community.
ATW’s Mentorship program provides you and your colleagues (either as a team or individuals) with the opportunity to support and nurture 7-13 year old children in a safe, creative environment. Our program will enable you to serve the community while growing and gaining new skills and insights—enhance team building, improve inter-group communication skills, address diversity issues with compassion and expansive thinking, and develop creative expression through a deeply rewarding shared experience.
How to Become a BNW Mentor:
Dedicate your time, passion, and expertise and help us serve children in need!
- Each potential Mentor will attend a Virtual Info and Interview Session after completing the Individual Mentor Application. To apply as a team, please provide initial information through our Corporate Inquiry form.
- Participate in two creative training sessions with ATW’s Artistic Director and Founder, Thurman E. Scott
- Mentor the children during weekly Winter 2024 and/or Spring 2025 classes
- Mentors will also use their professional expertise as part of a production team:
- Event planning
- Outreach – Social Media, PR
- Graphics
- Production
- Food Donations
- Fundraising
- Writing
- Videography & Photography
- Administration
- In-Kind donations
- Team actions take place every week
Winter 2024 – Spring 2025
Two Mentor Admission Periods:
Winter BNW 2024:
October & November 2024
- Attend an Info and Interview Session for New Team Members
- Saturday 10/26 from 12:30pm – 2:00pm
- Saturday 11/2 from 12:30pm – 2:00pm
- Saturday 11/16 from 12:30pm – 2:00pm
- Saturday 11/23 from 12:30pm – 2:00pm
- Acceptance into the program
- Join teams and begin working in key project areas
November & December 2024
- Meet the Artistic Director and attend two Creative Training Classes on Tuesday, 11/26 and Tuesday 12/3, 6:00pm – 9:30pm
- Production activities to prepare for the Holiday Class
Wednesday, December 11th, 2024
- Mentor Children at the Holiday Class
Other Ways to Get Involved
There are many other ways to get involved in ATW’s Holiday Program
- Decorate the theatre and wrap gifts for the children
- Join our set-up and food team and help prepare for the class
- Set-up for the Builders of the New World Holiday class, Thursday, June 15th
Spring BNW 2025:
January – April 2025
- Info and Interview Sessions for New Team Members
- Saturday 1/11 from 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm
- Saturday 1/25 from 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm
- Saturday 2/8 from 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm
- Saturday 2/22 from 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm
- Saturday 3/8 from 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm
- Saturday 3/15 from 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
- Acceptance into the program
- Join teams and begin working in key project areas
- Attend two mandatory Creative Training Classes
- Class 1: Tuesday, April 15th, 6:00pm – 9:30pm
- Class 2: Tuesday, April 22nd, 6:00pm – 9:30pm
May – June 2025
- Mentor in Children’s Classes
- Classes meet every Tuesday, May 6th to June 19th from 3:30pm – 8:30pm
- Weekly Program Production Activities
- Mentors participate in weekly production activities as available
- Rehearsals for Children’s Performance
- Saturday, June 7th, 11:30am – 5:30pm
- Tuesday June 10th, 3:30pm – 8:30pm
- Thursday, June 12th, 3:30pm – 8:30pm
- Tuesday, June 17th, 3:30pm – 8:30pm
- Production Prep before Children’s Performance
- Children’s Performance and Fundraiser
- Thursday, June 19th, 3:30pm – 9:30pm
- Program Follow-Up, BNW Mandatory Program Evaluation Session
- Thursday, June 26th, 4:00pm – 8:30pm
Other Ways to Get Involved
There are many other ways to get involved in ATW’s Spring Season
- Join our set-up and food team and help prepare for the weekly classes and serve delicious meals to the children
- Type up the children’s stories and organize artwork
- Set-up for the Builders of the New World Graduation, Thursday, June 19th
Our Builders of the New World program helps at-risk students express their voice,
see beyond their current circumstances, and envision a positive future.
And they need you to reach their full potential!
For Corporate inquiries, fill out our Corporate Inquiry form to set up an Information Session. All inquiries are welcome, email us at outreach@actorstheatreworkshop.org or call (212) 947-1386.
