Opening Minds Through the Arts
Status
Ongoing Program
Who It Serves
Middle & High Schools
Focus Area
Student Enrichment
Where
New York, USA
CEI Early Stages introduces public school students to the vibrant world of live performance, giving them free access to Broadway and Off-Broadway shows, music concerts, and dance productions — many for the first time. Designed to go beyond the classroom, Early Stages blends cultural exposure with active learning, inspiring students to think critically, reflect deeply, and embrace creativity as part of their growth.
This program has been paused for now, please give us your email address and we’ll let you know as soon as it’s reactivated.
- Benefits
What Students Gain
CEI Early Stages turns performances into pathways for growth. Students don’t just watch the arts — they engage, reflect, and connect them to their own lives.
- Free performances on Broadway, Off-Broadway, music, and dance at no cost.
- Creative engagement through workshops, guided discussions, and reflective writing.
- Empathy & critical thinking with stronger vocabulary and social awareness.
- Personal connection linking art experiences to identity and academic goals.
Why Early Stages Works
Early Stages is more than a field trip — it’s a creative awakening. Students don’t just watch performances; they interact with them. By combining live theater and concerts with active reflection and dialogue, the program transforms cultural events into life-changing lessons that shape how students see themselves and their future.
- Impact
Our Core Values in Action
At its core, Early Stages is about more than the arts. It’s about using creativity to build empathy, identity, and opportunity for every student.
- Spark imagination and unlock new ways of thinking.
- Build empathy and social awareness through shared cultural experiences.
- Strengthen student voice through reflection and creative expression.
- Connect learning to real-world cultural and community contexts.
