National Theater Institute

National Theater Institute Intensive theater training for writers, singers, directors, actors, designers, & dancers looking for a proven launchpad into the professional world.

Founded in 1970 at the two-time Tony Award-winning Eugene O'Neill Theater Center, the National Theater Institute trains writers, singers, directors, actors, designers, and dancers through semester-long credit-earning intensives taught by industry professionals and master teachers. With classes 14 hours a day, seven days a week, NTI is the singular place for students (high school graduates, undergr

aduates, and post-graduates) to hone their craft, find their voice, meet like-minded collaborators, and become the next generation of theater artists. Learn, share, and see more by following NTI on Twitter and Instagram . National Theater Institute Semester (NTI)
NTI-Advanced Directing
NTI-Advanced Playwriting
National Music Theater Institute (NMTI)
Moscow Art Theatre Semester (MATS)
Theatermakers Summer Intensive

Meet Program Representative & Admissions Manager, Rachel Kelsey!Rachel Kelsey (She/Her) serves as Program Representative...
08/29/2026

Meet Program Representative & Admissions Manager, Rachel Kelsey!

Rachel Kelsey (She/Her) serves as Program Representative & Admissions Manager for the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's educational training programs: the National Theater Institute (NTI), National Music Theater Institute (NMTI), and Theatermakers Summer Intensive.

Originally from Omaha, NE, Rachel now travels across the country to offer workshops in a variety of artistic disciplines as well as bring awareness to the two-time Tony award winning organization. She graduated Magna Cum Laude with a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre and Business minor from Drake University, in Des Moines, IA. In addition, she spent the Fall of 2022 in Connecticut, studying with NTI.

While traveling for the O'Neill and teaching at various conferences, festivals, and institutions throughout the nation, Rachel is actively involved in the theatre scene. Her most recent credits include Come from Away with Saltwater Performing Arts (Beverley/Annette), The Matchmaker with Saybrook Stage Company (Ermengarde), A Midsummer Night’s Dream with Camden Shakespeare Festival (Hermia u/s, Stage Manager), Sing, Sang, Sung Cabaret at The Etcetera Theatre U.K., and The Comeback Cabaret at Don’t Tell Mama NYC.

Questions about our training? Contact Rachel at [email protected].

Droznin is a style of movement that originated at the Moscow Art Theater in Russia, by Andrei Droznin, and the foundatio...
08/27/2026

Droznin is a style of movement that originated at the Moscow Art Theater in Russia, by Andrei Droznin, and the foundation of NTI’s movement curriculum. The goal of this work is to forge a "connection between body and mind, body and soul". Droznin has described his method as "living movement" - stage movement that blurs the boundaries between dance, mime, and vernacular gesture. Rachel Jett, NTI Artistic Director, was the first American aspirant to the innovative and esteemed Russian movement coach and teacher, Andrei Droznin.

Learn more about the styles and techniques taught at NTI by visiting www.nationaltheaterinstitute.org

Meet Program Coordinator, Brooke Cox!Brooke Cox (they/she) is a director, writer, and stage manager from the San Francis...
08/25/2026

Meet Program Coordinator, Brooke Cox!

Brooke Cox (they/she) is a director, writer, and stage manager from the San Francisco Bay Area. As a proud Theatermakers alum and former NTI Fellow, they are delighted to be the National Theater Institute’s Program Coordinator and help further new works and education programs. When they’re not in office, they’re often reading a new book outside or dreaming up new ways to combine their love of storytelling and immersive theater. Some of her favorite work includes: Thirty-Six (Shotgun Players); Crumbs from the Table of Joy, The Lifespan of a Fact, and Manahatta (Aurora Theatre Company); and her short story collection: lost things and finding your way back. They hold a BA in Theatre and English from Willamette University.

With the NTI Fall 2026 Semester right around the corner, here's a throwback to Fall 2025. We can't wait for our students...
08/21/2026

With the NTI Fall 2026 Semester right around the corner, here's a throwback to Fall 2025. We can't wait for our students to arrive in a few short weeks. Stay tuned!

Photos by Emma Brown

Seeking semester-long or summer intensive theater training? Applications are now open for our Summer and Fall 2027 progr...
08/19/2026

Seeking semester-long or summer intensive theater training? Applications are now open for our Summer and Fall 2027 programs!

2027 Theatermakers Summer Intensive
Fall 2027 National Theater Institute Semester
Fall 2027 National Music Theater Institute Semester

To learn more and apply, visit www.nationaltheaterinstitute.org or contact us at [email protected].

Meet NTI Artistic Director, Rachel Jett!Rachel Jett is a proud alum of NTI, and began teaching for the program in 1998 b...
08/17/2026

Meet NTI Artistic Director, Rachel Jett!

Rachel Jett is a proud alum of NTI, and began teaching for the program in 1998 before being appointed Artistic Director in 2011. She holds an MFA from TISCH in Music Theater Writing and attended Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, OK. She was the first American aspirant to the innovative and esteemed Russian movement coach and teacher Andrei Droznin. She has been teaching Droznin at NTI and various universities and conservatories for 28 years.

Rachel was honored at the Connecticut Women’s Hall of Fame in 2018 for her service as an educator. Her theater performances include Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet directed by Erica Schmidt, multiple performances with the Helen Hayes award winning Synetic Theater in Washington D.C., The Body Artist by Don Delillo, and NOT ONE DAY by Anne Garrete, directed and adapted by Jody McAuliffe.

Other Performances: Stag, a short film by Donna DiNovelli directed by Kevin Newbury, When Last Seen written and directed by Donna DiNovelli, and Breathe Right written and directed by Kolton Harris. She was the choreographer for Songs for a New World by Jason Robert Brown directed by Nicole Brewer. She has directed The Wolves by Sarah DeLappe, Love and Information by Carol Churchill, and She Kills Monsters by Qui Nguyen for Connecticut College, and recently her production of her favorite play The Three Sisters by Anton Chekhov at Eastern Connecticut State University.

She is grateful for her musical collaborators Eric, Julianne, Shoshanna, Sun Hee, Pearl, and Will. She is the proud mama of Jett and Phoenix.

Our offices will be closed this week for our summer dark week so our staff can enjoy some well-deserved time off followi...
08/17/2026

Our offices will be closed this week for our summer dark week so our staff can enjoy some well-deserved time off following our summer season.

If you need assistance, we'll respond to any messages when we return to work on Monday, August 24!

A look into Singing with Aimée Steele this Summer!Aimée Steele is a New York City-based private Voice Teacher, Vocal Coa...
08/15/2026

A look into Singing with Aimée Steele this Summer!

Aimée Steele is a New York City-based private Voice Teacher, Vocal Coach, Vocologist, Director, and Producer. She is the Production Vocal Coach for Buena Vista Social Club, currently on Broadway and celebrating its win for Best Musical Theater Album at the 2026 Grammy Awards. The production is also a five-time Tony Award winner, including honors for its onstage band, orchestrations, and sound design.

Aimée previously served as the Vocal Coach for the Ivo van Hove-directed Broadway revival of West Side Story, and as the Vocal Consultant for Tom Kitt’s musical The Visitor at The Public Theater. She also served as the Production Vocal Coach for the seven-time Tony-nominated Broadway production of Girl From The North Country.

In the six weeks they’re on campus, Theatermakers students study with professional working artists who are experts in th...
08/12/2026

In the six weeks they’re on campus, Theatermakers students study with professional working artists who are experts in their subject matter. In addition to teaching our Theatermakers, these faculty members and guest artists actively work on Broadway, off-Broadway, at regional theaters, in film and television, and more.

Thank you to these talented artists for sharing their insights and serving as mentors to our 2026 Theatermakers during their time at the O’Neill this Summer.

Learn more about the Theatermakers experience at www.nationaltheaterinstitute.org/theatermakers

Recapping Monday night world premiers of new work created by our 2026 Theatermakers ensemble. We are so grateful to our ...
08/10/2026

Recapping Monday night world premiers of new work created by our 2026 Theatermakers ensemble.

We are so grateful to our community for showing up to see the new work developed by our Theatermakers and to our students for sharing their talents with us each week.

We miss our Theatermakers already and can't wait for Summer 2027! Applications are now open. Interested in Theatermakers? Learn more at www.nationaltheaterinstitute.org/theatermakers

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