Stage the Change

Each year, the Tilles Center at Long Island University comes alive as students and teachers gather for Stage the Change, a conference dedicated to allowing students to use theater and the arts as tools for social justice. The event brings together hundreds of high school students, educators, and theatre professionals from across New York and beyond. Its purpose is profound yet simple: to encourage young artists and future leaders to tell stories that matter, using the stage as a catalyst for meaningful change.

On November 24, 2025, Mr. Plotkin offered insight into how impactful the event is for educators as well as students. He shared that “the program is not only great, but it’s also genuinely fun. There's an energy here that pushes all of us to grow.” According to him, attending Stage the Change motivates both his students and himself to experiment more boldly in their theatre work. He explained that each year he returns to his classroom inspired by the creativity and activism on display. “It reminds us that theatre can be more than entertainment,” he said, “it can be a tool for understanding the world and reshaping it.”

At the heart of Stage the Change are its workshops, led by experts, activists, and teaching artists. Participants dive into sessions on topics such as devising theatre, writing for advocacy, movement-based storytelling, and using performance to amplify marginalized voices. These workshops teach students both artistic techniques and a deeper understanding of the issues they care about, from mental health awareness to climate justice, racial equity, and LGBTQ+ rights.

The conference also features powerful keynote speakers and performances that highlight the potential of art to move audiences. Students witness firsthand how personal stories told with honesty and creativity can ignite empathy and action. Many schools return year after year, bringing new groups of young performers who leave inspired to create work that challenges, questions, and uplifts their communities. 

What makes Stage the Change especially impactful is its ongoing effect. After the event, students bring their newfound skills and ideas back to their own stages, school theatres, community centers, and local festivals, where they continue the conversation. By providing a platform for young artists to confront real-world issues through the performing arts, Stage the Change nurtures a new generation of leaders and creative minds who understand that theatre is more than entertainment; it is a force for awareness, expression, and transformation.

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