Developing Artists

Developing Artists was founded in order to provide young actors the level of training not found anywhere else in the city. DA was established because Jill DeArmon (founder) taught at numerous places in NYC including well known institutions and was astonished by the lack of freedom her students were given to create. These young artists were censored and patted on the head. They were 16 years olds being treated not as serious artists filled with imagination, but as 4 year olds whose opinions did not matter.  Jill started DA promising her students a place where they could be heard, where they could create original work and be taught how to produce it for themselves. She swore to empower them through their art, to give them the tools to say what is important to them and to provide the tools to listen and grow from other people's experiences. Jill kept her promise for the next twelve years.