History

Founded in 1984 by Artistic Director Meade Palidofsky, Music Theatre Workshop evolved from Palidofsky's quest to find the right marriage between her talents in writing and performing arts and her commitment to social change.

MTW's first productions addressed family conflicts, teen pregnancy, smoking, substance abuse, and violence. Professional artists wrote and presented them in the Chicago Public Schools, with audience discussion following performances. Over time, Palidofsky interviewed and observed hundreds of young people. As her knowledge of adolescents and their life challenges deepened, MTW's work progressed and the company's model emerged; working with teen writers and actors to use musical theatre to prepare youth to make positive life choices.

Starting in 1985, MTW began a series of long-term programs in residence at Aspira Alternative High School, Chicago Public Schools (1986), the Cook Country Juvenile Temporary Detention Center (1991), the Field Museum (1997), Columbia College's Urban Missions Program (2002), and Illinois Youth Center (2005). Several of these relationships continue today, providing the venues for MTW's Temporary LockDown, Teens Together, and Fabulous Females programs.