Our History

Rehearsal for Life uses theater as a vehicle for social change and has served nearly 100,000 young people in Boston and beyond. Our programs help students practice self-expression and creative decision-making in life’s most challenging moments.

Originally launched as an after school musical theater program called Freelance Players in 1974, then expanded in 1992 with Urban Improv, an in-school program created in response to escalating youth violence in Boston, Rehearsal for Life has become a leader in the social-emotional learning space. Today, Rehearsal for Life serves elementary, middle and high school students, parents and educators, reaching thousands of young people in communities across Greater Boston, offering innovative theater, improv and creative youth development programs via in-school residencies, assemblies, musical theater troupes, and more!