The Broadway Institute
Become a Broadway Maven!
An all-new eight-week Broadway appreciation course (first week FREE!)
Join theater educator David Benkof for The Broadway Institute—an immersive journey through the rich history, culture, and artistry of Broadway. Meeting every Monday in May and June (except June 2), this all-new dynamic course blends fascinating historical presentations with interactive training in Broadway lyrics and music. Whether you're a seasoned musical theater fan or just beginning to explore the world of Broadway, this course will deepen your appreciation of the Great White Way.
Each 60-minute session includes:
- A lively multimedia presentation on a key Broadway era or theme
- Hands-on lyric and musical analysis to train your ears and eyes like a Broadway insider
- Opportunities for discussion and discovery in a warm, enthusiastic community of theater lovers
Syllabus at a Glance
Week 1: Broadway in the 1940s–1950s — Oklahoma!, Carousel, West Side Story, and the dawn of the Golden Age
Week 2: Broadway in the 1960s–1970s — Hair, Company, A Chorus Line, and the rise of concept musicals
Week 3: Broadway in the 1980s–1990s — The mega-musical boom, Disney’s influence, and Rent
Week 4: Broadway from 2000–2025 — Hamilton, Hadestown, social media, and Broadway's post-pandemic shifts
Week 5: Stephen Sondheim — A full session devoted to The Master of modern musical theater
Week 6: Jewish Broadway — How Jewish creators helped define the Broadway sound
Week 7: Broadway and Society — Exploring race, gender, and identity through shows like Ragtime, Falsettos, and more
Week 8: Into the Future — Revivals, immersive theater, and what’s next for Broadway
Come for the love of musicals. Leave with the tools, context, and vocabulary of a Broadway Maven.
Meets Mondays in May and June (except June 2)
First session FREE – register to reserve your spot! (And new Broadway Maven Members get a whole month FREE.)
The Broadway Maven is a vibrant educational community that helps its members think more deeply about musical theater. Every month, Members may attend 5-15 expert-led classes and innovative Broadway experiences, all for just $18. We also foster enthusiasm for Broadway through the FREE weekly substack newsletter MARQUEE and host an expansive YouTube channel. It's your home for Broadway appreciation and you can become a Member of the Broadway Maven and try one month FREE here: https://thebroadwaymaven.substack.com/2025
David Benkof, the Broadway Maven, has been teaching Broadway and American Jewish Culture online for five years. He aims to help students see the third time things they did not notice the first. His love for Broadway is triply expressed: his classes; his Youtube Channel; and MARQUEE: The Broadway Maven's Weekly Blast substack newsletter. For more information, visit TheBroadwayMaven.com
