NYC-Based Actor and Teaching Artist

Sydney Gerlach

Sydney graduated with honors from Barnard College of Columbia University with Theatre and Education Studies degrees. She has also trained at the British American Drama Academy, the Guildhall School for Music and Drama, Columbia University’s Paris campus, and Northwestern University. She has robust training in classical and contemporary drama, a diverse range of dance and movement styles, and singing and vocal techniques.

Her experience as a performer spans over a decade and her most recent work has included Shakespeare, devised dance theater, and new plays. Sydney is passionate about stretching the bounds of what theatre can be in both form and content and exploring the intersection of her queer and Jewish identities through her work.

In her work as a teaching artist, she sees theater as a vital medium through which to teach self-advocacy skills and instill confidence in young people. She is committed to contributing to a more equitable and inclusive theater landscape in her work both as an artist and educator.

The Very Latest

MFA Candidacy and Summer TYA Work

May 21, 2026

Since September 2025, I have been pursuing a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Contemporary Theater and Performance full-time at the School of Drama at The New School. My coursework encompasses vital aspects of theater, including acting, directing, devising, producing, and theater history. Throughout this enriching year, I have had the privilege of collaborating with a talented cohort of interdisciplinary theater artists from around the globe, all of whom have significantly contributed to honing my craft.

I am excited to announce that this summer, I will be working at Seattle Children’s Theater as the Adrianne Dillard-Coons Education and Engagement Fellow. I will be helping spearhead new educational programming initiatives, collaborating with world-class arts administrators and teaching artists, and learning about educational organizational leadership at one of the top children’s theaters in the country. I am so grateful for this opportunity to apply and further cultivate my robust skillset in teaching artistry at this community-oriented and artistically ambitious institution.