Mana Allen

Mana Allen is an Adjunct Lecturer (Acting) at Barnard College and Manhattan School of Music. She is also a founding faculty member of NYU/CAP21 Studio. Her interdisciplinary expertise spans Musical Theatre education, history, performance, and dramaturgy.

Her career combines academic teaching with professional practice: she has directed original musicals (including Broadway roles), written, and curated over 60 exhibits at the NYPL Library for the Performing Arts since 2008. Her family’s legacy in Broadway is chronicled in The Untold Stories of Broadway.

Allen’s students have achieved notable success in theatre, television, and film, with over 75 Broadway credits and multiple awards. While no formal grants are listed, her extensive volunteer work and exhibit curation demonstrate significant institutional engagement.

She currently leads initiatives at NYPL Library for the Performing Arts, blending archival preservation with live performance production.