Tova Halpern is an accomplished theater director and educational theater specialist whose career spans over a decade and a half. She earned her B.A. in Theatre Arts from Rutgers University where she notably revitalized the Hillel Theatre Company. After graduating, Tova worked on Broadway under Richard Frankel Productions, contributing to high-profile shows such as Hairspray, Stomp, and Young Frankenstein. She returned to academia to earn a Master’s in Educational Theater from New York University (NYU). Inspired to merge her passions, Tova founded Fresh Theatre Arts, an educational theater company serving schools across New Jersey, offering storytelling, performance workshops, and creative experiences for youth. In the summer of 2023, she was honored to collaborate with Keith Presty on the Highland Park Theater Company summer teen program. With a dual commitment to the stage and the classroom, Tova Halpern weaves together professional theater experience, educational leadership, and creative mentorship. Whether through her work with Fresh Theatre Arts or as an adjunct professor at Mason Gross, Tova is grounded in the belief that theater is not just about performance—it's a powerful way to help people find their voice, tell their stories, and connect with others.

Professional Memberships and Awards

The International Teaching Artists Collaborative (ITAC)
Teaching Artist Guild (TAG)
American Association of Theatre and Education (AATE)
Association of Teaching Artist (ATA)
Association for Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE)
Educational Theatre Association (EdTA)
KAPPA DELTA PI International Honor Society In Education (KDP)
Rising Star Award from the Rutgers Hillel, Rutgers University
PHI ETA SIGMA National Freshman Honor Society, Barry University
Dean’s List, 2004-2005, Douglass College, Rutgers University

Tova has been a professional Director and theatre arts educator for the past 18 years. Tova graduated with her B.A. in theatre arts from Rutgers University in 2006. While at Rutgers, she revitalized the Hillel Theatre Company, directing and producing for the company four shows in two years. After graduating from Rutgers,Tova went to work on Broadway at Richard Frankel Productions, producers for “Hairspray,” “Stomp” and “Young Frankenstein.” After gaining a true Broadway experience, Tova went back to school and received her Masters in Educational Theater from NYU. With her enthusiasm and love for theater and education, Tova founded “Fresh Theatre Arts.”