OFF THE
/ LANE

Mentorship Program

Let us help you make New York City home!

OTL’s Mentorship Program connects our Mentees with working professional artists to enrich, educate, and engage them in their transition into a thriving career and artistic community in NYC. Over the course of the Mentorship Program cycle, Mentees will meet with their individual Mentors once a week virtually (or in person depending on location/availability) for 8 weeks. The Mentors will cover a wide variety of topics such as housing, transportation, networking, finances, entertainment industry insight, resources, and training. The program is completely FREE for all participants.

Mentees can be actors, directors, producers, playwrights, stage managers, dancers, designers, and more!!!

We are currently accepting applications for our 15th and 16th cycle of the Mentorship Program, which will take place from February 23rd to April 27th, 2026 (MP15) and September 14th-November 16th, 2026 (MP16)!

Our Mentees are:

  • Motivated college seniors and young professionals recently moved to NYC or planning to move to NYC
  • Interested in a career in the arts & entertainment industry
  • Looking to successfully transition from student to thriving professional
  • Available for one 30-minute to 1-hour virtual meeting per week with their Mentor (for 8 weeks)

Apply To Be a Mentee

Spring 2026 Cycle: MP15 (February 23rd-April 27th) & Fall 2026 Cycle: MP16 (September 14th-November 16th)

Application Deadline: 02/13/26

Our Mentors are:

  • Creative arts professionals with significant working/living Experience in NYC
  • In posession of excellent leadership qualities
  • Looking to give back to the next generation of creatives
  • Extensively vetted, interview & trained

Accepting Mentor Applications

Apply To Be a Mentor

I am so grateful for the knowledge, support, laughs and stories exchanged with my mentor. This experience has helped me gain confidence and showed me that I am exactly where I need to be. It has also provided me with amazing connections and a true support system here in New York! Thank you so much Off The Lane! Ashley Aquino, MP13 Mentee.
The Mentorship Program has been a phenomenal experience for me. Matthew's willingness to share his career insights, professional connections, and creative feedback have given me a massive boost as I'm beginning to make my way as a playwright in NYC. I could not have asked for a better person to be my mentor, or for a better way to have spent the last eight weeks. Eric Moore, MP13 Mentee
I have learned that I am the only one who can define myself as an artist, and with that I have learned ways to expand my artistry and who I want to be as a performer. This mentorship cycle has kickstarted my drive to pursue this career, and even if I'm making what seems like small steps now, I know that ultimately these steps are paving the way to a bright future ahead of me!! I am so grateful for this journey, and I couldn't be happier to be a part of this Off The Lane community. Evelyn Carlin, MP12 Mentee.
I will be the first to tell you that when it comes to Off the Lane, I am probably a little biased. However, if you are starting out on your professional artistic journey, and you need accessible or free resources, or if you are looking for a sense of community with other artists, Off The Lane is probably one of the best places to start. Christine Rose Schermerhorn, Board Member and Mentorship Chair.
A collage of 70 mentor headshots.
MP14 Mentees. 11 headshots of young artists.
MP13 Mentees. 14 headshots of young artists.
MP12 Mentees. 13 headshots of young artists.
MP11 Mentees. 9 headshots of young artists.
MP10 Mentees. 8 headshots of young artists.
MP9 Mentees. 8 headshots of young artists.
MP8 Mentees. 7 headshots of young artists.
MP7 Mentees. 10 headshots of young artists.
MP6 Mentees. 18 headshots of young artists.
MP5 Mentees. 25 headshots of young artists.
MP4 Mentees. 20 headshots of young artists.
MP3 Mentees. 10 headshots of young artists.
MP2 Mentees. 4 headshots of young artists.
MP1 Mentees. 3 headshots of young artists.