Coit, Dorothy, 1889-1976

Dorothy Coit (1889-1976) was an educator specializing in the arts, dance, and theatre. She and partner Edith King (1884-1975) began working together on children’s theatre productions while at the Buckingham School in Cambridge, Massachusetts. In 1922, Coit and King relocated to New York City and opened their own arts school and children’s theatre in 1923. The King-Coit School and Children’s Theatre offered arts programs for children from five to twelve, and featured acting and dance classes led by Coit, and drawing and painting classes taught by King. The studies were aimed toward a theatrical production. Roles were not assigned until shortly before the performances, and children learned the entire script. Coit wrote any adaptations and directed all productions, while King designed the sets and costumes, often based on off historical manuscripts, books, and art. The plays would each run for a few weeks, and the plays were repeated over the three decades the King-Coit School and Children’s Theatre operated. The institution closed in 1959 when King retired due to health concerns, though Coit continued to teach occasional classes at other schools through the 1960s.