Theatre Law, the first law school course devoted entirely to the legal framework of the live stage industry, debuted at Cardozo thi Spring 2026 semester. Taught by Adjunct Professor Ben Feldman, a two-time Tony Award–winning attorney and producer, the course introduces law students to the concepts, customs, and conflicts that shape legal practice in the theatrical world.
Focusing on a distinctive area of entertainment law, the course examines the contracts, intellectual property, labor agreements, and regulatory structures unique to live performance. Unlike film or television, theatre is never fixed in a permanent medium. Each production is reimagined in real time, creating a dynamic artistic environment that requires the law to operate with unusual flexibility.
Throughout the semester, students explore the legal architecture behind plays and musicals, from development to production. Topics include labor relations, financing, rights acquisition and licensing, as well as the disputes that can arise when artistic collaboration intersects with commercial realities. Through cases, agreements, and even box office data, students gain insight into both the legal and economic forces that shape the industry.
By the end of the course, students will have a comprehensive understanding of the legal journey a show takes from early development to opening night on Broadway and beyond.