Young Actors Theatre (YAT) offers a comprehensive theatre education program in drama, music and dance to children preschool through high school. It is one of the oldest independent youth theatre programs in the country celebrating it's 36th year in 2012.
Young Actors Theatre was founded as "Tallahassee Childrens Theatre" in 1975 by its current Executive Director Christina (Tina) Williams, who held the first classes in the basement of her mother's home. At the beginning the program was supported financially by Williams' father Zoltan Farkas.
Today the theatre has an annual operating budget of over $550,000 and has an annual enrollment of approximately XX. It is the only local theatre to be classified as a "Cultural Institution" by the Cultural Resource Commission.
Students fourth grade and older are eligible to audition for "Company" which is the pool of students who may audition for the season of "Mainstage" shows that are performed each season. Students in Company may also audition for one of YAT's premiere performing troupes which have performed on the steps of the Nation's Capital, at Disney World and at the Atlantis Resort in Nassau, Bahamas, among other locations.
Young Actors Theatre offers scholarships to underprivileged area youth to participate in their program.
Young Actors performing troupe "Attic Players" performs for very young children.
Notable graduates of the program include Cheryl Hines (Curb Your Enthusiasm, Suburgatory), Tony Hale (Arrested Development), and Allison Miller (Kings, Terra Nova).
Address | Phone | Website | Office Hours | Staff | |
609 Glenview Drive Tallahassee, FL 32303 |
386-6602 | http://www.youngactorstheatre.com | info@youngactorstheatre.com |
Monday - Thursday 9am-1:30pm
& 2:00pm - 6:30pm |
Tina Williams, Executive Director Val Smith, Admin Director Robert Stuart, Artistic Director |