ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: Rachel Hahn (2015)

To continue with our #YAAPlaysOn movement, we have asked several of our alumni to share news about themselves, their time at YAA and how they continue to “play on” despite these unexpected circumstances.

What have you been up to?

I graduated from Boston Conservatory in May 2019. I recently finished an internship with The Kennedy Center and Washington National Opera. There I was working with the WNO Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program. Now I’m working for Washington Concert Opera as their Special Events Intern. I am also singing with Potomac Vocal Institute’s Professional Development Program!

Tell us about something you learned at YAA that you apply to your life today.

YAA taught me how to be professional. From the little things like bringing a pencil to rehearsal to learning music quickly to working with high profile guest artists.

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: Madeline Statter (2017)

To continue with our #YAAPlaysOn movement, we have asked several of our alumni to share news about themselves, their time at YAA and how they continue to “play on” despite these unexpected circumstances.

CHECKING IN WITH MADELINE STATTER (CLASS OF 2017)

What have you been up to?

I am currently a junior at Oklahoma City University majoring in Musical Theatre. I am currently in the ensemble of Spamalot, a mainstage show at OCU!

Tell us about something you learned at YAA that you apply to your life today.

To always be patient, professional, and enjoy every minute of the rehearsal!

Madeline performing on the YAA stage.

Madeline sitting next to YAA Mentor, Broadway’s Andrew Lippa.

Alumni Spotlight: Vinny Douglass (2019)

To continue with our #YAAPlaysOn movement, we have asked several of our alumni to share news about themselves, their time at YAA and how they continue to “play on” despite these unexpected circumstances.

CHECKING IN WITH VINNY DOUGLASS (CLASS OF 2019)

What have you been up to?

I am currently studying Theatre at Suffolk University with a concentration in Directing. I recently Assistant Stage Managed my school’s production of Violet!

Tell us about something you learned at YAA that you apply to your life today.

Every single role in the show and all of the crew are equally important and deserve the same amount of respect.

What are you doing to “play on” during this time? 

During these times I’ve been trying to stay creative, writing for my own musical that is in the works as well as workshopping for another show. Remote auditions are still going on and I’m happy to say I’ve gotten a few callbacks and it feels good to know that everyone is looking towards the future still.

Know an alumni who would like to be featured here? Have them fill out this survey. Our 10 year anniversary is coming up, and we’d love to reconnect!

Alumni Spotlight: Lindsey Jacobson (2018)

To continue with our #YAAPlaysOn movement, we have asked several of our alumni to share news about themselves, their time at YAA and how they continue to “play on” despite these unexpected circumstances.

Checking In with Lindsey Jacobson (Class of 2018)

Lindsey Jacobson, YAA Class of 2018

Lindsey Jacobson, YAA Class of 2018

What have you been up to?

I am currently a sophomore in Catholic University's  Bachelor of Music in Musical Theatre program. I am a props designer for CenterStage Theatre company’s Little Shop of Horrors.

Tell us about something you learned at YAA that you apply to your life today.

I learned a lot about how a professional production runs and the expectations that are expected of me as an actor, which was a super useful skill coming into college.

What are you doing to “play on” during this time? 

During this time of uncertainty, I like to think of this new found time as a much needed break to revitalize and rejuvenate. I am taking time to refine skills I still need to work on, as well as spending some time exploring and revisiting other creative outlets that I haven't touched on in a long time, like painting. I am working on my dance technique in addition to taking online dance classes, and I am able to put in a lot more stretching time and attention to detail. I am also thankful for the extra time because I am able to put in more time towards my music theory studies, which is something I've definitely needed. Being able to find the positives and identify all of the ways that I can still work on my art and improve my skills has been one of the most vital tools to keeping a positive mindset during this time.

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Know an alumni who would like to be featured here? Have them fill out this survey. Our 10 year anniversary is coming up, and we’d love to reconnect!

Apply to Be a YAA Counselor-in-Training at One of the Best Performing Arts Summer Camps!

Did you know that Young Artists of America’s Summer Performing Arts Intensives was voted one of the Best Summer Camps by Washington City Paper Readers? Want to be a part of this!? A Summer Performing Arts Intensives Counselor-in-Training (CIT) is the primary caregiver for students throughout YAA’s popular summer program. The CIT assists Lead Counselors and staff in a wide range of support duties.

Housing, meals, and a modest stipend is provided.

• CIT candidates must have completed their freshman year in college and be over 18 years of age.

• Applicants must be available 24/7 during the dates of June 26-July 24, 2020, and willing to spend the night in the dorms with SPAI students.

• Previous experience as an SPAI student is preferred, but not required.

The successful CIT candidate will be responsible, energetic, have outstanding interpersonal skills, have a track record of demonstrating good judgment, be willing to take on any task requested, and be passionate about musical theatre.

Applications are due NO LATER THAN March 1, with decisions sent out April 1.

We will only accept applications online at: https://campscui.active.com/orgs/YoungArtistsofAmerica?orglink=camps-registration

More information on SPAI can be found at:http://www.youngartistsamerica.org/summer/
Questions can be directed to info@yaa.org

MATILDA at Olney Theatre Center Spotlights YAA Talent

YAA students, Ellie Coffey and Ella Coulson on Opening Night of MATILDA

Until July 28th, Olney Theatre Center will be performing MATILDA. We here at Young Artists of America are particularly excited about this production because 7 YAA-affiliated creatives are part of the show. This includes two current students (Ellie Coffey and Ella Coulson), two YAA Alum ( Tiziano D’Affuso and Michael Mainwaring), and three current/recent YAA faculty members (Rayanne Gonzales, Tracy Lynn Olivera, and Chris Youstra). On July 4th, 70 of our students attended the performance.

To honor this great relationship with Olney Theatre Center, we sat down with their Associate Artistic Director of Music Theatre and MATILDA’s Music Director, Chris Youstra (who was recently profiled in The Washington Post by Nelson Pressley), to learn more about the show and what he loves about YAA.

Chris Youstra

Why did you all choose this production now?

We thought it would be a fun summer show for our audiences! Jason (Loewith, Olney’s Artistic Director) and I are both big Roald Dahl fans and Tim Minchin's (MATILDA’s Composer and Lyricist) music is so much fun.

Have you found a certain quality in working with the YAA alum and current students in the production? If so, can you elaborate?

YAA alumni tend to be VERY professional and quite talented singers. I have been impressed with all of them!!!

For whom is this production best suited?

Probably for children who are at least 7 or 8 but we are finding that adults enjoy it a lot as well. The humor is so smart and we have top actors in this production (as we try for all of our productions).

To our students reading this looking to get cast in your next productions, what would you tell them?

Continue to work in all 3 disciplines of singing, acting AND dancing and make sure to show off your own uniqueness in the audition. Directors want talented actors but also interesting people as well.

Anything else you'd like to articulate about YAA and Olney's partnership?

We always love having you join us -- your work is wonderful and I always enjoy your performances!!!!

70 YAA students at the July 4th show

A YAA Alum in the Spotlight (in NYC)!

YAA Alum, Mateo Ferro with Artistic Director and Co-Founder of YAA, Rolando Sanz

On the first day of our first session of Summer Performing Arts Intensives, we thought it would fitting to share some wonderful news about an alum to the program, Mateo Ferro!

This week our Artistic Director and Co-Founder, Rolando Sanz, saw Mateo on stage in New York City alongside his cast mates including Helen Hunt, Christopher Jackson, Javier Munoz, and Andrea Burns in Encores! Off Center presentation of Working: The Musical at New York City Center.

The cast of Working: The Musical including YAA alum, Mateo Ferro and award-winning actors like Helen Hunt.

This is the most recent in a step of incredible professional roles he’s landed since our summer program in 2017, beginning with Kennedy Center’s production of In the Heights. We are so proud of Mateo and the accomplishment of his dreams!