ANNOUNCING: Our 2020/21 Season

Dear Friends,

As we announce our upcoming 2020-2021 season, everyone at YAA— leadership, staff, and board members— reaffirms our commitment to excellence and racial equity. 

Through our artistic programming, community collaborations, and organizational culture, we strive to champion high caliber storytelling that gives young artists opportunities to explore themes about race and disparity that challenge non-dominant norms. 

However, the events of the past few months have shown us that we must do more. We commit now to clearly calling out racial injustice and communicating the actions we will take to help build an anti-racist community. 

Specifically...YAA affirms unequivocally that Black Lives Matter, and that we must do whatever we can as an organization to bring an end to systemic racism. In the coming year, YAA will take specific actions— some new, and some which are already part of our organizational DNA. Click here to learn more.

Against this backdrop we are pleased to announce:

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NEW SCHOLARSHIPS FOR STUDENTS OF COLOR

YAA’s incoming board President Ollen Douglass has generously created a new scholarship fund specifically for students of color, which will be administered in partnership with specific schools in our community.

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FALL PRODUCTION

SOPHISTICATED LADIES, celebrating the music of DC’s own Duke Ellington and the Harlem Renaissance. This innovative digital production will feature YAACompany in collaboration with: ArtsCentric of Baltimore, and Capitol Tap of Washington, DC, and Divine Dance Institute of Capitol Heights, MD.

YAA is committed to continuing our work of amplifying BIPOC voices, and we are proud that the production will be principally led by an amazing team of black teaching artists from our local theatre community. YAA acknowledges and fully embraces the renewed conversation in the theatre community that telling black stories, like the legacy of Duke Ellington, should be led by black creatives. We are thrilled to be collaborating with renowned dancer and actor, Baakari Wilder (Original Broadway Cast of Bring in ‘da Noise, Bring in ‘da Funk) who will direct and choreograph the production, as well as two of DC’s great music directors, Victor Simonson (National Tours of Memphis & The Color Purple) and Mark G. Meadows (Jazz at Lincoln Center, Signature Theatre).

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SPRING PRODUCTION

INTO THE WOODS: YAA joins the greater theatre community in celebrating the 90th birthday of the legendary Stephen Sondheim with our production of this iconic coming of age fairy tale. Stay tuned for more exciting details about this production in the near future!

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YAAjunior PRODUCTIONS

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This is neither the beginning, nor the end, of YAA’s stand against systemic racism. As we work to give students the highest quality musical theatre training and performance opportunities, we promise to prioritize YAA’s racial equity initiatives for this season...and for all seasons in our future!

Sincerely,

Ollen Douglass, Board President
Lisa Larragoite, Executive Director
Rolando Sanz, Producing Artistic Director
Kristofer Sanz, Music Director
Terry Eberhardt, Associate Artistic Director

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!

Seeking Board Member: Finance/Accounting

Young Artists of America (YAA), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 2011, is seeking a new Board member with finance/accounting skills to serve as Treasurer and contribute to its vision of helping students find their voice! Based in North Bethesda, Maryland, YAA offers world-class training to gifted and committed young performing artists in a professional and nurturing environment. Through mentorship and individualized instruction from renowned artists, students work collaboratively to perform fully orchestrated works of music-theatre in state-of- the-art venues such as the Music Center at Strathmore, where YAA resides as the arts center’s first Affiliate.

See our web site at YAA.org for more information.

Working closely with YAA’s Executive Director and Board of Directors, the new Board Member will focus on the organization’s financial health, future growth, and long-term sustainability.

The ideal candidate will have the following skills/qualities:

• Previous business and/or non-profit management skills

• Experience in accounting or financial field

• Able to think and act strategically

• Passionate about the importance of the performing arts

• Able to foster and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders, including community partners, staff leadership, and Board Members

• Comfortable being an ambassador for YAA at performances and community events

• Willing to participate in fundraising and able to successfully solicit and steward donors

• Collaborative by nature, placing focus on shared objectives and goals

• Embraces cultural, gender, and racial diversity

Responsibilities for this position include:

• Review monthly financial statements and work to improve financial reporting

• Review YAA’s annual tax filings and audit, prepared by an outside accounting firm

• Deliver financial updates to board

• Help staff develop strategies for the organization’s future growth

• Prepare for and attend regular Board Meetings (5/year) and Committee Meetings (as needed)

• Attend at least two YAA programmatic events per year, be it performances, classes, or rehearsals.

• Recognize the value of financially supporting the organization

• Engage in fundraising activities in ways suited to the candidate’s skills and comfort level

For more information, or to discuss this opportunity further, please contact: Lisa Larragoite Executive Director Young Artists Of America lisa@yaa.org 301/272-8604

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!

SHARING: Broadway's Next On Stage Competition

We wanted to share this exciting opportunity with our community. Please find this announcement from Broadway World issued April 29, 2020.

Grand Prize Includes $1000 Donation To Charity Of Winner's Choice

Winners will record and release a single benefiting The Actors Fund on the Broadway Records label.

BroadwayWorld announced today the launch of BROADWAY'S NEXT ON STAGE - a new, online musical theatre singing competition for student performers sponsored by Broadway Records! Inspired by your favorite network TV singing contests, the site is inviting high school and college aged students to submit videos of themselves performing a song from the musical theatre canon to enter the competition.

Entries for college students aged 18 to 22 (including recent graduates) are currently open and can be submitted at broadwayworld.com/nextonstage. Submissions are open through midnight on May 8th. Entries for high school students aged 14-17 will open next.

Those moving on to the next round each week will have Friday through Monday to record and submit a new song for the next round of the competition!

As we move down to the top 10, we will feature weekly live shows on Facebook with Broadway judges who will provide feedback and have the opportunity to move one of the contestants on to the next round by unanimous decision.

Both the college and high school winner will receive a Broadway prizepack with merch from the BroadwayWorld Theatre Shop, CDs from Broadway Records, and $1000 to a charity of their choosing, and both first-place winners will also have the opportunity to record a single, to be released by Broadway Records, with the profits from the recording being donated to The Actors Fund.

"Students across the country missing out on their long-awaited performance opportunities, we felt it was our responsibility to step in and help in any way we could." said Robert Diamond, Editor in Chief of BroadwayWorld.

"We had immense success with our virtual showcase which allowed for college students to audition for agents, managers, and casting directors in place of the traditional annual NYC showcase most schools organize. We've had everyone from major Broadway and national tours, to feature film and network television casting reach out for contact information. We're thrilled to be able to continue to shine a light on the students who are the future of the American musical theatre."

Submit Your Entries Here!

Announcing #YAAPlaysOn

Hello Friends!

Rolando here, Producing Artistic Director and Co-Founder of YAA. I speak for everyone at YAA when I say that we hope you and your family are healthy and doing as well as can be expected under the circumstances. We also want you to know that YAA is here to help you get through this time of uncertainty and isolation. 

Music is what brings us together as a YAA community, and music is what can lift us up in the days and weeks ahead.  And, so we are excited to bring you a special social movement we’ll be curating, we’re calling #YAAPlaysOn!

Here’s what #YAAPlaysOn looks like now. Although, please check back for updates as we’re continuing to add to this as more ideas take shape and tools become available:

• WATCH PARTIES - EVERY TUESDAY and THURSDAY at 7:00pm

  We will be hosting a YAA Watch Party where we invite students, parents, alumni, staff - the entire YAA family - and beyond to join us for a live stream of a recent YAA production. All are welcome! Find the schedule and access the watch party at www.yaa.org/watch-party or by clicking the button below.

• CREATING AND POSTING NEW CONTENT

We will post newly produced content to our social media accounts with our current students using virtual at-home software. Check out our first virtual production here (and embedded on the right). 

• HOSTING FREE VIRTUAL CLASSES

We’ll be hosting brand new Virtual Classes with our instructors via Instagram Live & Facebook Live (for now - but this may move to another platform soon). All are welcome to join us free of charge!

• WE’LL POST UPLIFTING MESSAGES FROM OUR STAFF

  We’ll regularly post uplifting messages and videos from our staff on our social media pages checking in on you and encourage you to do the same using #YAAPlaysOn.

FOLLOW ALONG WITH #YAAPLAYSON:

Together, we will get through this. All of us at YAA hope you will stay safe and connected to your YAA Family! 

Play On!

Rolando Sanz
Producing Artistic Director & Co-Founder
Young Artists of America at Strathmore 

HEALTH UPDATE

Updated March 15, 2020, 7:40pm

Friends,

With the health and safety of our students, staff, and audience as our priority and in an effort to do our part to protect the most vulnerable during the current pandemic— YAA is making a number of changes to our programming.

• We are postponing our production of Beauty and the Beast with Alan Menken. The performance (originally scheduled for March 28) has been rescheduled for June 12, 2020, at 7:30pm, at the Music Center at Strathmore. Tickets already purchased will automatically be transferred to the new June 12 performance date.

• All current ticket holders will be contacted by email by the Strathmore box office early this week with more information. Strathmore will be glad to handle all ticket-related questions at that time. Additional tickets for the June 12 date can still be purchased here.

• YAA is also temporarily halting all rehearsals and classes effective immediately. Currently registered students will be notified separately about plans for moving forward.

• At this time we are keeping our May 2 & 3 dates for Frozen JR at AMP by Strathmore. However, we will be re-evaluating this over the coming days.

• At this time, we have every intention of proceeding with our summer programming. However, we will also be reevaluating as the situation evolves. 

Now, more than ever, we are sustained by your support and the faith you continue to show in our shared mission of supporting youth performing arts.

Kris and Rolando Sanz and I, and everyone at YAA, hopes you stay safe and well. We look forward to the day when we can all gather safely again to watch our students take the stage.

Sincerely,

Lisa Larragoite
Executive Director
Young Artists of America at Strathmore

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Updated March 12, 2020, 11:30am

Dear YAA Family,​

A lot has happened in the past 24 hours in regards to the COVID-19 pandemic. I am sure that many of you are anxious about how daily life will proceed over the coming days, weeks, or even months. We want to reiterate that our students’ well-being is ALWAYS at the forefront of our minds. We are all fortunate to be able to devote our extra time and energies to this art form that we love so much called musical theatre, and our students’ passion in their work towards Beauty & the Beast and Frozen JR, as well as their efforts in their classes, has been awesome and inspirational.​

There are still many unknowns about what will be possible for the communities in which we live in the coming days and weeks. What we do know is that all recommendations are for folks to hunker down for the short term (at least) for the well-being of our communities.

As a result, we have decided to cancel all rehearsals and classes scheduled for TONIGHT, Thursday, March 12, and Saturday, March 14. We have been working hard over the past week to come up with various contingency plans for our upcoming productions and classes, and we will continue to finalize a course of action in the coming days.

Our hope is to be able to be back in touch with you by this Sunday evening, March 15, with an update of what our course forward will be with our upcoming programming. You have our word that we will continue to be completely transparent with our plans, and that those plans will be made with the safety and welfare of our students and families as our first priority. While right now, we might have to take a pause in rehearsals and classes, our current goal is still to provide our students with outstanding learning and performance opportunities, be it as scheduled, or in the near future. 

That is what we know for now. We promise to share more on Sunday evening and as the situation continues to unfold. Thanks so much for your flexibility with us, as well as for trusting us with your kids. YAA is what it is because of YOU, and we never take that for granted.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to myself, Kris, Paul, or Lisa with any questions or concerns.

Rolando Sanz
Producing Artistic Director
Young Artists of America at Strathmore

Please Vote For Us for BEST OF DC!

Please vote for us for BEST SUMMER CAMP in Washington City Paper's Readers Poll. Last year we won 2nd Place. Will you help us get 1st Place this year?

Simply write in "Young Artists of America at Strathmore" into the "Best Summer Camp" category, under the "People and Places" section - it's the last one listed in that section.

Polls close 11:59pm on March 1st.

We Won BEST OF BETHESDA - Best Youth Music Program

We are thrilled to announce that we won Bethesda Magazine's Best of Bethesda Reader's Poll 2020 for BEST YOUTH MUSIC PROGRAM.

We owe it to all of you for voting for us and for inspiring us to provide the best program! Thank you!

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

A Huge Success - Because of You!

Dear YAA Family,

You never cease to amaze us! We humbly asked for you to help us make our $45,000 end-of-year 2019 goal as part of our #OnlyatYAA Campaign. And, in typical #OnlyatYAA fashion, you went above and beyond! Here's what you all helped us do:

• We raised over $58,800!

• Over half of you were first-time donors!

• We doubled the number of supporters from last year!

• We received a matching donation of $20,000 from angel donors!

Because you helped us accomplish so much, we can now ensure that students from all backgrounds can take part in the unique opportunities YAA provides, such as:

• Studying with world class mentors like award-winning, Broadway composers Jason Robert Brown, Stephen Schwartz, and…this year, Alan Menken, who will join us for Beauty and the Beast on March 28, 2020, at the Music Center at Strathmore.

• Performing alongside Broadway stars like Kristin Chenoweth and Matthew Morrison

• Taking the stage at world class venues like Strathmore and the Kennedy Center

• Participating in EMMY Award-Winning TV Specials

Here's to an incredible 2020!

Thank You!

Rolando, Kris, Lisa, Terry, and Paul

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AND THE WINNER IS...

As part of our campaign, we ran a contest for our fundraisers. We're pleased to announce the winners to our community:

Jill Herzog (in honor of her mother, Susan Herzog)

Top Fundraiser ($7,813) & Most Donors (18 donors)

Prize: Meet & Greet with Alan Menken

Paco Cosio-Marron

Second Top Fundraiser ($425 from 5 people)

Prize: YAA Swag Bag

Wendy Susswein

Third Top Fundraiser ($121 from 3 people)

Prize: YAA Swag Bag

CONGRATS & THANK YOU!!!!!!!

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Didn’t get in before the close of the year? It’s never too late to donate to YAA! Help make dreams come true.

YAA Goes Out of this World!

Last month, YAA students were honored to perform at the Opening Ceremony of the International Astronautical Congress in DC. Space.com featured us in a write-up of the evening. And, you can watch our two full performances at this link - timestamps 21:50 and 1:03:58.

It was a fantastic experiences for our students and yet another example opportunities that only happen at YAA!

HIRING: YAA Alumni Engagement Intern

Are you our new YAA Alumni Engagement Intern?

Forward-thinking, fast paced performing arts non-profit, based at Strathmore Music Center in North Bethesda, MD, is seeking an alumni engagement intern with a strong interest in arts marketing and development. Young Artists of America at Strathmore (YAA), brings professional-level performance and training opportunities to some of the most talented young performing artists in the Mid-Atlantic.

The intern will assist with marketing and development tasks targeted at increasing YAA’s engagement with its growing alumni and alumni parent community.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• College graduate

Engaging with alumni on social media

• Helping plan and organize alumni-engagement events

• Developing a calendar of alumni-engagement activities

• Creating an alumni database

The ideal candidate will be a creative thinker, have strong research and writing skills, be comfortable working with new databases and software, have excellent oral communication skills, and be proactive in follow-through of timely work. A YAA alum is strongly preferred.

Students applying for this internship should be undergraduate, graduate students, or recent graduates with an interest in arts administration. Work with Word, Excel, and Google Drive is expected. Previous work with Vendini, Tessitura or similar database software is highly desirable.

This internship is non-salary, but a modest honorarium is available. Parking available; average of 10 hours per week, including occasional evenings and weekends for performances and special events.

For more information on our organization, visit YAA.org.

Send resume and cover letter to: lisa@yaa.org.

Paco's POV: Once Upon a Mattress Overview

YAA is excited to have the return of a beloved blog column called Paco’s POV. Our wonderful Orchestra Manager, Francisco José “Paco” Cosió Marron, will be writing these regularly to give you a bit more background on the production we are currently working on, Once Upon a Mattress. Check back often to get your fill of Paco’s POV!

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Dear YAAOrchestra,

Now that we’ve a couple of solid orchestra rehearsals under our belts and you’ve heard the pitiful renditions of the lyrics from Mr. Sanz and myself, you should be ready to delve into the story, the roots behind the story, the composer and some of the wonderfully ironic and idiosyncratic characteristics of our main characters: Winnifred and Dauntless, the author – Hans Christian Andersen, the composer, Mary Rodgers and the lyricist, Marshall Barer.

Starting with what you have heard and have learned, the incalculably exquisite wordsmithing of the lyrics by Marshall Barer (1923 – 1998) created lines full of ironic turns of phrases. In the opening lines,

“Many moons ago in a far-off place lived a handsome prince with a gloomy face for he did not have a bride. Oh, he sighed "Alas" And he pined, Alas, but, alas, the prince couldn't find a lass who would suit his mother's pride.”

He sets out the dilemma/conflict of the story in two short sentences and using homonymic turns of the phrase ‘alas and alack’ between exclamations, nouns and verbs we learn that we lack a lass.

If you’ve not read the script, YAA has provided here.

The composer is pure Broadway royalty. Mary Rodgers (1931 – 2014) was the daughter of Richard Rodgers (Rodgers and Hart, or Rodgers and Hammerstein) Though she collaborated with the likes of Stephen Sondheim and Sammy Cahn and had many of her songs recorded by Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra and others, her first musical foray Once Upon a Mattress may have been her most successful venture on the Great White Way (Broadway.)

Hans Christian Andersen (1805 – 1875) was a Danish author; a prolific writer of plays, travelogues, novels, and poems, though he is best remembered for his fairy tales. His most famous fairy tales include "The Emperor's New Clothes," "The Little Mermaid," "The Nightingale," "The Steadfast Tin Soldier", "The Red Shoes", "The Princess and the Pea," "The Snow Queen," "The Ugly Duckling," "The Little Match Girl," and "Thumbelina." His version of The Princess and the Pea was one of his shorter stories and almost a throw-off as there were several similar fairytales that already existed when he first read it as a child (possibly the Swedish version.) Even so, it caught the eye and imagination of Mary and Marshall.

Dauntless: an adjective meaning – showing fearlessness and determination (save maybe in the face of his mother, the queen, Aggravain.) Dauntless had matured and was past the marrying age because he could not find a bride that would suit his mother, how aggravating is that to our tale.

Winnifred the Woebegone is our heroine. The indefatigable and undeniably indelicately aggressive yet shy princess-frog “that came from the land of the foggy, foggy dew where walking through the meadow in the morning is like walking through glue!”

Remember that the premise of this story is, according to the King and Queen, is that true royalty can only be tested by one's sensitivity; the ability to be upset by a pea under a stack of mattresses. And consider the young lady who swims a moat, wrestles like a Greek, drinks like a lord, etc. and you begin to see the ironic comedy of the play.

Paco Cosio-Marron

YAAOrchestra Manager

Senior News: Peerce Carr

It’s graduation time again. A bittersweet time when we have to say goodbye to our seniors but know they will go on to do great things! For this week’s blog we sat down with Peerce Carr, a graduating senior from Glenelg County School, to hear what’s on his mind for next year and beyond. Check it out…

Want to be featured too? Fill out this form.

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What's your plan for next year?: I’ll be majoring in in Film/Television with a minor in writing or music at Drexel University. I plan to continue to write, sing, rap, act, direct, and create throughout the process. I’m going to continue working on a film I’ve been making and continue making as many connections and have as many great experiences as possible.

What's your favorite YAA memory?: There’s so many, it’s between the last note for In the Heights and freestyling with friends each year.

What is something you learned from YAA that you will take with you?: Work hard, stay focused, humble, and go for it. Put your all into everything you love.

Senior News: Gabriella Anifantis

It’s graduation time again. A bittersweet time when we have to say goodbye to our seniors but know they will go on to do great things! For this week’s blog we sat down with Gabriella Anifantis, a graduating senior from Woodrow Wilson High School, to hear what’s on her mind for next year and beyond. Check it out…

Want to be featured too? Fill out this form.

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High School: Woodrow Wilson High School

What's your plan for next year?: In the fall I will be attending University of Southern California, where I will be pursuing theatre under their School of Dramatic Arts.

What's your favorite YAA memory?: My time at YAA was short, and not starting sooner is one of my biggest regrets. Though the time was limited, I was still able to make lasting memories. One of my favorites was getting to perform the national anthem at the Nationals baseball game.

What is something you learned from YAA that you will take with you?: YAA taught me a lot about professionalism, and the importance of balancing discipline with elation.

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!