YES (Youth Ensemble Studio) Jr. is designed for students with a passion for theater in grades 4 & 5. From October through November they will meet twice a week for YES Jr. Academy Days to learn about acting, theater vocabulary and ensemble building. The 2nd half of the program will take place over three weeks in January and February, culminating in a fully rehearsed 30-minute play. Acceptance into the February vacation show is dependent upon attendance during Academy Days, the interest of the student and the meeting of behavioral expectations that we create as an ensemble.
Students in this program also join us at Northern Stage for 3 Main Stage days, 2 YES productions and 1 Main Stage Play, where they will get the opportunity to attend a masterclass, bond over a pizza party with the rest of the company, and join the artists after the production for an interactive talkback. This is the perfect program for young thespians who love to perform.
Fall Academy Days
During the fall academy days we will work on improving acting skills and creating a group ensemble. The academy days will provide a crash course in all things theater in a fun and exciting environment! Each day will run two hours in length.
View Calendar HERE
YES Jr.’s February Vacation Show
Peter Rabbit
Rehearsals: January 16-February 6, 2024
Directed by Sam Empey
Running time: 30 minutes
Performance: February 6, 2024
Youth Ensemble Studio Jr. dives into the classic tale of Peter Rabbit, Beatrix Potter’s beloved story of a mischievous garden dweller and his furry friends. This timeless classic celebrates the adventurous side in all of us, big and small.
Main Stage Days
YES Fall Showcase: Saturday October 7, 2023 (matinee)
A Christmas Carol: Sunday December 10, 2023 (matinee)
YES Spring Shakespeare: Sunday April 14, 2023 (matinee)
Registration:
Fall Academy Days: $250
YES Jr.’s February Vacation Show: $300
Sliding Scale Tuition and Scholarships are available! Click HERE to learn more.
YES Jr. FAQ
Click on the questions to learn more
We welcome students of all experience levels.
While we make every effort to accommodate conflicts, attendance at certain rehearsals and all tech/performance dates is required. Please contact Director of Education Robert David Grant at rgrant@northernstage.org if you have questions about whether your conflicts are compatible with participation in the program and would like to discuss.
A 25% deposit is required to reserve a space in all Northern Stage programs. Payments must be made in full by the program start date. In an effort to ensure theater education is accessible to all, Northern Stage offers sliding scale tuition, need-based scholarships, and payment plans for our education programs. Please click HERE to learn more. Northern Stage is not able to offer refunds.
For additional information contact Director of Education Robert David Grant at rgrant@northernstage.org or the Box Office at boxoffice@northernstage.org.
We understand that some students are at different levels of maturity than their peers, but we design the YES program and its productions with specific grades in mind. With very few exceptions we urge you to sign up for the program/production that fits the student’s school year.
The Fall Academy Days are theater skill building workshops meant to orient young actors to being in a rehearsal room, working as a team and building their confidence. The Spring Production is by audition/invitation only and has public performances.
Participation in Fall Academy Days is mandatory for any YES Jr student hoping to participate in the Spring Production.
We no longer require Covid testing to participate in Northern Stage programs. Students experiencing coughing, sore throat, fever or gastrointestinal distress must contact program administrators to determine whether they can come to rehearsal/performance days.
You will receive confirmation from the Northern Stage Box Office, and will be contacted by the Education department closer to the start of the program with a detailed schedule and an Online Student Intake Form. This form must be completed before the start of the program or the student will be unable to participate.
No audition is required for participation in Main Stage Days or any of the productions. However, auditions do take place when required to assign roles within the productions.
There will be a public performance at the end of the Spring Production
Communication
Theater is about collaboration and good communication is a pillar of this activity. When you sign up for this program, you are making a commitment to clear communication. Parents must check their email regularly and read all the information we send out. We encourage YES students to be actively engaged in email communication alongside their parents.
We are grateful to Janet Miller Haines and Heywood Alexander, Education Fund donors, and our entire family of supporters for making YES scholarships possible. If you would like to set up a payment plan or have questions about payment options, please email boxoffice@northernstage.