Northern Stage’s Youth Ensemble Studio (YES) is an eight-month program designed to provide access to exceptional theater education for young people in grades 7-12. Company members participate in group days at the theater with post show discussions and monthly master classes with cast members and creative teams of the main stage productions. YES rehearses and performs three productions throughout the course of the academic school year, culminating in a fully-produced musical on the main stage at the Barrette Center for the Arts.
Our 2019-20 YES program is currently full. Please contact the Box Office at (802) 296-7000 or boxoffice@northernstage.org to be added to the waitlist as it is possible that we will expand the program in some capacity.
Main Stage Days:
Main Stage Days begin with master classes, led by Northern Stage staff and main stage actors. A pizza party splits the day before students gather to see the main stage production at Northern Stage, followed by a post-show conversation. Click here to learn more about our 2019-20 productions.
A Doll’s House, Part 2 – Sunday, September 29, 1:30 – 7:00 PM
Jordan – Sunday, October 27, 1:30 – 7:00 PM
The Sound of Music – Sunday, December 8, 10:30 AM – 5:00 PM
King Lear – Sunday, January 26, 1:30 – 8:15 PM
Citrus – Sunday, March 8, 1:30 – 7:00 PM
Million Dollar Quartet – Sunday, April 26, 1:30 – 7:00 PM
Fall Community Engagement Project: Stories of White River Junction
Created by members of YES
Directed by Eric Love
September 23 – October 21, 2019
Click here for the rehearsal calendar. Please note: this calendar is subject to change.
White River Junction is exploding with food, fashion, and new housing. This small one-block town has so many treasures and a score of amazing people who champion their unique businesses. For this project, YES students will interview these community members. Students will then create a portrait piece of a small New England town experiencing a renaissance and present the piece in local venues. We can’t wait for our students to bring the voices of White River Junction to the stage!
Winter White Box: Metamorphoses
By Mary Zimmerman
Directed by Jess Chayes & Eric Love
January 20 – February 16, 2020
Click here for the rehearsal calendar. Please note: this calendar is subject to change.
Called by Time the “theater event of the year,” Mary Zimmerman’s Metamorphoses brings Ovid’s tales to stunning visual life. Nominated for three Tony Awards, including “Best Play,” Metamorphoses juxtaposes the ancient and the contemporary in both language and image to reflect the variety and persistence of narrative in the face of inevitable change. YES students will explore language and connection to their fellow actors through captivating stories that have survived over 2,000 years.
Spring Musical: Frozen JR.
Music & Lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez & Robert Lopez
Book by Jennifer Lee
Based on the Disney Film Written by Jennifer Lee & Directed by Chris Buck & Jennifer Lee
Directed by Eric Love
Choreographed by Virginia Ogden
February 29 – March 29, 2020
Click here for the rehearsal calendar. Please note: this calendar is subject to change.
YES students will bring Elsa, Anna, and the magical land of Arendelle to life in this new musical based on the hit Disney film. Frozen JR. tells the tale of two sisters pulled apart by a mysterious secret. As one young woman struggles to find her voice and harness her powers within, the other embarks on an epic adventure to bring her family together once and for all. When faced with danger, the two discover their hidden potential and the powerful bond of sisterhood. With a cast of beloved characters and loaded with magic and adventure, Frozen JR. is sure to thaw even the coldest heart.
Is YES Right For You?
We are looking for actors who are excited for high quality theater training. The Youth Ensemble Studio is a significant time commitment. When you register for YES, you are signing up for all six Main Stage Days and at least one of the three projects. While you are only required to do one project, we are looking for actors who have an interest in participating in the whole season. The progression of shows is designed to advance the actors’ skills from the spoken word, to scene work, to musical theater. No matter how advanced you are, each of these projects will challenge you at your level and evolve your skills.
Rehearsal Conflicts
It is essential to have all actors together in the rehearsal room to create excellent theater. Conflicts are taken into consideration for casting, so all conflicts must be listed on each project’s audition form and may not be added after auditions. Conflicts are not allowed during tech or performances. If you have conflicts for more than three rehearsals, you must talk to the director to discuss whether your involvement is possible. We hope you are eager to fully participate in YES and that you will reschedule or opt out of other activities to be at rehearsal.
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.
Registration and Tuition
2019-20 YES Tuition is $600. This tuition covers participation in six Main Stage Days (master classes, pizza parties, main stage performances, and post-show conversations), as well as one performance project (Fall Community Engagement, Winter White Box, or Spring Musical). If you wish to participate in more than one project, there will be an additional registration fee of $300 per project.
Scholarship and Payment Options
In an effort to ensure our programs are accessible to all, Northern Stage offers need-based scholarships for the YES program. Click here to download the Scholarship Application. We are grateful to Janet Miller Haines, Heywood Alexander, Michael Aycock and Barry Baker, Education Fund donors, and our entire family of supporters for making YES scholarships possible.
If you do not need a scholarship but have questions about payment options, please contact Box Office Manager Nathan Stevens at nstevens@northernstage.org.
Refunds and Cancellations
Northern Stage is not able to offer refunds. If you have any questions, please contact the Box Office before registering.
Questions?
Contact the Box Office at boxoffice@northernstage.org or (802) 296-7000.