
Youth Ensemble Studio (YES)
Northern Stage’s Youth Ensemble Studio (YES) offers comprehensive theater training for young actors in grades 6-12. Throughout the course of the academic year, YES company members develop their skills in acting, singing, dancing, voice & speech, character development, script analysis, problem solving and working as a team. YES this season includes 5 Main Stage Days, a Fall Showcase and a fully-produced spring musical on the main stage at the Barrette Center for the Arts. In addition, company members participate in five group nights at the theater at Northern Stage with post-show discussions and master classes with cast members from our main stage productions. The Youth Ensemble Studio is a valuable home for theater kids in the Upper Valley who are passionate about theater, want to bring their skills to the next level, and share their talents with the community.
The Main Stage Days and Fall Showcase are included in the YES tuition of $600. Completing this base program – Main Stage Days and the Fall Showcase – makes you eligible to join our Spring Musical.

Main Stage Days
*Participation required for all YES students*
Our Main Stage Days begin with master classes led by professional theater artists from around the country. Then we bond as a company playing theater games and having a pizza party before seeing a Northern Stage production. Finally, after the performance, our students participate in a talkback with the cast to ask questions about the theater industry.
This year we will see 5 Main Stage productions:
Spring Awakening – Sunday, 10/9/22
The Railway Children – Sunday, 12/11/22
‘Bov Water – Sunday, 2/5/23
Sweat – Sunday, 3/12/23
Sense and Sensibility – Sunday, 6/25/23
YES Fall Showcase: Up Next; Songs and Scenes Celebrating New Beginnings
*Participation required for all YES students*
Director: Robert David Grant
Cast: YES Actors
We’re kicking off our season with a cabaret style evening that will give all the YES actors a chance to take center stage! Actors will work individually and in small groups with acting and vocal coaches to prepare material specifically chosen to engage them imaginatively and stretch them artistically. Directed by newly appointed Director of Education Robert David Grant, the schedule is designed to help facilitate everyone’s participation. Unlike with our full productions, actors will not be required to attend all rehearsals. The goal of this project is to give each student a chance to learn and practice acting fundamentals upon which the rest of the year will build, and to share their work with the Northern Stage community.
Rehearsal and Performance Dates: September 13 – October 8, 2022
Registration Fee for Main Stage Days & Fall Showcase: $600
Sliding Scale Tuition and Scholarships are available! Click HERE to learn more.
YES MAIN STAGE MUSICAL
Title: The SpongeBob Musical: Youth Edition
Director: Robert David Grant
Cast: YES & Boot Camp. Up to 32 total.
The Youth Ensemble Studio program culminates with a fully-produced family musical on our main stage. Come sing, dance, and act with industry professionals in a four week rehearsal process and a wonderful week of public performances. After three years, we are thrilled to bring the YES Spring Musical back to the Byrne Theater with the newly released The SpongeBob Musical: Youth Edition.
Rehearsal and Performance Dates: March 7 – April 16, 2023
Click HERE to view full production calendar
Registration Fee: $650
Sliding Scale Tuition and Scholarships are available! Click HERE to learn more.
You must be registered for the YES program in order to register for the YES Main Stage Musical.