Skip to content

Youth Ensemble Studio (YES)

Photo by Kata Sasvari

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, 7/2/23

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
Click HERE to view full production calendar 
Registration Fee for Main Stage Days & Fall Showcase: $600
Sliding Scale Tuition and Scholarships are available! Click HERE to learn more.

Click HERE to Register for YES
Click HERE to Register Using Sliding Scale
YES MAIN STAGE MUSICAL

Title: TBD
Director: TBD
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. Past YES spring musicals have included The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley, Dear Edwina Jr., and Yo, Vikings! After three years, we are thrilled to bring the YES Spring Musical back to the Byrne Theater.

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.

Click HERE to Register
Click HERE to Register Using Sliding Scale

You must be registered for the YES program in order to register for the YES Main Stage Musical.

Is YES Right For You?
We are looking for actors who are excited for high quality theater training. 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 – whether virtual or in person – 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. 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.
Scholarship and Payment Plans
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. To learn more about our new Sliding Scale Tuition Assistance Program, please click HERE.
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.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 about the program?
Contact Jackie Pageau at jpageau@northernstage.org or the box office at boxoffice@northernstage.org or (802) 296-7000.