Valley Youth Theatre
Valley Youth Theatre (VYT) is a regional theatre located in Phoenix, Arizona. Established in 1989, VYT produces six mainstage shows each season. Two of those are produced at the Herberger Theater Center and the others at the VYT stage at 525 N 1st Street in the revitalized Copper Square area of downtown Phoenix.
Professional directors, choreographers, and technicians train the cast and crew of each show. Participation in the shows is fee-free, making its programs accessible to all young people who have an interest. Approximately 900 young people, representing all socio-economic backgrounds and diverse communities, audition each season; more than 350 participate as actors, technicians and musicians. Artistic and Technical leadership consists of professional designers, directors, choreographers and technicians. On a fee-for-services basis, VYT offers classes to children ages 3 years old and up to help with their development and to establish an appreciation for the performing arts at a young age. In addition, VYT offers opportunities for young people to participate in performance troupes, a Teen Improv troupe, and Fall, Spring and Summer Workshops.
Affiliations
- National recognition by Theatre Communications Group.[1]
Community service
- Each season, more than 4,600 inner-city students attend a VYT mainstage performance and are given free books through a "Literacy and The Arts" outreach program
- Each year, more than six hundred children, representing numerous social service organizations throughout the Valley, attend a free performance and are given a complimentary lunch through an annual "Sponsor-A-Seat" program.
Facility
Valley Youth Theatre performs in its renovated facility in Copper Square in downtown Phoenix, Arizona.
An old storefront was gutted in 1998 and rebuilt to include a 30-foot-wide (9.1 m) proscenium stage with orchestra pit, 202 seat continental-style audience seating, a lobby with box office, and "backstage" areas: a lighting and sound booth, small scene and costume shops, and rehearsal and dressing rooms.
History
- 1989: Established.
- 1992: First permanent home in the basement of Tower Plaza.
- 1999: New permanent home at Copper Square in downtown Phoenix.
Notable alumni
External Links
References
- ↑ http://vyt.com/
- ↑ http://www.vyt.com/alumni.aspx
- ↑ Connie Cone Sexton (May 26, 2011). title=Phoenix Valley Youth Theatre's 'Annie' finds dog stars. The Arizona Republic. Accessed 2011-06-06.