About

Established in 1989 by Mary D’Amico as the Rensselaer Youth Theater Workshop on the RPI campus, YAG has grown to become one of the longest running children’s educational theater programs in the Capital Region.  Highlights include participation with Andrew Lloyd Weber’s Really Useful Group as the Children’s Choir in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Proctors, as well as performing with Celine Dion and Andy Williams Christmas Concert at the Times Union Center.

 

YAG is committed to improving the quality of life for children and families in our community by serving approximately 250 young people and families annually in six key program areas each year. We have workshops in stage productions, new play development, theatre arts training, vacation camps; and high school apprentice and college intern programs.

​

The mission of the Young Actors Guild is to encourage a child’s self-discovery, enhance their self-expression, stimulate their imagination and develop strong character. This is achieved by incorporating the highest ethical, moral, technical and artistic standards into a supportive community-based environment.

​

Young Actors Guild provides professional expectations, resources, and mentors that lead young people through the exploration of multiple theatrical disciplines. This process takes place in a nurturing, respectful atmosphere where our students, their families and the community can realize the impact and lifetime character building learned in the theater process.

​

​

We believe that multiple perspectives and experiences are essential to learning and is committed to making programming available for young artists of all socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds. The Young Actors Guild values providing a diverse experience for all participants in their preparation for future endeavors in theatre.

 

Core Values:

• self-esteem

• empathy

• responsibility

• collaboration

• creativity

• perseverance

 

Highlights:

• We sang with Grammy Award winner, Celine Dion in her 1998 World Tour to a sellout crowd at the Pepsi Arena in Albany, NY.

• Performed with Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Company in Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in 1995 at Proctor’s Theater in Schenectady, NY.

• We also performed with legendary singer Andy Williams in his 1998 Christmas Show also at the Pepsi Arena.

• In our recent seasons, the Young Actors Guild troupe performed before over 25,000 patrons at the Pepsi Arena, the RPI Playhouse, the Cohoes Music Hall, & at community events like the Troy Victorian Stroll.

​

​

This year promises to be the start of another extraordinary season!