YORKVILLE YOUTH THEATRE ENSEMBLE

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Yorkville Youth Theater Ensemble has been in existence for six years and is ever growing to meet the needs of the Yorkville Youth community. The philosophy of YYTE is that the theater experience goes far and beyond the performance itself. Our children and teens are involved in a fourteen week learning experience that culminates in the final production. Theater arts-acting, singing and dancing develop character much in the way sports do for our children; for the cast and crew learn that one develops their potential through hard work, discipline, dedication, and teamwork. Each performer brings his or her own special talents which are nurtured and encouraged to bloom. Participants find new friendships and form very special bonds with each other as they work together toward the shared goal. Every effort is made by the directors to put forth a production that reflects an ENSEMBLE, yet at the same time to showcase the gifts and the uniqueness of each performer.

There are two age groups who each participate in their own production. The Majestic Group is made up of children in grades 2 -5, and the Gershwin Group is comprised of students in grades 6- 10. There is some flexibility in the groupings at the discretion of the directors, depending on the needs of a particular production, and the experience and maturity of the performer.

The repertory of YYTE includes original productions as well as youth productions of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat, OLIVER!, GREASE!, Schoolhouse Rock, and Guys and Dolls. Shows are chosen to best suit the personalities, abilities, and talent pool of any given year.

DIRECTOR

The director of YYTE for the 2007-8 season is Mark Erson, who has been the director since its inception in 2002. Mark has had the opportunity to direct at various stages from coast to coast (including Alaska) and has been a regular participant in the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Scotland (the world's largest theatre festival) for the past eight years. He has worked with performers from 6 to 66. When he is not directing he is writing his own plays.

MUSICAL DIRECTOR

The Musical Director is Scott Laughead. This is Scott's first season with Yorkville but he is no stranger to stage or keyboard. He is currently the Director of Education for Periwinkle National Theatre. He has composed and music directed a number of shows for young audiences at Hunter College. And he has been both a classroom teacher and a guest teaching artist at a number of New York City schools.

PRODUCTION HISTORY

2007/2008

Fall Acting Workshop: HY-NEU AND THE DRAGON LORD
Majestics: LOADING BOXES, LOADING BASES
Gershwins: THE MUSIC MAN

2006/2007

Fall Acting Workshop: AESOP'S FABLES
Majestics: SAVING GHOSTLIGHT THEATRE
Gershwins: ONCE UPON A MATTRESS

2005/2006

Majestics: DAVID COPPERCAT
Gershwins: 42 ND STREET

2004/2005

Majestics: LEARNIN' SAFARI (Schoolhouse Rock Music)
Gershwins: GUYS AND DOLLS

2003/2004

Majestics: OLIVER
Gershwins: GREASE

2002/2003

Majestics: THE DANCING SPIDER (Anansi Tales)
Gershwins: JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT

2001/2002

Majestics: BATTLE OF THE BOROUGHS
Gershwins: HOW TO EAT LIKE A CHILD

CHOREOGRAPHER

Barbara Carbone has been the choreographer of YYTE since 2003. She is currently on the faculty of Ballet Academy East, Graded Level Children's Division, teaching children primarily five to nine years old, but has experience working with older children, teens, and adults as well. She is a ballet mistress for the Yorkville Nutcracker (no affiliation with YYAA), choreographer Frances Patrelle.