Young Actors Summer Theatre (YAST)
Young Actors’ Summer Theatre (YAST)
STAGES Performing Arts Youth Academy’s Young Actors’ Summer Theatre was created by STAGES Artistic Director Donald Cleland 26 years ago. In the first year of YAST’s long history Donald taught it in Hillsboro. The next year he moved it to Forest Grove where it was held at Theatre in the Grove. From there it was moved to HART Theatre, but now STAGES Performing Arts Youth Academy is excited to have the program for the second year.
YAST is a two-week program in which the actors are involved in exploring their creative side through theatre games and activities. This they will do for about half the time. The other half they are creating an original play which will be performed fee to the public the last day of class. The actors will perform it once in the theatre the last day of class.
Due to the nature of the improvisational performance the actors do not have to memorize a script and they have the ability to be creative with lines, characters, scenario and costumes. Also the improvisational aspect allows the course to be geared towards all ability levels. YAST is not just for kids who show a natural talent in performing. Donald is very good at differentiating the program to meet the needs of the different ability levels and helping each and every student feel comfortable working at his/her level.
In addition to learning about theatre and acting, Donald’s goals are to help the kids feel more creative and at ease in speaking and performing in front of others. He also stresses the cooperative nature of theatre, thus teaching kids to work well with people and enjoy the talents of others.
Below are times and dates of each class. Feel free to contact Donald if you have any questions. Contact information follows the dates of the sessions.
Session 1
*Graded 1 – 3
June 20 – 30
8:30 to Noon
Session 2
*Grades 5 – 8
June 20 – 30
12:30 to 4:00
Session 3
*Grades 4 – 6
July 25 – August 5
8:30 to Noon
Session 4 This class is full
*Grades 7 – 12
July 25 – August 5
12:30 to 4:00
*Grades refer to grade child will be entering in the fall of 2011.
Fee: $115.00
You can register for YAST two ways:
1. Click here, and register by clicking “Buy and Donate Now.” (Very soon we’ll have this link on our website.)
2. Contact Donald and request a registration form be emailed to you. Fill it out and mail it to him with your payment.
Make checks out to STAGES Performing Arts Youth Academy
YAST is held at Poynter Middle School, 1535 NE Grant Str. Hillsboro.
Donald Cleland
503-504-4914
Dcleland.stagesyouth@gmail.com