Valley Youth Theatre
Encyclopedia
Valley Youth Theatre (VYT) is a regional theatre located in Phoenix, Arizona
. Established in 1989,
VYT produces between six and seven 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 troup; Fall, Spring and Summer Workshops, and VYTeens, a community service group.
in downtown Phoenix, Arizona.
An old storefront was gutted in 1998 and rebuilt to include a 30 feet (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.
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
. Established in 1989,
VYT produces between six and seven mainstage shows each season. Two of those are produced at the Herberger Theater Center
Herberger Theater Center
Herberger Theater Center is an indoor performance venue featuring three stages in downtown Phoenix, Arizona. Each year, approximately 175,000 patrons, including 30,000 school-aged children share the unique experience of live performing arts on their stages....
and the others at the VYT stage at 525 N 1st Street in the revitalized Copper Square
Copper Square
Copper Square, the 90-block core of downtown Phoenix, is the business, cultural and governmental heart of the city. It comprises the original Phoenix historic town site. Copper Square’s boundaries extend from Fillmore to south of Jackson Street, 7th Street to 3rd Avenue...
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 troup; Fall, Spring and Summer Workshops, and VYTeens, a community service group.
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 SquareCopper Square
Copper Square, the 90-block core of downtown Phoenix, is the business, cultural and governmental heart of the city. It comprises the original Phoenix historic town site. Copper Square’s boundaries extend from Fillmore to south of Jackson Street, 7th Street to 3rd Avenue...
in downtown Phoenix, Arizona.
An old storefront was gutted in 1998 and rebuilt to include a 30 feet (9.1 m) proscenium
Proscenium
A proscenium theatre is a theatre space whose primary feature is a large frame or arch , which is located at or near the front of the stage...
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 Copper Square Copper Square, the 90-block core of downtown Phoenix, is the business, cultural and governmental heart of the city. It comprises the original Phoenix historic town site. Copper Square’s boundaries extend from Fillmore to south of Jackson Street, 7th Street to 3rd Avenue... in downtown Phoenix. |
Notable alumni
- Emma Stone.
- Max CrummMax CrummAaron Maximillian "Max" Crumm is an American actor, singer, and the winner of the role of "Danny" on the televised Grease: You're the One that I Want! competition. He played Danny in the 2007 Broadway run of Grease...
- Columbus ShortColumbus ShortColumbus Keith Short, Jr. is an American choreographer, actor, and singer. He choreographed Britney Spears's Onyx Hotel Tour and worked with Brian Friedman...
- Jordin SparksJordin SparksJordin Brianna Sparks is an American pop / R&B singer-songwriter and actress. She hails from Glendale, Arizona who rose to fame as the winner of the sixth season of American Idol. Sparks won when she was 17 years old, making her the youngest winner in Idol history...
- Chelsea Staub