As a mission-driven nonprofit committed to providing innovative learning opportunities to children from all socioeconomic backgrounds, YPT has acquired a distinct viewpoint on the interplay of the arts and cognitive abilities; on how performative play and participatory storytelling help youth build core social-emotional skills necessary for becoming attentive audience members and supportive collaborators. Through TIE, repertory productions, classes and summer camps, YPT sets the stage for success in many fields of endeavor outside of performance.

Expanding outreach

YPT’s long-term vision is to establish satellite outposts and bring programming options to communities on their own terms, working on creative youth development in collaboration with schools, arts organizations, community centers, child-care facilities and owner-operators of affordable housing developments.  By offering a menu of services, from classes and workshops to enabling fully staged productions, YPT aspires to become an on-demand community resource for children to flex their imaginations, develop their own voices and get more in touch with their creativity. The idea is to bring stories to life that are relatable and relevant to the participants, while helping them become more confident in their expressive abilities.

As YPT Executive/Artistic Director Stephanie Holmes explains, “Every person in the world has a story but not everybody is given a platform or the chance to find their voice to tell it. Those who don’t have that opportunity are exactly who need the opportunity.”