Stagecrafters Youth Theatre
Stagecrafters is committed to creating and nurturing opportunities for young people and their families through its Youth Theatre (SYT). SYT performs live theatrical plays by youth for youth with the goal of fostering teamwork, self-esteem and an enthusiasm for the arts.
SYT is designed to empower young people from ages 8 to 18 by providing the opportunity to learn all aspects of theatrical productions including:
• Acting • Lights • Sound • Costume • Choreography
• Set construction • Set painting • Set design & set dress
• Stage managing • Producing and directing
• Playbill • Play selection • Photography
• Hair & Make-up Design • Props
• Publicity (logo design and press releases)
• Technical direction • Audition organization • Music Direction
The entire production process teaches some very important life skill such as teamwork, cooperation, timing, communicating, listening, flexibility, leadership and, most importantly, that hard work can be fun!
The Little Mermaid (non-musical), July 22 – 25, 2010
Monster in the Closet (comedy), October 28 - 30, 2010
Click here for a YOUTH THEATRE membership form.
For a list of upcoming auditions, please visit our Auditions page. Willy Wonka Junior information now posted!
For more information about our Youth Theatre program, please contact us at
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To learn the history behind Youth Theatre, click here.
Click here for a link to a listing of all past youth theatre shows.
Jennifer DeRita Scholarship for the Performing Arts
Stagecrafters’ Youth Theatre (SYT) is theatre by the youth for the youth with themes that appeal to families. Youths involved with a production earn points toward a scholarship.
With a goal of fostering teamwork, self-esteem, and an enthusiasm for the arts in our community, the Jennifer DeRita Scholarship each year awards monies toward the recipient’s higher education.
Jennifer DeRita was a part of SYT for many years. A tragic car accident took her life in July 1998. A scholarship has been established in her honor to help support the goals and dreams of our youth. This scholarship program promotes theatre arts as a career, cultivating advanced theatrical skills and craftsmanship in graduating high school seniors who meet the scholarship requirements.
Life skills are also learned and practiced since young people have to set short- and long-term goals, strategize how they will accumulate enough points to be eligible for the scholarship in their senior year, make the proper choices since different points are awarded for each category, then implement their plan of action.
We invite you to make a donation to this fund by placing a contribution in the plexiglass tube located in the lobby of the theatre or by contacting Stagecrafters at 248-541-8027. Contributions by check are tax deductible.
List of Past Scholarship Recipients:
2009 -10 Erinn Gustafson
2008-09 Mackenzie Gibson and Blair Steen
2007-08 Elyse Moon and Nick Yocum
2006-07 Kim Hunter and Kate Sikora
2005-06 Brittany Wilson and Lauren Wilson
2004-05 Kevin Scolin
2003-04 Sean Grier
1000 Hats Youth Improvisation Program
How many hats will you wear?
1000 Hats is a metaphor for the many characters, roles and personalities a student of improvisation plays. One moment you’re a baker challenges with making a dozen cookies on the moon without an oven and the next you’re a policeman who sings songs to offenders rather than making arrests. It’s all about thinking quickly on your feet!
Through games, activities and performances, improvisers explore and assume many roles and have the opportunity to (figuratively) wear many hats.
The popularity of improv has been fueled by TV shows such as “Who’s Line is it Anyway?”
What is improvisation?
Improvisation, or improv, is a form of acting in which no script is used. Instead actors create the dialogue and action themselves as they perform. Simply put, improvisation is making it up as you go along.
Why improv?
When students learn improv, they learn life skills such as public speaking, narrative, confidence in front of an audience, teamwork, communication, and creative problem solving. Besides being a lot of fun, improvisation teaches the actor the important life skills of…
- Communication
- Creating
- Listening
- Trusting
- Relaxing
- Performing instinctively
- Working as an ensemble
- Everyone can act - everyone can improvise
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