Young Actors Guild Program to Become a Program of Summer, Outreach and Advanced Professional Studies at Rensselaer

January 26, 2015

The Young Actors Guild (YAG) is being integrated into the programming serving Summer@Rensselaer youth audiences effective February 1, 2015. Summer@Rensselaer, a component of Summer, Outreach, and Advanced Professional Studies (SOAPS), offers enrichment activities, instruction, and initiatives that allow elementary, middle, and high school students the chance to participate in programs that stimulate their minds and exercise their bodies.

Established in 1989 as the Rensselaer Youth Theater Workshop on the Institute’s Troy campus, the YAG serves approximately 250 young people and families annually from the surrounding community, as well as Rensselaer employees, in six key program areas. YAG program workshops include: stage productions, new play development, theatre arts training, vacation camps, and high school apprentice and college intern programs. As one of the longest running children’s educational theatre programs in the Capital Region, the YAG provides professional expectations, resources, and mentors that lead young people through the exploration of multiple theatrical disciplines.

“Summer@Rensselaer is experiencing a period of growth and is always looking for opportunities to reach new audiences in the community,” said Dr. Stanley Dunn, Rensselaer vice provost and dean for graduate education. “Our summer enrichment programs have traditionally been focused on STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). The rich history of the Young Actors Guild will provide a foundation as we begin to incorporate more arts programs into our offerings, and move from STEM to STEAM.

SOAPS will provide administrative support for the YAG, including logistical coordination, marketing and promotion, participant registration, and budget management. Summer audiences within SOAPS include youth in grades K-12 pursuing academic and athletic enrichment through day and residential camp activities, and adults engaged in professional development programs.

“Integrating the Young Actors Guild into the SOAPS program promotes the Guild’s mission of providing a diverse experience for all participants in their preparation for future endeavors in theatre,” said Mary D'Amico, YAG founder. “The Young Actors Guild is based on the belief that multiple perspectives and experiences are essential to learning, and we will continue to encourage each child’s self-discovery, enhance their self-expression, stimulate their imagination, and develop their strong character, all within a supportive community-based environment.”

For more information, contact Julie Wilson, director of Summer, Outreach, and Advanced Professional Studies, at wilsonj9@rpi.edu or 518-276-6431.