Young Actors Theatre
About
50-Year Tallahassee Performing Arts School with Own Theater
Young Actors Theatre (YAT) was founded by Tina Williams in 1975 and is one of the nation's few independent children's programs with its own on-site theater. The school serves over 800 students ages 3-18 with acting, singing, and dancing instruction across multiple program tracks.
Multi-Track Programming
Students enter through Enrichment classes or audition into the YAT Company - the 120-student audition-based ensemble that anchors mainstage productions. Programs include:
- YAT Company (audition-based ensemble of 120)
- Enrichment Programs (open enrollment)
- Conservatory and Extra Classes
- Private Lessons
- Summer Camps (Camp YAT)
- MainStage Productions (fall, spring, summer)
- Music, acting, dance, and film training
- Scholarship support
What's Included
- Own on-site theater (rare for kids' programs)
- Two-semester format: first semester technique, second semester performance
- Drama skills, vocal stage work, movement/dance integration
- Scholarships available for committed students
- 50+ year operational history
Experience
The on-site theater is genuinely uncommon - most kids' programs rent venues for end-of-session showcases. YAT students get to work in their performance space year-round, which produces stronger stagecraft. The 120-member YAT Company gives committed students a real ensemble track.