Bringing theater to life with workshops and performances!
For over 10 years we have been introducing young people ages 9 to 18 to the delights of musical theater. Sign up for an acting, singing, or technical workshop and audition for our next musical.
- October 2024
Shrek the Musical is SOLD OUT!
Tickets for all five fall performances of Shrek the Musical are sold-out on 12, 13, 18, 19 and 20 October 2024, at Le Point d’Eau in Ostwald. However, there is a chance we will get ticket returns on the day of each performance – so even if you don’t have a ticket you might still be able to see the show – just come along and cross your fingers!
Shrek the Musical is based on the DreamWorks film and uses heart and irreverent humor to show the importance of looking beyond outward appearances to find what truly matters. Filled with great songs and a genuinely funny script, this show is a crowd-pleaser for audiences of all ages. We hope to see you there!
A word from Coordinator of Volunteers Svetlana Kostadinova-Schall
“YATS wants Shrek the Musical to be a successful production and relies on the strength of its volunteers! Since June, our young actors and the artistic team have been working hard to offer their fans another great fall show Shrek the Musical at Le Point d’Eau. Behind them, important but unseen, is an army of volunteers doing a huge amount of support work – from obtaining costumes (and driving them from the United Kingdom!), hunting for props, building scenery and backdrops, to developing a communication, technical, logistical and concessions plan. Every little detail is being prepared by our beloved bees humming away in the background. All of this is done with “true love” for YATS and our kids.”
The month of October is the home straight, she explains: “Now comes the ultimate part of the adventure, the show, where the excitement, the emotions and the energy of our young actors waiting to go on stage and share the results of their efforts. Here again, parents and friends volunteering to support the two-week marathon that includes logistics for scenery and props, renting and driving trucks, hair, make-up, applying (green) prosthetics, costumes and “quick changes”, stage and sound settings, and, out front, the preparation and sale of concessions and merchandise to help fund this tremendous enterprise. Dear members and friends, you can appreciate that there is a lot to be done. This can only happen with the support of volunteers and we would be happy to have you all join us! If you’d like to be involved, contact us by email or social media, including though the WhatsApp YATS community. Your skills, time, and energy will be precious and you’ll be rewarded by sharing with our young actors the many moments of joy, passion and success. Looking forward to seeing you during the next two weeks of the YATS Shrek the Musical experience!””
Magic Behind the Curtain: The Costumes Team is in the Spotlight
by Anne Attuil-Kayser, Costume Coordinator
Every production is a journey that transforms the abstract into the extraordinary. Among the many essential cogs in this creative machine, costumes play a pivotal role. The work of our dedicated, passionate although amateur costume team goes far beyond simply dressing the actors—it is an intricate dance of imagination, craftsmanship, reflection and collaboration that brings each character to life and creates the immersive ambiance that defines YATS’ shows.
Dressing over 40 young actors is no small feat. It demands seamless teamwork with the artistic team; dedication and time of parents playing the roles of designers, storage hunters, seamstresses, and wardrobe assistants; involvement of families and friends to search their wardrobes for this unique missing piece; and patience and understanding from the actors going through endless trials with excitement or disappointment, until finding the perfect fit.
Each member brings unique skills to the table, working together to craft costumes that are both striking and functional. It requires a great deal of collaborative effort to dress up each character, mindful to authenticity and coherence and attentive to every detail considering the comfort, mobility, quick costume changes, broken shoes and last-minute adjustments to meet the dynamic needs of the production.
After months of creation, seeing the magic come to life and sharing the intense emotion of our young actors backstage is a treat. Adjusting an apron while comforting, sewing a missing button or ironing a shirt are unique human experiences that go far beyond caring for costumes.
The costume team’s work is a beautiful example of how behind-the-scenes efforts are crucial to the overall success of each show, bringing stories to life in the most vivid and engaging ways. We hope that you like what we have done for Shrek the Musical! Go Green!
Meet our new Musical Assistant Sean McGinley!
“Hello YATS World, my name is Sean McGinley and I am so happy to be a new member of the YATS family ! Originally from Washington D.C., I moved to France in January 2022 to continue my saxophone studies at the conservatory of Strasbourg.
I received in Bachelor’s degree in Music Education at Shenandoah Conservatory in Winchester, Virginia. During my time at Shenandoah I participated in numerous ensembles, such as the wind ensemble, concert band, saxophone ensemble, and saxophone quartet. During my final semester I was the first prize winner of the Student Soloist Competition with my interpretation of John Mackey’s Concerto for soprano saxophone and wind ensemble.
Shenandoah Conservatory is also nationally recognized in the US as a leading school for musical theater education, and I had the opportunity to perform in the pit orchestras for shows like UrineTown, Nice Work If You Can Get It, and a 40-show run of Grease under the baton of legendary Broadway Music Director Patrick Brady.
Since arriving in France, I have completed one Master’s degree in performance and I have just started a second Master’s program in saxophone pedagogy. I have performed in France and around Europe with numerous orchestras, wind ensembles, and saxophone quartets.”
Sean continued about his work with YATS, “I am so happy to be working on this year’s production of Shrek the Musical as a Musical Assistant. Even though I am a saxophonist at heart, I often found myself behind a piano during rehearsals to teach harmony parts to students, working one-on-one with the young actors and playing along during rehearsals. It has been a pleasure to work with such a talented group of people, and I look forward to continuing in the future!”
2024/25 Theatre Workshops – Register Now!
Whether it’s acting, singing or the technical aspect of theater, YATS has something for you. Below are the available workshops along with the details for interested young actors.
Find your role in YATS
YATS is excited to announce the creation of the following volunteer roles: Logistics Manager, Sound Manager and Lighting Manager.
Along with this, job descriptions and ways to help at Shrek the Musical can be found on our here. This is a great opportunity to become more involved in YATS activities and to learn new skills in a friendly and relaxed environment. Training and coaching can be provided.
YATS Likes…
Syracuse University wants you!
Got a spare room? Why not welcome a university student (aged 18-22) into your home for a semester? Our students come to Strasbourg for an authentic taste of life in France, and so we’re looking for welcoming homes where they can make lifelong friends, pick up local knowledge, and perhaps improve their French! Interested? Contact us today to learn more about becoming a paid host!
Contact Mme. Hardenberg at Syracuse University on 03 67 22 00 87 or send an email to mhardenb@syr.edu.
