Dear young actors, members, and friends of YATS, we hope that this YATS Spotlight finds you enjoying these winter days! Here’s our latest news: YATS is excited to announce the next Fall musical, Fiddler on the Roof, with five performances to be held 14, 15, 20, 21, and 22 October 2023 at Point d’Eau, Grande Scène, Ostwald. It has long been considered one of the greatest pieces of musical theater, with a score that is instantly recognized and a story of family that is both funny and touching. Audiences around the world connect with Fiddler because it seems to tell their story.
Here are the key dates for your calendar:
| 6 May, 7 May | Pre-audition workshops | 13h-17h | Gymnase Jean Sturm |
| 13 May, 14 May | Auditions | 12h-18h | Gymnase Jean Sturm |
| 24 May | Callbacks | 18h30-21h | Gymnase Jean Sturm |
| 3 June, 4 June | Pre-summer rehearsals | 14h-18h | Gymnase Jean Sturm |
| 30 August-3 September | End-of-summer rehearsals | 12h-18h | Le Point d’Eau |
Thank you to all of those who participated in our Guess the Musical competition in January. Drumroll…….! Congratulations to our winners: 1st place: Anne Muller; 2nd place: Hélène Bechtold-Dantzer; 3rd place: Catherine Klein
Poster design competition is now open!
Deadline 31 March. YATS’ first-ever poster design competition is officially open for our Fall musical, Fiddler on the Roof. The poster will be used for marketing and promotion around Strasbourg, on social media, and on the playbill itself. Anyone is eligible to make an entry, as long as we receive it by 31 March, 2023. Details for the competition can be found here. Happy Drawing!
A word from Dr. Hanno V.J. Kolbe, YATS Treasurer and Props Coordinator
Four years ago, our friend and YATS choreographer Alicia O’Callahan introduced my wife, Ulla, and me – both of us retired scientists – to YATS, and we quickly became members. Soon we got involved in sewing and designing costumes (Ulla) and manufacturing or hunting down props (myself) for the annual shows. In May 2020, I was offered the job of treasurer and since then I’ve been taking care of the YATS finances and I report to the Board of Directors.
However, if there is the slightest call for props for a new show, I take off my green accountant eye shades, put on my Indiana Jones Fedora, and roam the Web and the villages of Alsace! My fascination with YATS every year centers on the swift development of our young students. At first, they are a curious bunch of youngsters, eager to try out something new – and then they go to the auditions. Under the guidance of the YATS artistic team, they learn how to become real acting, moving, talking, singing, and dancing performers. Finally, after a couple of intensive weeks in this process, they grow together to be a true ensemble ready for the theater stage.And try it – after watching the next show, just turn your head a moment to see what our young actors see: an enthralled, cheering audience that is simply blown away!
I am currently studying biology at the University of Strasbourg and am specializing in biochemistry. Since I have stayed in the same city as YATS for my studies, I have been able to continue participating. Namely, I was on the backstage crew for Guys and Dolls last year and I discovered that it was just as fun and rewarding as being in the spotlight! I had the best time supporting the cast from behind the curtain.
Oscar
YATS has always been a place where I have felt welcomed and encouraged to explore my artistic side. The performances and workshops have been an essential part of my teenage years and still continue to be important to me today. In theater workshop, we once tried scene writing, which I had never contemplated before, but it ended up being one of my favorite activities. In fact, YATS broadened the scope of my view of theater and how to perform. Thinking of YATS always brings back good memories with people who have become my steadfast friends!
We like…
Our Founding President Robert Heuer – we know him as “Bob” – was featured in Opera America’s ORAL HISTORY PROJECT which captures American opera history from the past 50 years. Watch his interview here.
Our friends at Broadway Theater International have opened registration for their week-long intensive musical theater camps. This summer they are offering two separate camps: one week in the Vosges (8-14 July) and one week in Perpignan (16-22 July). Programs are for kids from ages 8 to 18. Discount for registrations before 15 April. Find more info here.