Fiddler on the Roof – viewing at the Vox on January 21
On October 22 Fiddler on the Roof was the most successful fall musical in the ten-year history of YATS. It broke every previous record for tickets sold, audience attendance and fundraising. We hope you were one of the 2000+ audience members who enjoyed this musical classic!
The YATS Executive Board greatly appreciates your dedication and support, whether as an actor, a member of one of our production teams, a parent, a volunteer or a friend or family member attending the show. We couldn’t have done it without you – thank you!
As a gesture of our appreciation, we would like to invite you to come and watch Fiddler on the big screen at the VOX Cinema on January 21, 2024, from 10h00 to 13h00. Further details will be announced in early January.
Sunday Afternoons at the Strasbourg Christmas Market
The Sunday Afternoons, under the direction of YATS Music Director Juliana Rambaldi, is an advanced, performance-based a cappella group (by invitation or audition only) that works to develop voice technique, musicality and interpretation through various traditional and original songs, mostly in English. Please contact Juliana if you’re interested. Find more information here.
Yes! The Sunday Afternoons will continue their annual tradition of singing carols at the Strasbourg Christmas market! This year they’ll be out on December 13, starting at 19h00 in Place du Temple Neuf. We hope to see you there!
Performance Training Workshop is open for registration
The YATS Spring Musical (think Urinetown) will be rehearsed in the context of a weekly workshop. There will be no auditions – anyone aged 15-19 is welcome to sign up. The musical will be chosen once we know who will be involved in the show. Rehearsals will begin after the Christmas holidays and will take place on Friday evenings (18h30-21h30) at Gymnase Jean Sturm. Performances will be in May. The actors will be working with Alicia, Victor and Juliana, so this is an excellent chance for anyone who wants to be challenged to improve their skills and have more performance opportunities. Register now.
A word from Véronique Zentz, Assistant Director
Véronique shared with us, “My acting training started in the USA, and then I began working on my directing skills in France before continuing at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA). I found my first directing role here in Strasbourg with Tagora’s Harlequinade production in 2018. During the show I was lucky enough to meet with the extraordinary YATS artistic team, who offered me a position as a workshop instructor for the younger actors’ group (ages 9-12). I immediately accepted and started my YATS adventure!”
She continued, “I was so excited to discover how musicals are produced. After seeing my first YATS production, I literally fell in love with musicals. I made my debut with YATS as Assistant Director for Oklahoma and then continued working with Victor (Benedetti) and Alicia (O’Callahan) and have been with the production team ever since.”
YATS asked Véronique about her experience with Fiddler on the Roof: “I first saw Fiddler back in 1976 and have dreamed of being a part of this show ever since. It’s an honour to have been involved in this YATS production, and being Assistant Director for Fiddler was the best present ever! With this show, I was given a chance to participate in fields I had not experienced yet, such as choreography, and I also had the opportunity to practice directing skills with Victor. I would like to thank the artistic team for making my dream come true!” Véronique continued, “I can now turn my directing efforts to the younger ones. In Spring 2024 both the Introduction and Entry Level 1 workshops will come together to do a musical, but – shhh – the name of the show is still a secret!”
YATS Alumni in the Spotlight: Emma Murray
Past productions: Fame, Beauty and the Beast, How to Succeed…, Grease, Oklahoma!, Annie, Guys and Dolls, Assassins, Into the Woods
Emma shared with YATS, “After finishing high school at the Lycée International des Pontonniers, I took a gap year to start building my art portfolio and apply to different schools. In my second year I did prep studies at Superior Institute of Applied Arts (LISAA) Strasbourg, where I developed an interest in graphic design. Now, I am currently studying Graphic Design at the Lycée Andrée Mairaux in Montereau-Fault-Yonne, an hour from Paris.”
“Before joining YATS, I had fun learning poems and reciting them in front of my class. I didn’t really know much about theater, but I had an interest in acting. I joined YATS in 2013 through their acting workshops and every Monday I went to my theater class and I had a lot of fun. I soon discovered that it was something I really enjoyed. I grew a lot since then and I can say that I found confidence through the shows and that all the hard work was worth it. My first show was Beauty and the Beast and my most recent was Into the Woods. As an alumnus, I know it can be nerve-racking to audition, but once you do it, you’re so proud of yourself. So, to the newcomers: have a go and, as they say, break a leg!”
We want you!
Following the recent success of Fiddler on the Roof, YATS is excited to announce the creation of the following volunteer roles: Logistics Manager, Sound Manager and Lighting Manager and a remunerated Technical Theater Workshop instructor.
Job descriptions can be found 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.