At YATS, every show is filled with magic—and not just on stage. Some of it happens behind the scenes, where parents and volunteers help make the fairy tales come to life. One of those magical helpers is Alex Oancea, a long-time YATS parent whose two daughters have performed in many of our shows in starring roles. During Shrek the Musical, Alex became our resident microphone-fitter-in-chief, figuring out how to sneak microphones onto Shrek, Fiona, and a whole cast of colorful creatures—without letting the audience see a thing! For Bye Bye Birdie, he took a seat at the sound desk, helping ensure every solo, scene, and punchline landed loud and clear.
“It’s been lots of fun, as well as a bit of a challenge” he explains. “In a very short time I’ve learnt how to fit a mic on top of stage makeup and make sure it stays put (when our actors dance, move, jump, and twirl) fitting it so that the audience only hear the voice of the actor instead of static or their breathing. But there isn’t much you can do when, during a show, an old microphone suddenly stops working. That’s why YATS has launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise funds for new sound equipment.”
Theater is a transformative experience for our young actors. Countless studies have shown that taking part in theater boosts confidence, improves communication skills, encourages teamwork, and nurtures empathy. At YATS, we see it every day: shy children finding their voice, friendships forming across age groups, and young performers growing into leaders on and off the stage. By supporting our campaign, you’re not just helping us buy new microphones. You’re investing in something where young people grow, thrive, and shine.