Workshops

This is a performance-based a cappella group that works to develop voice technique, musicality and interpretation through various traditional and original songs, mostly in English. Participants will also receive coaching and audition preparation. Performances include caroling at the Christmas market, flash mobs and performances at various events around Strasbourg. Instruction is in English.
Director: Juliana Rambaldi

Wednesdays 18h30 – 20h00
Location Foyer Saint Paul
From November to June
Fee: 325€ for non-members / 250€ for YATS members

Participation in Sunday Afternoons is open to all students who have been in another YATS theater workshop and actors who have been in a YATS productions.

If musical theater is your passion or if you just want to give it a try, this is the workshop for you! Join three master teachers as they encourage you to explore the history, styles and practices that make this genre so popular around the world. You’ll be dancing, singing and acting – pushing yourself to become the proverbial “triple threat”. The workshop will culminate in a performance showcasing your work. Instruction is in English.
Teachers: Victor Benedetti, Juliana Rambaldi and Alicia O’Callahan

Fridays 18h30 – 21h30
Location Foyer Saint Paul
Classes from December to June 2025
Fee: 375€ for non-members / 300€ for YATS members

This workshop introduces children to the basics of theater, acting and singing in a supportive and fun environment. The classes will include both acting and singing as part of musical theater performance skills. An end of the year showcase will be performed in front of parents and friends. Children must be 9 years-old on 1 September and must be attending school classes in English for them to be able to read, improvise, make up sentences and react to other children in English. Instruction is in English. This class is limited to 12 participants.

Teachers: Véronique Zentz and Annalisa Poirel

Wednesdays 17h00 – 18h30
Location Gymnase Jean Sturm
Classes from September to June
Fee: 375€ for non-members / 300€ for YATS members

This workshop provides participants with the basics of theater and acting. It helps young actors discover their own creativity, build self-confidence and reinforce the importance of working with others. Work begins on scripts and character development as well as vocal training. This workshop will end the year with a short musical play for parents and friends. Instruction is in English.
Teachers: Véronique Zentz and Annalisa Poirel

Wednesdays 18h30 – 20h00
Location Gymnase Jean Sturm
Classes from September to June
Fee: 375€ for non-members / 300€ for YATS members

SOLD OUT

This workshop takes you backstage to learn about sound, lighting, video and all aspects of theater production. Workshop participants will have practical experience providing technical support for the other workshops and working on the annual October musical production. Possible field trips, should opportunities arise. Instruction is in English.
Teacher: Célia Kreutter

Tuesdays 18h30 – 20h00
Location TBD
Classes from September to June
Fee: 375€ for non-members / 300€ for YATS members

This workshop builds on the basics through improvisation and physical work. Technique-building is emphasized with a focus on the character work of Michael Chekhov and the voice work of Cecile Berry. Scene work from classic and modern American plays. Final presentation of extended scenes and monologues. Instruction is in English.
Teacher: Victor Benedetti

Wednesdays 18h30 – 20h00
Location Foyer Saint Paul
Classes from September to June
Fee: 375€ for non-members / 300€ for YATS members

SOLD OUT

Technique-building is emphasized with the introduction of Viewpoints physical work and character analysis. Collaborative playwriting is introduced. Scene work from classic and modern American plays. Final presentation of extended scenes and monologues. Instruction is in English.
Teacher: Victor Benedetti

Thursdays 18h30 – 20h00
Location Foyer Saint Paul
Classes from September to June
Fee: 375€ for non-members / 300€ for YATS members

This workshop is designed for actors who want an intensive acting experience with in-depth character study. The techniques of Sanford Meisner are used to help actors find the truth of their characters. Further exploration of structured improvisation. Final presentation varies depending on participants. Instruction is in English.
Teacher: Victor Benedetti

Victor Benedetti

Actor/Director Victor Benedetti studied music and theater at Northwestern University in Chicago. He has performed in plays, musicals, opera and cabaret at theaters across the United States and Europe. He is known for immersing himself in the characters he plays and enjoys the collaborative process of live theater.
His teaching focuses on physicality and using the body to help actors discover and mold the characters they create. Through improvisation and games, students build skills and tools that allow them to feel comfortable in front of an audience and to trust their fellow actors.
Along with leading various theater workshops, Victor teaches voice, and has directed many of the YATS’ musical productions. He also recently directed a production of The Fantasticks and performed in Le Carré d’Art’s production Mise en Plis.
Victor is proud to have started the Young Actors’ Theater workshops here in Strasbourg, and is happy to share his love of theater with a new generation of young people.

Alicia O’Callahan

Born in New York, Alicia O’Callahan studied dance at SUNY (State University of New York) in Purchase. She studied theatre, dance and singing at several renowned schools in Manhattan. After several summers of “Summer Stock” (musicals) in different places, she toured the United States with Ringling Brothers Barnum Bailey Circus as a dancer. Arriving in France to live in Paris, she pursued her passion and became a dance teacher in several regions with a teaching season in Florence. Based in Strasbourg for more than twenty years, she continues to teach and choreograph and co-founded the Young Actors Theatre Strasbourg, where she is the resident choreographer.

Célia Kreutter

A musician since her childhood, Célia has always been in the world of culture and performances. She attended a technical theater school in Besançon from where she graduated with the highest honors of her class. Her knowledge in sound, lighting, and video has allowed her to work equally in concerts venues as well as in various capacities in the theater. She has also worked in general management positions for theater companies and music groups. All her knowledge and experience will be shared in the technical theater workshop.

Annalisa Poirel

Annalisa Poirel has over 30 years experience directing vocal ensembles and loves a cappella singing of all kinds. She currently directs four choirs including YATS Chorus and teaches music in the French public schools. She has a PhD in Musicology from Columbia University.

Juliana Rambaldi

Juliana Rambaldi is a founding board member and Music Director for YATS. She conducts the musical theater productions, leads vocal workshops and the Sunday Afternoons a cappella group, and she gives private voice lessons. She specializes in teaching safe and effective vocal technique that produces beautiful sound in a healthy way. She also trains her students on singing in parts, audition skills, and performance techniques.
Hailed as “A Major Talent” in Opera Now’s listing of the best operatic singers, Juliana won international critical acclaim for her many roles with major opera companies throughout the United States and Europe. She has sung leading roles with such companies as Lyric Opera Chicago, New York City Opera, Houston Grand Opera, Opera Theater of St. Louis, Seattle Opera, Washington National Opera, Glimmerglass Opera, Hawaii Opera Theater, Michigan Opera Theater, and many more. She created roles in many new works, including Catherine in the world premiere of William Bolcom’s A View From the Bridge, which was released on CD. She also performs in a cirque-cabaret show, which involves singing, improvisation, and dance.
Juliana began her operatic career as a member of the Lyric Opera Center for American Artists’ apprenticeship program. She was a National Finalist in the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, and won the prestigious George London Award and the ARIA Award.

Véronique Zentz

Véronique Zentz has directed and taught theater for many years having begun her theater studies at Purdue University in the United States and continuing her training in Luxembourg and with LAMDA in London. Along with acting, she has training in puppetry, fencing, singing and mime.
After settling in Strasbourg, Véronique began working as an English teacher at Gymnase Jean Sturm where she uses her dramatic training to teach English to non-native speakers in a variety of workshops and classes.
Véronique created an English Theatre Company for the Université de Strasbourg where she has directed and acted in several productions. She recently joined Tagora where she directed a Terence Rattigan double bill of All On Her Own and Harlequinade to great success.

Summer Camps

Parents have asked about Summer Theater Camps and here are a few suggestions.

Broadway Theater International – BTI Website This one-week theater camp was created last year by members of the YATS artistic team. The camp is located in Les Genévriers in the Vallée de la Bruche – a 50 minute drive from Strasbourg. Visit the BTI Website for details.
West End Stage – WES Website A number of former YATS actors have attended this theater summer school, which is in the heart of London and is led by West End stars. You can make your West End debut at a world famous West End theatre. WES offers three week-long sessions in August.
Stagedoor Manor – SDM Website Located north of New York City, Stagedoor offers three Summer sessions and each session is three weeks long. Stagedoor offers a total theater immersion plus all the fun of a great summer camp. Students come from all over the United States as well as Europe, South America and Asia. Details on the SDM Website.