Youth Company (YC)

Actors’ Age Range: Grades 5-12

Youth Company shows are great for: Friends and family of cast members, folks with young families looking to show their kids what kids can do on stage, or anyone looking to see incredible youth talent break a leg, at a fraction of the cost of a broadway show!

Youth Company invites emerging young artists to take part in a full theatrical production, receiving theatrical training alongside their castmates. Beyond the performance itself, Youth Company builds confidence, collaboration, and communication skills that serve young people well beyond the stage. For many participants, this program offers a first meaningful step toward a future in the performing arts, guided by experienced instructors who are passionate about both theater and working with youth artists! 

Why Attend

Youth Company shows offer something quite rare: the chance to watch young artists rise to the challenge of a full theatrical production and come out the other side more confident, more capable, and clearly proud of what they built together. Youth Company productions focus on process over product, challenging young actors through ensemble building, character work, script analysis and complex choreography. For families, it’s a chance to see your performer in a completely different light, discovering a talent, a stage presence, or a confidence you may not have known was there. For the broader community, it’s a reminder of just how much young performers are capable of when given the opportunity to shine!

Youth Company audiences often become some of Stage 284’s most loyal fans, returning year after year to watch this group of young actors grow, take on bigger roles, and build the skills that will carry many of them into our Main Stage programming, and beyond.

Stage284 values participation from performers of all ages and experience levels and we seek to create a multigenerational experience where adults and children can learn from one another.

Thank you to our Season Sponsors, including: The Comparato Family, M&T Charitable Foundation, Hamilton-Wenham Cultural Council*, Mass Cultural Council and the Law Office of Julie Low