Since 1999, the historic Sheridan Opera House has been home to the SAF Young People’s Theater, a diverse and flourishing center for young thespians, enrolling over 200 children between the ages of 2 and 18 each year.
With an emphasis on child-centered learning that caters to each student's individual needs, our curriculum ensures an educational process that nurtures both cognitive and creative growth.
The SAF YPT upholds the philosophy that dramatic learning experiences should be non-competitive, and we do not require our students to audition. Young people at varying levels of ability and experience are invited to embark upon extraordinary journeys of wonder, discovery, and imaginative delight.
The Sheridan Arts Foundation has awarded over $90,000 in scholarship awards to Telluride's youth since the program's inception. Additionally, we subsidize all tuition prices to keep them affordable for all families.
SAF YPT Artistic Director, Jennifer Nyman-Julia
Jen has served as Artistic Director of the SAFYPT since its inception in 1999. A graduate of Bennington College in Vermont, she earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Acting and Playwrighting. She also holds a Master’s Degree in Dramatic Education from the University of Victoria in British Colombia. Jen was a faculty member of the University of Southern Maine’s Youth Summer Theater Program and Artistic Director of the Strawflower Children's Theater Company. She was the recipient of the Telluride Writer's Guild "Write Here" award for her original play, "It Just Fits".
Current Course Descriptions & Enrollment
- Adventures in Acting, Two course levels offerred
Instructor: Ashley Deppen; Tuition: $150
Kindergarten*, 3:15 - 4:15pm every Tuesday February 7 - March 13 (FULL)
1st & 2nd Grade, 4:30 - 5:30pm every Tuesday February 7 - March 13 (ENROLLMENT STILL OPEN!)
(*We will pick up Kindergarten students at the Elementary school and serve a healthy snack before class.)
Put on your imagination hats and get ready to pretend, storytell, sing, dance, and play! In this class, we will explore movement, characters, and stagecraft as we bring some of our favorite stories to life. Silly games and fascinating exercises make every class a real adventure! The class concludes with a short performance. Spots are filled first come, first serve - limited to 10 students per class. - Musical Performance*: "Stuart Little", featuring students grades 3, 4 and 5. (ENROLLMENT NOW CLOSED)
Director: Jennifer Julia; Tuition: $400
E. B. White’s beloved tale comes to life on stage in a musical extravaganza fit for the world’s most adventurous mouse! There are no auditions for this performance, and every child is given a speaking role. Learn fundamentals of performance in a non-competitive and esteem-building atmosphere that is focused on FUN!
Rehearsals begin February 20; Mondays & Thursdays, 3:30-5:00. (No rehearsals during spring break.) Performances: May 4, 5, 6 2012
*This workshop enrolls via lottery system which will close at 3:30pm on Thursday, January 26th. Students’ names will be drawn out of hat and everyone will be notified by January 28. - Playbuilding Workshop: Theatre From Thin Air (ENROLLMENT STILL OPEN)
For Students Grades 6, 7 & 8
Instructor: Colin Sullivan; Tuition: $250
Every Wednesday from 3:30 - 5:30, February 8th - April 4th, 2012
Every child has a story to tell. In this class they will get a chance to tell it. Colin Sullivan (company actor and executive director of Telluride Theatre) will lead your children in a beginning exploration in "devised" theatre and play-building. Through a variety of improv, clowning, movement exercises, voice work & creative writing, children will get a chance to express themselves and build their own theatre pieces through original monologue and scene work. The class will culminate in a showcase of their fabulous original work! First come, first serve to the first 10 students to enroll.
Call Artistic Director, Jennifer Julia @ 970-728-6363 ext 2 for more information on all Young People's Theater programming.
