The perfect blend of “serious and silly” for kids and teens (age 6-18) whose parent or caregiver has, or has had, cancer.
Stage right
Maya Washington — who directed the aforementioned Wicked workshop — is a multidisciplinary artist with experience as a writer/director, filmmaker, actress, For more information, choreographer, poet and arts educator. visit: mnangel.org Washington discovered her love for performing in a dance class when she was Angel Foundation MNP 0318 12.indd 1 2/8/18 9:58 AM8 years old, and later got her theatrical start at YPC as a teenager. “Teaching and directing are a way for me to give back to YPC for all they’ve done to support my creative development,” Washington said. “I draw on my own experiences as a young artist and think about the teachers who were really impactful in my journey.”
Stage fright
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March 2018 • mnparent.com
One of the biggest obstacles facing young students interested in theater is the fear 2/14/18 3:39 PM of performing in front of others — especially peers. Though most of the kids who enroll in YPC workshops have some experience or interest in participating in theater, performing can still be a scary endeavor for young artists. “Our classes are incredibly inclusive and the instructors are really skilled about making sure that the activities and materials are approachable for a student who maybe doesn’t have much theater 2/8/18 10:39 AMexperience,” said Julie Heaton, YPC’s director of education. Workshop leaders also add in some elements to make it challenging for students who have already spent some time on stage. “A lot of the week is spent focused on building confidence and having fun in the process of taking on new challenges,” Washington said. That might mean singing a solo or singing
in a small group, learning new dance steps or taking on a speaking role. Washington said the week-long intensive workshops are an “extremely ambitious” undertaking. “[We’re] putting on a show with kids who’ve never met, with varying experience in performance, in only five days!” she said. Washington stressed the importance of supporting others in her opening remarks to the Wicked workshop. “If you see someone who’s struggling — those of you who are in a really great space — see if you can notice that and be a support system for them, OK?” Washington told her student performers. Washington then asked her students to think of (and share) one goal for the day. Some wanted to try to remember all their lines, while others aimed to hit their choreography with more power and excitement. “If something happens, whether your voice shakes a little bit or a crack happens or you forget a line, consider being proud of yourself for surviving it,” Washington said. “Can we all agree we will not beat ourselves up today?”
There’s no place like home YPC strives to create a strong sense of community within the company, too. “One of the things we value at YPC is that we’re not just teaching theater,” Heaton said. “They’re learning community building, leadership, empathy.” Workshops help teach theater basics, including terminology, performance and etiquette, but also self-confidence, teamwork, responsibility and professionalism, Washington said. “If I do my job well, they have fun while they’re learning,” she added. Heaton and Washington believe YPC can become a place for kids to feel comfortable while challenging themselves to learn something new. “A lot of our students have really found a home at YPC where maybe they haven’t found that same kind of community at