Yorkville Youth Athletic Association
Our Director
Our director, Scott Laughead, began as the musical director for Yorkville's Musical Theatre program in 2005 and became the program's artistic director in 2009. He is the Founder and Director of Keep The Beat: Character Education through the Arts (KeepTheBeatArts.com), an arts-in-education company that provides schools throughout New York City and State with in-school and after-school theatre programs that focus on musical theatre, drama, and character education skills. Additionally, he teaches vocal music to Pre-K - 8th graders at St. Stephen of Hungary School on East 82nd Street. Scott is a playwright, director, musical director, educator, and drama leader whose original plays and musicals have toured professionally throughout the United States. Scott has directed plays, musicals, revues, and storytelling events for Music Theatre North, Hunter College, Lincoln Center, Periwinkle Theatre for Youth, and the Brooklyn Art Museum. As an educator, he has taught performing arts for the NYC Department of Education and worked as a teaching artist throughout New York State. Scott's professional affiliations include the American Alliance for Theatre and Education, Actors' Equity Association, and the Dramatists Guild. He holds a B.A. in theatre from Penn State University and an M.A. in theatre from Hunter College.
Our Choreographer
Barbara Carbone has been the choreographer of YYTE since 2003. She is currently on the faculty of Ballet Academy East, Graded Level Children's Division, teaching children primarily five to nine years old, but has experience working with older children, teens, and adults as well. She is a ballet mistress for the Yorkville Nutcracker (no affiliation with YYAA), choreographer Frances Patrelle.
YYAA Theater
Click on online registration or mail-in form for detailed information.
Yorkville Youth Theater Ensemble has been in existence for ten years and is ever growing to meet the needs of the Yorkville Youth community. The philosophy of YYTE is that the theater experience goes far and beyond the performance itself. Our children and teens are involved in a fourteen week learning experience that culminates in the final production. Theater arts-acting, singing and dancing develop character much in the way sports do for our children; for the cast and crew learn that one develops their potential through hard work, discipline, dedication, and teamwork. Each performer brings his or her own special talents which are nurtured and encouraged to bloom. Participants find new friendships and form very special bonds with each other as they work together toward the shared goal. Every effort is made by the directors to put forth a production that reflects an ENSEMBLE, yet at the same time to showcase the gifts and the uniqueness of each performer.
There are two age groups who each participate in their own production. The Majestic Group is made up of children in grades 2 -5, and the Gershwin Group is comprised of students in grades 6- 10. There is some flexibility in the groupings at the discretion of the directors, depending on the needs of a particular production, and the experience and maturity of the performer.
The repertoire of YYTE includes original productions as well as youth productions of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat, OLIVER!, GREASE!, Schoolhouse Rock, and Guys and Dolls. Shows are chosen to best suit the personalities, abilities, and talent pool of any given year.