Back by popular demand, Sedona Youth Theatre returns for its 17th year at its new home, the Sedona International Film Festival’s Mary D. Fisher Theatre, for two weeks starting July 7. The program was reduced from three weeks to two weeks due to parental requests to accommodate summer plans. The program will run Monday through Friday from noon to 1:30 p.m., and will be followed by a performance open to the public on Saturday, July 20.
Shondra Jepperson and Dev Ross started this youth theatre program in 2007 for enthusiastic theatrical and musical kids from the ages of 11 through 18. Kids will explore their talents by way of theatre games and improvisation, vocal and acting exercises and story development. Youth will have the opportunity to learn techniques from professionals Ross and Jepperson, who continue to work in their fields as actors, writers, musicians and singers.
“We are truly honored to be the new home of Sedona Youth Theatre here at our Sedona International Film Festival theatres,” SIFF Executive Director Patrick Schweiss said. “It is a natural fit with our mission, and we are honored to help groom the next generation of performers. My daughter went through this program for many years, so it is very rewarding for me personally to welcome them to our venue and give them a stage and beautiful theatrical setting for their camps, training, rehearsals and shows. It is such a fantastic program for our youth and teaches so many valuable and important lessons. What a gift to this community and to our youth and families. We are so proud to welcome Shondra, Dev and the young performers here to our venue.”
“We focus the kids on working together creatively as a team and every year the kids do a great job in accomplishing that and so much more. We’re always proud of them,” Ross said.
“We have so many talented kids here in Sedona and the Verde Valley,” Jepperson said. “This year it will be fun to watch our kids perform their show on an actual theatrical stage.”
Tuition for this 10-day workshop is $120 and registration is now open. For more information on registering your child for Sedona Youth Theatre, call (928) 301-8288 and visit thetwolucys.com/sedona-youth-theatre.
