Youth Rep Ensemble
The oldest professional training program for student actors and design technicians in the Pikes Peak region.
The Fine Arts Center Theatre Company offers students interested in pursuing careers in performance and/or design and technical theatre a five-week intensive training program. For 25 years, our Youth Repertory Ensemble has provided an inclusive, safe, and supportive space for students to explore and experiment with the theatrical form through a carefully designed combination of rehearsals and class work. We bring in professional artists to mentor and train the students, guiding them through the rehearsal and build process to culminate in a full stage production on our professional stage with our experienced staff and designers. The performance and technical tracks of the program are designed for both new and returning students to develop basic skills as well as foster continual learning and growth.
2025 Program Details
- Ages 14–18
- Grades 9–12 (as of fall 2025)
- June 23–July 27, 2025 (5-week intensive)
- $1,225 ($1,175 for FAC Members)
- Scholarships available*
2025 Show Details
Hadestown Teen Edition
Performance Dates: July 24–27, 2025
Shabazz Green, Director
J. Chang-Tablada, Music Director
Tracy Taylor, Dance Choreographer
Liz Lee, Stage Manager
General Information
The program begins June 23 and runs through July 27, 2025. A complete calendar will be distributed to students upon receipt of their registration materials.
Classes, workshops, and rehearsals are currently scheduled from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday for the first three weeks of the program. Lunch break is from 12–1 p.m. Students provide their own meals. We will switch to evening rehearsals on July 14, from 1–9 p.m.
All schedule conflicts must be approved prior to registration. We expect all students to be present and prepared to begin on time for all classes, rehearsals, and performances. The intensive nature of this program does not allow for excessive absences.
Design/Technical Track Details
Classes and training for Technical Theatre Students may include the following:
- Art theory and criticism
- Script analysis
- Scenic, lighting, costume, and sound design
- Makeup and hair design
- Stage management
- Scenic painting techniques
- Rigging
- Theatre carpentry
- Costume construction
- Use of hand and power tools
- Portfolios and resume writing
The Youth Rep Technical Theatre program provides students the opportunity to be trained by working professionals for a career in live theatre. It offers students an intensive, vocational program of study in technical theatre. Students will be able to immediately utilize the skills they learn as they design elements of the show that is performed at the end of the program.
As part of the program’s core, students are in direct contact with the technical theatre instructors throughout the day. We keep the number of students in the program low so all students have ample “face time” with the instructors, as well as the opportunity to learn through a master/apprentice approach to training.
Introductory and advanced studies in the theory and practice of technical theatre are offered. Both are designed to challenge creativity, encourage development of problem solving skills, and prepare students for a career in the technical crafts of the entertainment industry.
Upon completion of the program, students will have the technical theatre skills necessary to participate as paid interns for upcoming Fine Arts Center Theatre Company mainstage productions.
Performance Track Details
Applications for the performance track are closed.
Performance Students will receive training in various areas, which may include:
- Monologue and scene study work
- Voice and diction
- Vocal performance
- Dance: tap, jazz, modern, hip-hop, ballet
- Audition techniques: dramatic and musical
- Play script analysis
- Theatre history
- Collaborative process
- Poetry
- Voiceovers
- Directing
- Choreography
We believe that the study of the theatre is the study of the human condition. In the performance track at Youth Repertory Ensemble, students will work on the fundamentals of theatre as well as learn how to collaborate, deepen empathy, lead with kindness, and take space with confidence. The performance track also has a long history of preparing students for a professional acting career. Many of our alumni have been seen on the Fine Arts Center stage in our mainstage productions and have gone on to pursue higher education in some of the best training programs in the country. Our qualified and professional teaching staff members are successful in their chosen field and are able to communicate their experiences to others. The performance program combines classes, studio work, and labs with individual attention and mentorship from these working professionals. Students are also able to experience rehearsals and performances under the guidance of the staff. We believe that this kind of immersive training in various skills and techniques along with a professionally directed performance experience prepares students who may choose this art form as their profession.
*All students accepted into the Youth Rep Ensemble are eligible to apply for financial aid. Please email Sammie Joe Kinnett for details.