Youth Theatre Interactions

Successes, Honors and Awards

Receiving the WCBS-TV award for "Fulfilling the Dream"

Successes

Over the past thirty-four years, Youth Theatre Interactions has provided the Yonkers and Westchester communities with fifty-five highly qualified professional performing artists/teachers in the areas of theatre, dance, music and photography. YTI has given over 15,000 classes, 1,400 performances; 70 college scholarships and has served well over 6,000 students. Bringing pride and notoriety to our participants and Westchester County, YTI has:

Appeared seven times at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts
Appeared on WNBC, PBS and WCBS television in New York City and WGPR in Detroit
Received the keys to the City of Detroit and a High Commendation for the City of Los Angeles for tours of those cities
Seen its students accepted into the finest school theater programs
Seen its students go on to do professional work on stage, television and screen

Honors and Awards

July 2006 - Received Proclamation from the Westchester County Board of Legislators, proclaiming July 14, 2006 as "Youth Theatre Interactions Day" in Westchester County.

April 2006 -YTI is honored by the Untemeyer Performing Arts Council for their "contribution to the community" and "dedication to the performing arts."

August 2005 - YTI student Alex de Castro lands lead in the Broadway production of "The Lion King."

September 2005 - Our "Intimate Realities" drama company performed at the recognition dinner for POW'R AGAINST TOBACCO to a standing ovation.

September 2004 - YTI's Advanced Drama Students appeared in the 1st Annual "Broadway Comes To Yonkers" alongside Broadway stars Maurice Hines and Ann Reinking at The Riverfront Library in Yonkers.

January 2004/03 - Youth Theatre Interactions advanced drama touring company is invited to perform for the second year in a row its production of "Martin Luther King, Jr., a Historical Tribute" at the Westchester County Center as part of the county's celebration of Martin Luther King Day.

November 2002 - The "Intimate Realities" company is invited to perform at the Westchester Community Foundation's Award Breakfast in Rye, New York.

October 2002 - Directors Hill and Johnson receive the Community Award for their leadership in the effort to end domestic violence from "My Sisters' Place" in White Plains, New York.

August 2002 - The "Intimate Realities" company wins four Theatre Awards at the "@ The BeVard National Teen Drama Festival" in Syracuse, New York.

February 2001 - YTI receives the Fulfilling the Dream Award given by WCBS TV, Channel 2, New York for continuing the dream of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

February 2001 - City of Yonkers salutes YTI at Yonkers City Hall. 2001 - YTI is given the Cab Calloway Award (an arts and culture award) by the Westchester County Government.

November 2000 - YTI given Herbert C. Cave Memorial Award from the Westchester Community Opportunity Program for exceptional community service.

June 2000 - Director James P. Hill is given a Millennium Award by the Westchester Arts Council for his contribution to the arts in Westchester County.

December 1999 - Directors Hill and Johnson receive The Organization Award from the New York State Alliance of Art Organizations at a gala event at Lincoln Center in New York City.

1998/99 - The Haitian Dance Company travels to Albany to represent Westchester County at the Statewide Arts Day at the Legislature Building.

October 1997 - Directors Hill and Johnson honored with Community Leadership Awards by the Mental Health Association of Westchester County.

1997 - YTI is chosen to present one of its newest productions “Job Interviews: Don’ts and Do’s” at the United Way Power Breakfast.

June 1995 - YTI’s “Intimate Realities” company is chosen to headline the “Lakeside VIII Health Conference” at St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York by presenting the AIDS awareness and education production entitled “Risky Business.”