What We Do
 Class Offerings
Most classes at Youth Theatre Interactions are offered
on a Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced level. At present
we conduct 24 classes per week. We accept students from the
ages of eight through nineteen years old. All students must
have the support of their families to study with us and must be serious
about their desire to develop skills in the performing arts. At
YTI students are promoted to the next level when the class instructor
feels that the student has evidenced significant growth. Improvement
is measured by ability to understand and execute technique, attitude,
motivation and, of course, attendance. All students are evaluated
at the end of each semester.
Youth Theatre Interactions operates two semesters
per year: The School Year Semester and the Summer Semester. During
the School Semester, YTI is open for classes daily, Monday through
Friday from 4:00 pm through 7:00 pm in accordance with the City of
Yonkers’ Board of Education’s official school calendar. Enrollment
is held during the first week of September. During the Summer
Semester, classes occur Monday through Friday between 10:00 am and
4:00 pm. Typically the Summer Semester is six or seven weeks
long. Enrollment is held during the last week of June.
Classes are taught by highly qualified professional
artists (see Youth Theatre Interactions’ Instructors). YTI
is proud of the fact that it employs an international faculty of
outstanding performing artists from the United States, the Caribbean
and Africa. At YTI we prize artistic excellence above all.
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Current
Course List
African
Dance (Youssouf Koumbassa
and Alexandria Meyers, Instructors) – Authentic, traditional
West African dances are taught, focusing on the dances of Guinea. Special
attention is given to every detail from the fingers to the toes. Each
class is accompanied by African percussion and instruments. Beginner,
Intermediate and Advanced levels are offered.
African
Percussion (Youssouf
Koumbassa, Pedro Lopez, Jr., Instructors) – Focusing
training on the Djembe, the most popular of African drums from
the Guinea region, this course teaches students how to play the
three basic tones, the bass, the tone and the slap. Not
only do students develop their sense of rhythm, but the discipline
and structure of learning how to play the Djembe increases the
student’s physical strength and mental concentration.
Ballet (Mamie Duncan-Gibbs, Rhema Sterling) – In
this class, the basic positions, exercises, vocabulary and technique
are taught at the barre to ensure proper placement. Afterwards,
students are brought into the center of the dance floor where they
apply these skills to movement, emphasizing style and grace. Beginner
and Advanced Beginner levels are offered.
Drama (Pedro Lopez - Jr./Beg., Ricardo
Lima - Int., Instructors) – Drama
classes are offered on all levels and teach students how to “become
the character” by
working on improvisational skills and scene study. Monologue
work begins in intermediate and advanced levels.
Haitian
Dance (Rhema
Sterling, Instructor) – This class focuses on secular
and non-secular Haitian folkloric dances. Authentic Haitian
percussion accompanies each class. Beginner and Advanced
levels are offered.
Hip
Hop Jazz Dance (Yvonne
McFall, Instructor) – Classes begin with isolations,
giving the head, neck, shoulders, torso and hips a chance to “warm
up.” Steps are shown and then broken down so movements
are very clear to every student. Adding hip hop music,
flavor and style, having fun is the key element in this class.
Beginner and Advanced levels are offered.
Photography (Pedro Lopez, Jr., Instructor) – All
students learn how to operate digital cameras, learning all of
their basic functions including PC compatibility with today’s
state of the art technology. Students use digital cameras
and equipment generously provided by sponsor Fuji Film Photo U.S.A. This
course is currently offered during the Summer Semester only.
Steel
Drums (Alston
Jack, Instructor) – In addition to hands-on drum playing,
students are taught sight-reading while learning to play renditions
of popular songs. Students are taught about rhythms,
tempos and how to work together as a unit. Both Beginner
and Advanced levels are offered.
Tap
Dance (Mamie Duncan-Gibbs, Nicole Hurley, Instructors) – Classes
begin with a basic warm-up consisting of flaps, shuffles, flap
heels and time steps to “wake up” the feet. Steps
are taught with physical demonstration as well as verbal, so
students can learn to apply taught tap terminology. Short
combinations are taught followed by a routine; so students
have the opportunity to coordinate tap sounds and rhythms. Beginner,
Intermediate and Advanced levels are offered.
Vocal
Choir (Laura
E. Hunter, Instructor) – Students learn proper breathing
technique, placement projection and vocalizations. A
wide variety of music ranging from pop to gospel to classical
is taught. Emphasis is also placed on “solo” materials
as well as “holding on to harmonies” during group
vocal selections.
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Youth Theatre Interactions holds residencies in several
Yonkers schools and after-school programs: Yonkers Middle School
(Theatre Dance classes as part of their “Future Stars Program,” PS
25 (Drama Class ages pre-K – 5th Grade) and Yonkers
Community Action Program (Percussion as part of their “Social
Stars Program.”
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YTI’s
Annual Recital
YTI’s Annual Recital began in 1974 and has
continued as a method to showcase the talents of each class. The
entire student body is represented in performing drama, dance and
music. YTI’s Annual Recital is held on the second Sunday
in June of each year. This year the recital will be held at
the Lovinger Theatre at Lehman College at the City University of
New York, 250 Bedford Park Boulevard West, Bronx, New York. Tickets
are $20 for adults and $12 for students and senior citizens. For
more information please contact YTI at 914-963-3040 or e-mail us
at ytiyonkers@aol.com.
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Dance
African – Traditional and authentic West African
dance focusing on the dances of Guinea. Dancers are accompanied
by authentic African percussion and musical instruments and wear
native African costume.
Caribbean – Afro-Haitian dance focusing on
secular and non-secular dances in the folkloric tradition. Dancers
are accompanied by authentic Haitian percussion and wear colorful
costumes inspired by Haitian tradition.
Hip Hop/Jazz - Jazz dance with Hip Hop flavor. Students
are accompanied by recorded contemporary music.
Tap – Exciting tap routines to a variety of
musical selections. Solos, duets and large groups.
Music
Steel Band – YTI’s “Pan Band” is
a 27-piece steel drum band offering calypso, pop and classical music
selections. A smaller band is available for more intimate settings. The
YTI “Pan Band” has had many successful performances throughout
the tri-state area and has developed quite a positive reputation.
Vocal Choir – The YTI Vocal Choir sings a wide
range of music: gospel, pop, jazz, Latin, Calypso and classical. A
smaller group is also available for more intimate settings.
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Drama
Our intermediate and advanced drama workshops perform
several dramatic presentations such as:
“Martin Luther King, Jr.- A
Historical Tribute”
A
production memorializing the life of Martin Luther King, Jr.
from Montgomery to Memphis. Some of Dr. King’s
most famous and rarely heard speeches are recreated and the
Civil Rights Movement is celebrated. What makes
this piece so special is that the students, ranging in age
from 11 to 16, were all born more than 20 years after Dr. King’s
death. By presenting this play throughout the year, the
student performers are keeping the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther
King, Jr. alive. In addition, a performance of this tribute
is given annually at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Legacy
Youth Awards given by the African-American Men of Westchester
and the United Way of Westchester and Putnam Counties.
“Intimate
Realities” Company
(Paul
Kwame johnson, Director and Ricardo Lima, Assistant Director)
- The
award winning “Intimate Realities” teen-touring
company creates and performs plays on topics relevant to the lives
of teens and young adults. The company seeks to educate while
it entertains its peers. The “Intimate Realities” program
was initially developed with a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson
Foundation and the Westchester County Department of Health. In
its fourteen years of existence it has given over 400 performances. Current
productions include:
“A
Rose is Still a Rose, No Matter Where it Grows” – A
play about domestic abuse and violence against women, written,
directed, choreographed and produced by the young women of “Intimate
Realities.” The play is appropriate for ages 13 and
up.
“Smoke,
Smoke, Smoke – Don’t Believe the Hype” – This
play deals with the advertising industry and its attempt to target
our kids as “replacement smokers.” We deal with this
issue in an entertaining but informative manner. At the end of
the performance, we interact with the audience, making sure they
truly understand the dangers of smoking. Statistics from the health
department are used in this production.
“When
Push Comes to Shove, Shove Comes to Shoot” – What
happens when someone steps on a classmate’s brand new sneakers?
A lot of pushing and shoving! This production deals with violence
that our youth are forced to faced daily. What makes this and
all of our “INTIMATE REALITIES” productions unique
are that all scripts are based on statistical truths and are
presented by teens in a language that is easy for their peers
to relate to.
Intergenerational Drama Company
(Stanley
Hart, Director and Ricardo Lima, Assistant Director)
The Intergenerational Drama Company consists of members
of the “Intimate Realities” company and a group of hard
working senior citizens. The company has developed a play entitled “Common
Ground” which portrays seniors and teens in scenarios where
they face misunderstandings, stereotypical behavior and conflicts
based on misperceptions. The play shows how seniors and teens
have plenty of common experiences, which can lead them all to stand
firmly together on “common ground.”
**YTI
is currently seeking senior citizens who would be interested
in meeting one night every week for rehearsals and participating
in occasional performances locally. If you are over the
age of fifty-five and would like more information about joining
the Intergenerational Drama Company please contact Exacutive/Artistic
Director Mamie Duncan-Gibbs at 914-963-3040 or e-mail her at mdgytiyonkers@aol.com.**
Organizations interested in booking a performance
by YTI should contact the Executive/Artistic Director at least six
weeks in advance. Please contact Mamie Duncan-Gibbs at (914)
963-3040 or e-mail her at mdgytiyonkers@aol.com.
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Youth Theatre Interactions’ scholarships are
given in order to encourage our students to further their education
and continue on to college where they can grow and develop using
the skills and values they have learned here. To date, YTI
has awarded over 60 scholarships to deserving students. All
scholarships are awarded at our annual recital.
Jimmy Hill Scholarship: given to a
student who exemplifies a dedication to excellence in the pursuit
of music
Carmelita Walton Memorial Scholarship Fund: Established
by the late Carmelita Walton, this is YTI’s original scholarship
fund, which was established in 1975 to provide awards to YTI students
who have graduated from high school and have plans to go on to college
or other institutes of advanced learning.
Turley Friendship Scholarship: Named after
Tom and Jane Turley, close friends of YTI, this award is given to
one deserving student every year who has best exemplified caring
and concern for their fellow students and fellow human beings.
Sal Amico Humanitarian Award: In memory
of musician and humanitarian Sal Amico, this award is presented yearly
to a student who best exhibits a humanitarian spirit.
Etta Jones Memorial Scholarship: In memory
of musician Etta Jones, this scholarship is presented yearly to a
student who has best evidenced promise and ability as a musician.
Judith A. Kuhn Memorial Scholarship: In
memory of Judith A. Kuhn, this scholarship also is presented yearly
to a student planning on continuing studies after high school
.Elizabeth
O'Keefe Memorial Scholarship: This scholarship is awarded to deserving
students, who for their dedication and perseverance, are continuing
on to college or other institutes of higher education in their chosen
field.
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