YAAKids

Grades 3-5

PROGRAM FULL FOR 2025-2026

  • WHAT

    • A performance program in musical theatre singing, acting, and dancing, which focuses on storytelling, stage direction, and choreography.

    • A great introduction to the joy of musical theatre in a structured environment that culminates in a performance for friends and family.

    • Award-winning program (Regional Emmy-Award Winning, Best of Bethesda, & Best of DC)

  • WHO

    • Students in Grades 3-5 (ages 8-11)

    • Singers, Actors, Dancers based in Maryland, Virginia, & DC

  • WHEN

    • Full School Year Season (September - April)

  • HOW

    • Video Auditions required, but we encourage students to audition regardless of stage or choral experience, as the program is meant to be a training program that welcomes performers of all levels. Details below.

Overview

PROGRAM DETAILS
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS

Program Details

  • Led by Joanna Hughes, YAAKids is a yearlong performance program for our youngest performers in grades 3-5, which provides instruction in musical theatre singing, acting, and dancing.

    YAAKids strives to introduce the joy of musical theatre in a structured environment as students learn songs from musicals, weaving in harmony, storytelling, stage direction, and choreography. While fostering a strong sense of community, our primary focus is establish a strong foundation in the areas of singing, acting, and movement, through the process of working towards a final performance.

  • YAAKids meets weekly on Thursday evenings from 6:00-7:15pm from September thru May.

    See Calendar below for further details.

  • Rehearsals in 2025-2026 will take place at Loiederman MS in Silver, Spring, MD. Learn more here.

  • YAAKids focuses on a wide range of age-appropriate repertoire from the musical theatre canon. Students will be introduced to material from the golden age of musical theatre through today’s Broadway hits through music rehearsals, choreography rehearsals, and theater games.

    YAAKids will also prepare and present a performance of their own for friends and family in the spring.

  • FULL SEASON (September-May) - $1,250
    - Includes 2 Showcases + 1 Mainstage Spring Production

    • Fall/Winter Semester Only (September - February) - $895

      • Includes 2 Showcases

    • Winter/Spring Semester Only (December - May) - $895

      • Includes 1 Showcase + 1 Mainstage Spring Production

    Learn more about available Scholarships and Awards here.

  • Auditions for the 2025-2026 YAAKids ensemble will take place via video audition in September for the season. If space allows, we will occasionally hold auditions in November/December for the winter/spring semester.

    All of our YAAKids students must submit an audition to be accepted into the program, but we encourage students to audition regardless of stage or choral experience, as the program is meant to be a training program that welcomes performers of all levels.

    Auditions for featured solo opportunities will take place internally throughout the year.

    Please visit our Audition Info section below for more information about upcoming auditions.

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS

Audition Requirements

  • Auditions for YAAKids are open to all singers, actors, and dancers in Grades 3-5 located in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC.

  • All YAAKids auditions for the 2025-2026 school year season of will be VIDEO AUDITIONS submitted online through our online portal: Acceptd.

    • FALL: Video auditions due by Thursday, September 4, 2025.

      • Be sure to review the Best Practices for Video Auditions here.

    • SPRING: Video auditions due by Sunday, November 9, 2025.

      • Be sure to review the Best Practices for Video Auditions here.


  • Online audition registration and video submission must be completed by:

    • FALL: Thursday, September 4, 2025 at 11:59pm EDT.

    • WINTER/SPRING: Sunday, November 9, 2025 at 11:59pm EDT.

      There is a $35 application fee for all applicants. Please note that the fee is only required on your first application of the 2025-2026 season. Students applying for more than one program can enter the following coupon code in the payment section of the Acceptd application to waive the second application fee: 02YAA25

      Applicants can apply for a waiver to this application fee by submitting financial documentation to Acceptd. Please visit the Acceptd Support Desk for more information.

    • a musical theatre or jazz standard selection of your choice that best shows off your voice.

      • Ballad or uptempo are fine.

      • Complete song or 32-bar cut are both acceptable.

    • If you do not have a selection prepared, you can sing a pop song or another song of your choice, such as “Happy Birthday” or “My Country ‘Tis of Thee.”

  • We have laid out best practices for a successful video audition on this page. We recommend you visit it before completing your Vocal Audition.

  • FALL 2025:

    You will be notified if you have been accepted into YAAKids by e-mail by Sunday, September 7, 2025 at 10:00pm.

    Those who are accepted into the YAAKids will have to accept their position by paying their tuition no later than Tuesday, September 9, 2025 at 11:59pm.

    There will be a Mandatory Zoom Family Orientation on Tuesday, September 9, 2025 from 7:00-8:00pm for ALL families (new and returning.)

    The first rehearsal will take place on Thursday, September 11, 2025 from 6:00-7:15pm.

    ——-

    WINTER/SPRING 2025:

    You will be notified if you have been accepted into YAAKids by e-mail by Tuesday, November 11, 2025 at 10:00pm.

    Those who are accepted into the YAAKids will have to accept their position by paying their tuition no later than Wednesday, November 19, 2025 at 11:59pm.

    We will host a short TBA Orientation for new families in December.

    The first winter/spring rehearsal will take place on Thursday, December 4, 2025 from 6:00-7:15pm.

AUDITION TIPS
PROGRAM FULL FOR 2025-2026

Calendar

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