About
How We Got Here
History
Founded in 1995, YSKP began as a summer theater experience for youth. We became incorporated and established nonprofit status in 1999.
Beginning in 1997, we have annually commissioned an original musical from regional and nationally known playwrights including Carlyle Brown, Peggy Pettitt, Tony Dallas, George Sand and Louise Smith.
To accommodate interested kids under the age of ten, as well as to train future YSKP participants, we started a workshop program in 1999.
In response to an overflow of interested youth, in 2002 we both expanded our season to include a second summer show and added a tour outreaching original youth theater to Dayton and other regional audiences.
Over the years YSKP has interfaced youth with artistic mentors especially in the fields of music and visual arts; in 2003 we have expanded our mission to include media artists. In 2004, we began a youth leadership program, DaBigs, enlisting older youth to mentor younger youth. We also rededicated our artistic goals to include creating theater that addresses issues of identity, conflict resolution and reconciliation for youth.
In 2003, in recognition of his work with youth, our Artistic Director became the first artist to receive a fellowship from the International Peace Research Association. We have received numerous citations for excellence in the arts from area newspapers for 2004 and 2005.
We have increased our grant funding by 40% and individual giving by 25% since 2004. Yearly awards include the OAC, Culture Works of Dayton, the NEA and private foundations.