About

Making A Difference

YSKP: Not Just Quality Theatre, But A Quality Experience.

Since 2004 YSKP has been conducting a formal assessment of its products and outcomes. Results from our evaluator as well as testimonials from youth, audience members, parents, alumni, and community members resonate the following extraordinary returns from YSKP to our community.

Click on list items to read testimonials from YSKP youth, parents, and audience members.

  • Develops artistic, social needs of youth
    • I saw my daughter completely transform during her time with YSKP. She went from an insecure girl who has had years of problems with friendships to a confident, in charge of herself, playful person. I had to attribute these changes to YSKP-she met new children from other communities who saw her anew and through their creative processes together she learned to really like herself. I am very grateful.- Parent

      Without YSKP there would be a sad hole in the summer activities for the kids in the village. The intellectual and artistic kids would lack a forum that unites them in a common endeavor and allows them to discover others who are also passionate about the arts, a chance to socialize with others who are like them. They need this collaborative experience, this interaction. For some kids who are home schooled, YSKP is extremely important as a meeting and gathering place. –Community Member
  • Fosters a sense of happiness and accomplishment
    • It’s rewarding. You’re happy and proud at the end. It’s a top of the world feeling when they clap. I feel successful. –YSKP Youth

      We get all the benefits of a communicative and happy child! Doesn’t every parent want their child to be happy and excited about life and stretching and growing in new directions? -Parent

      I’ve sent the impact on YSKP youth, they love it! –Audience Member (teacher)
  • Adds new works to the theatre repertoire
    • Good theatre, avant garde theatre, original, not available elsewhere in the community. Creativity is always surprising, even though we have come to expect it, helps audience see in new ways. - Audience Member

      Mo better! -Audience Member

      Such an original show and so current that you know it is alive, an evolving process. –Audience Member
  • Source of pride for youth, families, and community
    • It will and does changes the perception of the community toward what kids are capable of. They earn at a very a young age the respect of the community. –Audience Member

      Provides you with a positive image in the community. People stop the kids. They recognize and praise you. –YSKP youth

      It brings people together and supports healthy expression in kids and that’s good for everyone. –Audience Member

      It’s positive experience for the children involved and something about which we can all brag! -Audience Member

  • Enriches family relationships
    • It is a focus for thought and activity all year round- goal setting, activities to enhance the skills needed for YSKP, thoughts about monologues, reflections of characters, family entertainment, and reliving memories when watching the tapes. It is a tremendous bonding experience for the kids, who bring new friends into our lives. Also it is a community builder when parents, kids, community members unite to help with the production. -Parent My family gets closer when we all come back together and talk about YSKP. –YSKP Youth
  • Strengthens bonds of community
    • The community comes together to support the theatre. It is one of the things that brings people in the community together. It allows the community to praise and value the kids. In this way it brings the different generations together. It bridges the gaps that we are so aware of in other ways. -Community member
  • Enriches cultural offerings for the Miami Valley
    • It provides prestige for the Miami Valley. -Youth

      YSKP serves this age group like our community center serves older citizens. Because it is theatre it increases the variety of activities available in YS. Because it is children’s theatre, it increases the variety of theatre available in YS. Although it is children’s theatre, it is entertainment for all ages. –Community Member Contributes to the arts and culture of the area and provides an amazing opportunity for young people. –Audience Member
  • Quality intergenerational experience for all
    • Of all the various cultural experiences YS offers, this is one of the best: such a high quality multi-generational experience. –Audience Member

      YSKP functions as an intergenerational theatre. Because it is collaborative and includes musicians, writers, and others, it strengthens the other arts that are a part of the community and whole fabric of support for the arts. -Community Member
  • Attracts outsiders to the community
    • Has the potential to draw audience from beyond our region-can be a building block for a seasonal arts draw. Already draws people from around this region. Just amazing art. High quality. Provocative. –Parent

      Participation in the arts develops a central core to the community. It gives purpose and experience to the adults and children of the village and brings in others from the edges of Yellow Springs to partake in the experience. I believe that YSKP fosters an overall sense of community and shows everyone the depth and relevance of keeping the arts alive and well. -Audience Member
  • Supports two core values of Yellow Springs: children and theatre
    • It sends the message that we care about our children and the performing arts are alive and well-it’s a precedent for life. -Audience Member

      What you do for your children you do for the most deserving of your community. –Community Member

      YSKP is part of the community theatre that is a core to the village life and its energy. -Community Membe

      This is a theatre town! All the kids act all the time at all the levels of school and community. The local college has theatre, there is a long history of summer theatre and Shakespeare, adult theatre abounds, parents and kids are in plays together, the high school has a marvelous theatre program. We have many actors and theatre professors living in town. This town is theatre. We love it and support it. YSKP is part of that. Theatre summer, winter, spring, and fall….We all get to see the kids, year after year, as they mature. It is a big part of Yellow Springs. -Parent