Young Actors Workshop

Young Actors Workshop (YAW) fosters creative space for students to truly self express themselves through after school theater arts programs (Classic YAW) and animation classes (Animation YAW). The program is divided into two program terms (fall and spring) and ends with a chance for students to perform. Each program term runs for approximately 4-6months (depending on Cabrillo Unified School District's academic calendar).  The spring term ends with an original play performance (approximately 90minutes) that includes original characters, dialogue. humor and songs. The fall program wraps up by hosting a spook-ta-cular Haunted House at Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival.  In the past, the Haunted House was able to raise efficient  funds for our programming. however, the last two years it has been proven difficult to raise funds. Young Actors Workshop is determines to hire high quality staff to provide consistant creative programs for the communities we serve. The organization invites you to read more about our programs and impact.

CLASSIC YAW
Using the guided improvisation techniques learned during weekly workshops, our young actors weave together the characters they have each developed and create a hilarious, zany, original story. Complete with catchy songs and crazy antics, the cast present their show onstage - costumes, makeup, lights, microphones and all - for 3 live performances.

While they are having fun, these young actors are also developing creativity, story telling, self confidence, presentation skills, problem solving, and teamwork.

ANIMATION YAW
Students will get the opportunity to learn animation skills. Each student will get a chance to create their own unique clay/paper character to animate. Animators will have a chance to showcase their animation stories at the May 2020 performance.

May 2020 - Spring Performance
"The Battle of Time: Water Not Advised"

This year will bring a new experience for Young Actors Workshop because it's the first year that we are offering animation classes. The spring performance (May 1st and May 2nd) will combine live action acting and animation to create a unique story that combines time travel and wild creatures! Gear up to go on a wild adventure with the creatively genius YAW's young actors.

Perfomance dates:
Friday, May 1st at 7pm
Saturday, May 2nd at 7pm
Location:
Community United Methodist Church - Social Hall
777 Miramontes Street
Half Moon Bay, CA 94019

October 2020 - Haunted House
This year will bring exciting changes for our young actors as we imagine and create a new "spooky" experience for our Fall Performance.

For 10+ years, at the request of the Half Moon Bay Beautification Committee, Young Actors Workshop partnered with the Spanishtown Historical Society to present the annual YAW Haunted House at the Johnston Barn during HMB's annual Pumpkin Festival.

The Barn is now being renovated to house HMB's new History Museum, and Young Actors Workshop is challenged with a new adventure. What will our actors create? Be a part of the magic with us!

Since its inception in 1990, YAW provides a valuable community benefit to the youth of the coastside. For over 10 years, the students of YAW donned pirate garb and gleefully scared thousands of visitors to our town's famous annual event. The Haunted House was the primary fundraiser for Young Actors Workshop, and all profits helped offset expenses for the students' spring performance.

FOUNDER STORY AND HISTORY
Young Actors Workshop was incorporated as an independent non-profit organization in 1990, succeeding the Coastside Youth Theater (CYT) of the Half Moon Bay Department of Parks and Recreation. The next several years featured successful student performances of the works of various playwrights.

Soon after, under the lead of Artistic Director, Auri Naggar, Young Actors Workshop began an experiment in which the imaginations of students would generate materials for  performances. Using a technique known as "guided improvisation" to influence theater by kids, for kids. Young Actors Workshop is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors dedicated to the YAW mission statement: "To provide a positive environment in which children can develop theater skills and have opportunities for public performance" and honors of the uniqueness engrained into Young Actors Workshop for the families by the late Auri Naggar.

Testimonials

2019 PROGRAM SURVEY RESULTS:  
90% of students have fun in programs
90% of students connects with friends in programs
90% of students create their own unique characters to perform

"MY FAVORITE PART ABOUT YAW IS THE CHILDREN'S CREATIVITY IN DEVELOPING THEIR CHARACTERS... MY KIDS ALWAYS LOVE GOING AND NEVER COMPLAINS."
- PAMELA, PARENT
"MY FAVORITE THING ABOUT YAW IS THAT IT'S CHILD DRIVEN - GIVING THE KIDS FULL EXPRESSION OF THEIR TRUE SELVES."
- SHANNON, PARENT
"YOUNG ACTORS WORKSHOP IMPACTED MY LIFE BY GIVING ME AN OUTLET TO USE MY IMAGINATION AND CREATIVITY."
- ZAC, ADULT ALUMN