Business Details
12 Years
experience
Youth Theatre Programs in San Francisco
Founded in 2014 by Director Emily Klion, San Francisco Youth Theatre (S FYT) is a community arts organization dedicated to transforming youth and communities through accessible theatre arts creation, education, and performance. Our programs foster personal growth and social impact by providing year-round skill-building classes, performance ensembles, and internships for youth aged 4-24. We specialize in creating inclusive spaces where young people from historically underserved communities can act, dance, sing, direct, write, and form lasting connections. Our commitment to equity and justice drives our anti-racist curriculum, which amplifies BIPOC voices and offers programming in students' home languages, including ASL. With a focus on dismantling systemic barriers, we ensure no student is turned away due to financial constraints through sliding-scale tuition and financial aid.Our productions range from preschool storytelling to professional touring shows, all designed to reflect the unique sensibilities of youth. We collaborate with schools and community organizations to expand access to high-quality arts education across San Francisco. Our team of professional artists and educators brings decades of combined experience in theatre arts and youth development. We actively engage in community dialogue to address racial justice and social equity through the transformative power of theatre. As stewards of the Ramaytush Ohlone ancestral homeland, we honor Indigenous sovereignty while creating a welcoming space for all youth to explore their creativity.
Services
Youth Theatre Classes
Performance Ensembles
Internship Programs
School Partnerships
Bilingual Theatre Classes
Details
- Year established: 2014
Highlights and features
- We offer fully accessible programs for youth ages 4-24 regardless of financial means
- Our anti-racist curriculum amplifies BIPOC voices and cultural practices
- We provide professional-grade theatre training and performance opportunities
- Our staff includes experienced teaching artists with youth development expertise
- We offer programs in multiple languages including ASL and Spanish
What people say
Life-changing programs
Inclusive environment
Build confidence
Lasting friendships
Supportive community
Services
Youth Theatre Classes
We offer comprehensive theatre classes for youth aged 4-24 that develop acting, singing, dancing, and technical theatre skills. Our curriculum emphasizes creative expression, collaboration, and cultural representation. Classes are available at multiple skill levels and include both English and Spanish language options.
Performance Ensembles
Our performance ensembles provide professional-grade theatre experiences through original productions and adaptations. Participants work with professional artists to develop stagecraft skills and perform for public audiences. Productions address contemporary youth issues while maintaining artistic excellence.
Internship Programs
We offer hands-on internships in theatre production, stage management, and arts administration for teens and young adults. These paid opportunities provide career development and mentorship in professional theatre environments while building technical and leadership skills.
School Partnerships
Our school programs bring theatre arts education directly to classrooms through residencies and workshops. We collaborate with educators to develop curriculum-aligned programming that enhances learning through creative expression and cultural storytelling techniques.
Bilingual Theatre Classes
We provide Spanish-language and ASL-integrated theatre classes that celebrate cultural diversity. These programs ensure language accessibility while exploring multicultural narratives through performance, helping students build confidence and cross-cultural communication skills.
People
Emily Klion
Founder/Director
Emily Klion founded SFYT in 2014 to create inclusive theatre opportunities for youth. With decades of experience in youth arts education, she specializes in developing community-focused programs that combine artistic excellence with social justice principles.
Questions
What age groups do your programs serve?
We offer programs for youth aged 4-24, with classes and performance opportunities tailored to different developmental stages from preschool through college.
Are your classes accessible for low-income families?
Yes, we use a sliding-scale tuition model and offer financial aid to ensure all students can participate regardless of financial circumstances.
Do you offer bilingual programming?
We provide Spanish-language theatre classes and ASL-integrated programming to serve diverse communities and cultural needs.
How can my school partner with SFYT?
Contact us to discuss customized theatre residencies, workshops, or performance opportunities that align with your school's educational goals and community needs.
What performance opportunities are available?
We produce original works and adaptations featuring youth performers, with audition-based roles in both student-led and professional productions throughout the year.
Do you offer internships for teens?
Yes, our paid internship programs provide hands-on experience in theatre production, stage management, and arts administration for youth aged 14-24.
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