WELCOME TO Young Artist Studio!
A ten-month intensive training program providing experienced MENTORSHIP, advanced TRAINING, and growth OPPORTUNITIES for young artists in grades 7-12 who are considering a career in theatre performance or production.

A comPREHENSIVE program for highly motivated students!
The 2023/24 Young Artist Studio will include the following elements:
A personal MENTOR, matched to the student based on interests, who will meet with them three times a year to discuss goals and formulate plans to achieve those goals.
ADVANCED CLASSES on Saturdays, curated to the needs and goals of the students in the Studio.
MASTERCLASSES with industry professionals who can help students better understand theatre, as a profession. The 23/24 Masterclass schedule presented throughout the year will include 3-6 Masterclasses on various topics ranging and presented by professional theatre artists, currently working in the field. Previous Masterclasses included: Acting for the Camera, Partner Dancing, Performing Shakespeare, and Choreography and Voice with the casts of the Broadway Tours of Six and Come From Away.
One FIELD TRIP to Chicago to participate in Masterclasses and a show AND At least one Field Trip to a College/University Theatre Program and/or a Professional Theatre Company.
PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES include a winter Cabaret, rehearsed and performed on Civic’s Meijer Majestic Stage and an opportunity to perform in Civic’s 23/24 Theatre for Young Audiences production.
LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES for students interested in internships, teaching assistant positions, production positions, and other leadership roles at Civic Theatre.
ADDITIONAL CLASSES in the School of Theatre Arts! Every Studio member is entitled to one free class (or two free dance classes) in the School of Theatre Arts during the Fall and Winter terms.
OTHER PERKS for Studio members include: Studio Nights at GRCT Mainstage shows, Senior Resources, Use of Civic Spaces (at designated times), Professional Headshots, Access to Music and Script Library, Access to Civic professional staff for questions and guidance and Studio Swag.
APPLYING FOR THE PROGRAM
Auditions and Interviews for the 2023/24 Young Artist Studio will be Saturday, June 10 from 10am-11am for returning YAS students and 11:30am-2:15pm for new YAS students. Interested students will need to fill out the application form and sign up for an audition/interview slot via Sign Up Genius here.

The 2023-24 Young Artist Studio will be comprised of up to 14 highly motivated, passionate, and dedicated students.
TUITION
Tuition for the 2023/24 program is $4000 for the entire ten month program. Monthly payments of $400 (spread across 10 months) will be accepted. Tuition covers: Mentorship meetings, Saturday classes and Studio time, all Masterclasses, Field Trip transportation and all classes, all production participation, internship/leadership participation, 1-2 additional classes in the Fall & Winter School of Theatre Arts terms and tickets to Touring Broadway shows and any productions on the Chicago Field Trip. A limited number of need based scholarships are available and applications can be requested upon acceptance into the program. Scholarship Applications are due by June 30th. There will be a MANDATORY ORIENTATION for parents and students on Thursday, August 10th from 5-8pm.
Need based scholarship is available by application during the audition/interview process, and will NOT impact your acceptance into the program.
2022/23 Young Artists

Miro Alan Alagoz

Makenzie Allen

Ellie Brower

Peter Bryant

Makayla DePriest

Jayce Dykstra

Micah Hamstra

Salma Lefrid

Maggie Martin

Evangeline Ouding

Isabelle Seiler

Anne Slezak

Avril Taber
















2022/23 Young Artist Studio Mentors

Worth Hages
Worth's Bio
Worth Hages, originally from Tallahassee Florida, has been working for the past twenty years as a director, choreographer and teaching artist in New York City and now here in Grand Rapids, Michigan. At Grand Rapids Civic Theatre Worth directed Dragons Love Tacos, Legally Blonde Jr, choreographed Frozen Jr., Hairspray Jr., and Schoolhouse Rocks for the Traveling Troupe. Worth has been a teaching artist for The School of Theatre for the past five years and has taught many musical theatre classes as well as directed and choreographed Performance Block productions. In New York City, Worth was a teaching artist with acclaimed education theatre programs including TADA Youth Theatre, City Lights Youth Theatre, Inside Broadway, and Wingspan Arts. As a professional actress, Worth originated the role of Amber Von Tussle in the first Broadway national tour of Hairspray under the direction of Jack O’Brien. Regionally Worth has performed at The Kennedy Center, The 5th Avenue Theatre, TUTS, Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, Gateway Playhouse, and was a soloist with The Boston Pops Orchestra at Symphony Hall. Education: Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre from The Boston Conservatory; London Academy of Dramatic Arts.

Marcus Jordan
Marcus' Bio
Marcus Jordan is a Grand Rapids native who recently returned home after spending six years in NYC performing and teaching professionally. Some of his favorite credits to date include Coalhouse Walker Jr. Ragtime, the Musical, Newt Lee Parade, and Jim Porgy and Bess. Marcus attended Western Michigan University and Westminster Choir College respectively earning advance degrees in voice performance and vocal pedagogy. Marcus’ heart sings its best song when he is teaching and engaged in communal art making.

Mikey Winslow
Mikey's Bio
Mikey Winslow grew up dancing, singing, and acting in and around Grand Rapids, MI. He got involved with the Grand Rapids Civic Theater as well as the GR Circle Theater and found a true home. Upon completion of an undergraduate theater program at Western Michigan University, Mikey moved to NYC where he’s been performing on Broadway ever since. His credits include: West Side Story, American Idiot, Wicked (Nat’l Tour), On The Town, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and most recently Hamilton: An American Musical. He’s worked as an ensemble member, dance captain, swing, understudy, and principle and has had the opportunity to work with many of his mentors including Wayne Cilento and Andy Blankenbueler. He has dealt with injury + recovery having his hip being fully replaced at the age of 31 (before joining Hamilton!) and can speak passionately about the true potential we each have inside of us. Mikey completed an MA in Educational Technology from WMU in 2022. He is a proponent for inclusion in the theater and is very excited for the opportunity to work with the next generation of theatrical humans!

Michael Empson
Michael's Bio
Michael is an actor, teaching artist, and director based in Grand Rapids. He’s been fortunate to perform, coach, teach, and direct across the country and internationally. Michael is a member of the Great Lakes Michael Chekhov Consortium, the Michael Chekhov Association, and the Society of American Fight Directors. Michael was last seen on Civic’s stage in Shakespeare in Love and is currently one of the mentors for Civic’s Young Artist Studio.

Carrie McNulty
Carrie's Bio
Carrie is an adjunct faculty member at both GRCC and Aquinas College. Local directing credits include productions at Actors’ Theatre, Circle Theatre, Aquinas College, and Grand Rapids Community College. As a member of Actors’ Equity, Carrie has performed professionally all over the country. She holds an MFA in Acting from Penn State University. As always, Carrie is thrilled to be working with the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre!

Melissa Mondry-Sefton
Melissa's Bio
Melissa is passionate about sharing her love of movement with other artists and feels blessed to be a part of the dance faculty at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre. Since receiving her BA in dance from Grand Valley State University, Melissa has taught at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, Grand Rapids Christian High School and several elementary schools and studios across West Michigan. As a part of the faculty at Civic Theatre, she has taught ballet, jazz and tap technique as well as choreographed for SRTI and main stage productions. She is Co-Director of Grand Rapids Dance Project, a founding member/dancer at Dance In The Annex and an instructor and choreographer at Body Language Dance Company in Jenison. While continuing to further her own dance studies, Melissa regularly attends dance conventions and master classes throughout Michigan, Chicago, and New York. Melissa’s favorite thing about Civic Theatre is the community of artists that come together, sharing a love of art, humanity and creative growth. She currently resides in GR with her husband Jesse, daughters Isabella and Colette and their adorable puppy, Shinobi.

Caitlin Hart
Caitlin's Bio
Caitlin Hart (she/hers) holds a B.A in Theatre Arts from Aquinas College and completed the Atlantic Theater Company’s Professional Acting Conservatory in NYC. Favorite directing credits include: Romeo and Juliet (Broadway World 2018 Best Play Nominee), Macbeth (Broadway World 2017 Best Play Nominee), Maria Irene Fornes’ What of the Night? (West Coast Premiere; Best Acting Ensemble Ovation Nominee), Tommy Smith’s White Hot (LA Premiere; Hollywood Fringe Best in Ensemble Theatre Winner). Additionally, she has produced and directed many professional productions, new play development workshops, staged readings, short plays, etc. This past fall she made her GRCT MainStage directing debut with Lauren Gunderson’s THE REVOLUTIONISTS. She is also an Intimacy Choreographer and Casting Director. More information about her work is available at caitlinhartdirector.com.
For more information please contact Deb Wright at studio@grct.org