By Dan Murphy
Youth Theatre Interactions is celebrating 45 years of service to Yonkers and Westchester, and a tradition of teaching young adults performing art skills, by holding a fundraising gala Thursday, April 18 at the Roosevelt Ballroom in Yonkers.
YTI is one of the oldest non-profit organizations of its kind, and it has been in existence for 45 years because of the success it provides to children and their families, not only in learning about drama and dance but in teaching life lessons along the way.
“I have watched over the past 45 years as students developed clear focus, artistic and academic discipline, and discovered innate talents they did not know they had,” said Kwame Johnson, co-founder of YTI and teacher for advanced drama. “Through the joy of studying and developing skills in the preforming arts, I am proud that YTI remains a place where students actively think about the world around them and give creative expression to what they see and feel.”
In keeping with the gala’s theme, “45 Years Strong,” YTI alumni from across the county will be in attendance along with music and dramatic performances by the organization’s current students. Broadway singer/dancer and former YTI Executive Director Mamie Duncan-Gibbs will host the festivities, while YTI Founding Fathers Kwame Johnson and Turhan Von Brandon and members of the James P. Hill family will be honored for their lifelong commitment to the organization.
A silent auction featuring items including everything from jewelry to artwork will round out the entertainment.
Youth Theatre Interactions began as an after-school Yonkers Community Action Program intended to keep young people off the streets and safe from crime and drugs. It has grown to become an organization where thousands of students have enjoyed courses in dance, drama, voice and music. In the process, they learn skillsets that require creativity, practice, focus and teamwork – prerequisites for a great performance and essential for becoming positive contributors to the workplace and community.
“Youth Theatre Interactions is proud of its 45-year history,” said Genia Flammia, YTI board president. “We remain a safe haven for youngsters to learn and express themselves. But to accomplish our goals, we must be financially sound… This year has been a challenge. Our $45,000 goal will help us offer scholarships to students from low-income families, and maintain studio space, instruments and equipment. With your help, we are confident we can achieve that objective. After all, we are YTI and we are ‘45 years strong!’”
In 1971, the Yonkers Community Action Program was asked to develop an after-school program that would help keep kids away from drugs and crime. James P. Hill, an employee of YCAP and a professional musician, developed the School 12 Program, which began as a music workshop. Shortly after, Mr. Hill met Paul Kwame Johnson, then a theater major at Sarah Lawrence College.
Johnson added his expertise to establish a new drama workshop to the program. In 1973, Hill and Johnson, along with co-founder Turhan Von Brandon, sought non-profit status for their program and renamed it Youth Theatre Interactions, Inc., a performing arts school providing instruction free of charge to the youth of Yonkers.
As interest and funding grew, the program was expanded to include dance workshops, photography, training in lighting design, sound and stage management. Today, YTI provides instruction in drama, digital production, voice, music, and six different forms of dance. YTI serves more than 100 students each semester, and nearly 5,000 students in its history, with the services provided for a modest fee to youth from all over Westchester County.
Over the past 40 years, YTI has provided the Yonkers and Westchester communities with 55 highly qualified professional performing artists/teachers in the areas of theatre, dance, music and photography. YTI has provided more than 15,000 classes, 1,400 performances and 70 college scholarships, and has served well over 6,000 students.
“When an after-school music workshop that eventually became YTI was created at School 12 in Yonkers, I was only in ninth grade,” said YTI alum Curtin Newton. “It became a safe place for me to come and learn, make friendships, and realize I had the potential to attend college and succeed in whatever I chose to do. The founders were father figures for me and remain among the greatest influences in my life.”
YTI’s most notable performances and honors include: appearing seven times at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts; appearing on WNBC, PBS and WCBS television in New York City and WGPR in Detroit; and receiving the keys to the City of Detroit and a high commendation for the City of Los Angeles for tours in those cities.
YTI’s teachers and board members have taken pride in watching their students move on to the finest school theater programs, and working professionally on stage, television and screen.
YTI provides a range of structured dance, theatre and music classes for young people in the culturally diverse population of Yonkers. Classes are conducted in a supportive environment and taught by experienced instructors.
Students are accepted from age 6 to 19, and all students must have the support of their families to study with YTI and must be serious about their desire to develop skills in the performing arts. At YTI, students are promoted to the next level when the instructor feels that the student has evidenced significant growth. Improvement is measured by ability to understand and execute technique, attitude and motivation, and – of course – attendance.
“I love acting, and YTI has allowed me to express this passion freely,” said Vanessa Gentile, a YTI 13-year old advanced drama student. “Not only am I better at acting, but I am more outgoing and able to be myself. If I never went to YTI, I may have never been able to do things that I’m doing now. YTI has now become a part of my life, and has built the foundation to my future as an actress.”
Youth Theatre Interactions operates three terms – fall, winter and summer – every year. After-school classes during the school year run from 4:30 to 8 p.m. The summer term is an intensive six-week offering consisting of three distinct programs created to respond to the needs of students of various ages with diverse artistic interests. Students age 6 to 11 take part in a performing arts camp between the hours of 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. while students age 12 to 19 take part in either a theatre- or dance-focused program between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.
YTI employs an international faculty of performing artists from the United States, the Caribbean and Africa.
In order to continue serving thousands of students in Yonkers and Westchester, YTI needs the public’s help and contributions.
Tickets for the fundraising gala are $75 each. For additional information, visit www.ytiYonkers.org or call 914-963-3040.
