ABOUT US

FOUNDERS STATEMENT

There’s something incredibly special about live theater. It gives kids a place to belong, a place to grow, and a place to discover parts of themselves they may not have known were there. For me, creating this theater has been a dream years in the making, born from my own love of performing, my experience as a mom, and my passion for building meaningful spaces for young people to thrive.

The Young Actors Theater Academy was created with one simple belief at its core: every child deserves a safe, encouraging environment where creativity is celebrated, confidence is built, and excellence is expected. We want our students to feel free to explore who they are while learning the discipline, teamwork, and dedication that great theater requires. Those two things, support and high standards, can absolutely exist together, and we believe that’s where the magic happens.

We proudly serve children, teens and families of all experience levels, offering opportunities for young performers from early elementary ages through high school and beyond. Whether a child is stepping onto a stage for the very first time or already dreaming of a future in the performing arts, we want them to feel seen, challenged, inspired, and valued here. Some of the most meaningful moments in theater happen across generations, and we want this to be a place where entire families can share the stage, support one another, and become part of something bigger than themselves.

Our productions will range from beloved family musicals and Broadway favorites to innovative youth productions, plays, conservatory-style training opportunities, and community-centered performances that bring people together. More than putting on shows, we are building a creative home, one where friendships are formed, confidence is discovered, and memories are made that last a lifetime.

This theater is deeply personal to me. As an avid theater enthusiast, performer, and mother, I know firsthand the impact the arts can have on a child’s life. Theater teaches resilience, empathy, courage, communication, and self-expression in ways few other things can. My hope is that every person who walks through our doors feels the heart behind what we are building here.

Welcome to our theater family. We cannot wait to create something extraordinary together.

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FACILITY SUMMARY

This theater has been thoughtfully designed to be so much more than just a performance venue, it hopes to become a creative home for students, families, performers, and artists of all ages. Every part of the facility has been intentionally planned with the goal of building an environment where education, collaboration, imagination, and storytelling can thrive together.

Once construction is complete, the facility will feature a Mainstage Theater, Black Box Theater, three dedicated Practice Rooms, a fully equipped Scene Shop, and two theater-specific Dressing Rooms designed to give students and performers an authentic theatrical experience both onstage and behind the scenes.

The Mainstage Theater is designed to serve as the heart of the facility. It is a space where full-scale musicals, plays, concerts, showcases, and community performances will come to life. Alongside it, the Black Box Theater will offer a completely different theatrical experience while maintaining the same level of artistry, storytelling, and production quality. Designed as a more intimate and flexible performance venue, the Black Box creates a unique connection between performers and audiences, allowing productions to feel immersive, personal, and creatively dynamic. From powerful plays and musicals to innovative staging concepts, cabarets, workshops, and community productions, these spaces are designed to celebrate the versatility and magic of live theater in a way that feels immediate, engaging, and unforgettable.

The three Practice Rooms will serve as the educational foundation of the facility, functioning as classrooms and rehearsal studios for both daytime and after-school programming. These spaces are designed to support a wide range of educational opportunities where students can learn, rehearse, collaborate, and grow creatively in an encouraging and inspiring environment.

Educational programming will include specialty training in Acting, Musical Theater, Dance, Voice, Technical Theater, Directing, Set Design, and Stage Management. Whether students are stepping into theater for the first time or pursuing advanced training and performance opportunities, the vision for this program is rooted in both creativity and excellence — giving young artists a place where they feel supported, challenged, and proud of the work they create.

Most importantly, this theater is being built with community at its center. The vision is to create a welcoming space where students feel safe to explore their talents, where families can make lasting memories together, and where performers and artists of all ages can come together to create something truly meaningful. Even before construction is complete, this space already represents possibility, connection, and the beginning of something very special.

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FACULTY AND ADMIN INTRODUCTIONS:

Caydi Zerega

As the Founder and Owner of Young Actors Theater Academy, Caydi Zerega is passionate about creating a space where young performers can grow in confidence, artistry, and creativity through high-quality theatrical training and performance opportunities. With a deep love for all things theater, she brings heart, vision, and dedication to every aspect of the academy.

In the classroom, her work is especially rooted in music direction and productions that showcase strong vocal performance, storytelling, and complex musicality. She is passionate about helping young actors develop not only as performers, but as confident artists with strong technical foundations. In addition to directing productions and musical coaching, she offers private vocal instruction and teaches voice-focused classes designed to inspire and challenge students at every level.

Above all, her love for family and the arts fuels her commitment to building a supportive, inspiring theater community where every student feels seen, encouraged, and empowered to shine both on and off the stage.