MainStage Plays

Our MainStage plays are fully stage productions of either original Backyard Youth Theatre plays or plays we purchase.  All young people who want to participate are welcome to join. The young actors will participate in auditions on the first day and each actor will be cast in a part. The play has a diverse range of roles with dialogue, singing and movement for all.  Costumes will be provided. The casting of the show is the decision of the facilitating Lead Artists who assume the roles of Artistic Director, Music Director, and the Production Manager. Each one will have a script and be expected to bring it to every rehearsal. Young actors don't need to be able to read comfortably or read at all to participate. Young actors will be expected to learn their lines and come prepared and rested for each rehearsal. We will provide all the support that actors need to reach their potential by participating in voice, movement, stagecraft and confidence building exercises. Our goal is to produce and perform an amazing show for audiences of all ages.

Creative Theatre Arts Workshops

Let Your Imagination Run Wild

This is a creative workshop and our goal is to have lots of fun while providing opportunities for the children to exercise their creative muscles and develop some acting skills. To develop skills they will participate in voice, movement, stagecraft, and confidence building exercises.  Along with this, they will have fun creating a show.  They each will have a character whom they will develop and become. Depending on their interests and level of ability, they might write dialogue, make scenery, create costumes, make the program, or make posters.  The children will work with a progressive script. It will change and grow as they add their own ideas. They may need to review the script work we do every day in the afternoon or evening at home. Please don’t worry if your child doesn’t completely memorize the written script.  Your young person doesn’t need to be able to read comfortably or read at all to participate. Youth are encouraged to participate based on their comfort level. 

Monologue Mania Workshops

Writing Workshops

BYT Residencies

Thompson Elementary School in Arlington MA

The Arlington Education Foundation has awarded a grant to Backyard Youth Theatre for a BYT school residency in the Thompson School, Arlington for 2024.  Kindergarteners will participate in four thirty-minute sessions of theater games. The theater games are designed to promote understanding of identity, focus, team building, and creativity. Second Graders will participate in a “Let Your Imagination Run Wild” workshop. This is a creative theatre arts workshop with the goal of generating lots of fun while providing opportunities for students to exercise their creative muscles and begin to develop acting skills. To develop these skills, students will participate in voice, movement, stagecraft, team, and confidence building exercises.  Along with this, they will create a show and have the experience of developing, naming, and becoming a character. Second Graders will perform their play for the kindergarten classes. Each second grader receives a handmade pair of wings to take home and fly.

Cornerstone Village Cohousing in Cambridge MA

Backyards Around the World

BYT works with backyards around the world...through virtual workshops and cross cultural exchange programs, BYT connects youth and their communities to each other.

*Emperor's New Clothes is Pioneer Drama Play