The
mission of
Midcoast Youth Theater (MYT) is to empower youth through a safe,
nurturing theater experience, to build life skills with teamwork,
creative problem solving, public speaking, risk taking and tolerance
while enhancing self awareness and self esteem.
MYT
shall remain a youth focused charitable organization. MYT is
different from other youth theater groups because "no child has ever
been turned away".
* MYT was established in May of 2003 to
offer youth in
the greater Brunswick community the opportunity to be part of an
inclusive
summer theater experience.
MYT
offers a
Teen show that runs in July, a Youth show that runs in August and a
Family show
that runs in December.
*
MYT accepts every child who wants
to participate,
unconditionally.
We
do not make cuts
from auditions. The MYT mission is unique in this area in that no child
is ever
turned away. The MYT board is committed to offering programs in a safe
and nurturing
environment.
* Our programming is designed to develop skills
such as
teamwork, creative problem solving, public performance and risk taking
while
enhancing confidence and self-awareness.
* MYT
served over 150 participants and technical crews in
our 2005/2006 performance season. In addition, more than 1,000
community
members attended the performances. Since our first season we have seen
an
annual growth in participation and in audience attendance and expect
this trend
to continue.
* MYT
are recipients of grants from the Stephen and
Tabitha King Foundation and the Davis Family Foundation.
* MYT
currently utilizes the services of local school theater directors and
music teachers, as well as the owner of Studio 48 Music Center.
This gives students
continuity from other
programs, as well as expertise in these positions.
We also utilize many trades on our Board of
Directors
such as, but not limited to, a CPA as the treasurer, a local contractor
who serves as the vice president and also as a set director and a legal
assistant with the DA’s office as our secretary.
*
Aside from
the obvious benefit to area children, one major
benefit to the community is that MYT provides assistance with costumes,
props, and theater lighting and sound equipment to area school
and
community groups toenhance
their programs and help reduce expenses at the same time. We charge no
fees for the use of our rather
extensive inventory. Both
St. John’s
Catholic and Woodside Elementary would have no theater lighting and
limited
sound equipment without our support. In the past year, we have
supported
multiple shows at the following venues: Brunswick H.S., Mt. Ararat H.S,
The
Orion Performing Arts Center, Woodside Elementary, St. John’s Catholic,
Mt. Ararat
Middle School, Center Stage Players at People Plus, the Harpswell
Island School
Parent Theater Company, as well as numerous students for various class
projects. We have loaned upwards of 1000+ costumes and 300+
pieces of
lighting or sound equipment. At a conservative average cost
of
$15 per
costume alone, we have saved the area groups $15,000.
Regarding
the use
of MYT lighting and sound equipment, with the least expensive pieces
costing in
excess of $150, we have saved other groups well in excess of $45,000 in
equipment expense.
