Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit
P.O. Box 09667DetroitMI48209
313-554-1422313-554-0306

Program: Youth Ensemble Year Started: 1992 Focus: Theater Youth Served: 75 Ages: 12-19 Budget: $110,000 Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit is a nationally acclaimed multicultural youth theater that develops young theater artists through training and performing. The program is divided into three specific areas. The Acting Company focuses on training the voice, body and imagination and on scriptwriting. The Technical Crew works on set design and construction, lighting design and operation and props management and costumes. The Music Group includes singers, songwriters and sound engineers, who write and perform all of the music for Mosaic productions. The 11-month program engages youth 10 hours a week in the evenings and on weekends and includes guest artist visits. Sundays are reserved for tutoring to help participants maintain the grade point average required to stay in the program. Each year, the Youth Ensemble tours Detroit-area schools with either an original play or an innovative version of a classic. Study guides and handbooks for teachers are developed for each performance. Mosaic's Youth Ensemble also performs at community centers, hospitals, nursing homes and special events. To further showcase the teens and the Ensemble-created production, Mosaic's Ensemble members participate in a 3-week tour of professional theaters. "Kids from different backgrounds and ages are put in a demanding atmosphere in which they learn how to respect each other. While working toward a shared goal, each member maintains his or her individuality and unique cultural identity," says Managing Director Annette Madias. A new component of the program, a 1-week residency at a college campus, is familiarizing youth with college life. Madias reports that several of the teens are winning performing arts scholarships to attend college.