About
Berkeley Playhouse YouthStage offers fully produced musicals for students in grades 5–12, with students playing all the roles. The program includes KidStage youth productions for grades 5–8, TeenStage youth productions for grades 8–12, and combined YouthStage productions for grades 5–12 in the summer. Young actors are admitted to the program by audition, and once admitted as company members, they do not have to audition for future productions as long as they remain in good standing, though auditions for specific roles are called “try-ons.”
• Ages: 10–18 years old
• Schedule: Musical Theatre Revue meets for 10 weeks; Showcase Cabarets run in one-week-long sessions
YouthStage productions are directed and designed by local theater professionals, and students train with professional directors, musicians, vocal coaches, and choreographers. Stagecraft classes let students explore behind-the-scenes elements with hands-on experience in lighting, costuming, scenic work, sound, props, make-up, and stage management, including projects for current productions, and Stagecraft students are the first to be offered volunteer positions on production teams for future shows. Musical Theatre Revue focuses on students creating, writing, choreographing, designing, and rehearsing their own production, and it culminates in a performance on the Julia Morgan stage. Showcase Cabarets are one-week sessions that focus on solo and small group repertoire, where students select a song of their choice to develop for a cabaret-style show on the Julia Morgan stage, and these cabarets are described as a great opportunity for young actors to obtain footage for their reel. YouthStage productions present a polished final show to family and friends on the Julia Morgan stage, with professionally designed lights, sound, sets, costumes, and more.
Berkeley Playhouse states that it believes all youth deserve the opportunity to engage in and thrive through the arts and is committed to ensuring access to its education programs for low-income students, especially from underserved and underrepresented communities, by providing financial assistance for theater education tuitions, with financial aid applications available upon registration. The leadership team includes Kimberly Dooley (Artistic Director), Melissa Rivera Simpson (Producing Director), Dana Swint (Director of Development & Community Outreach), Lily Olson (Director of Patron Services), Anna Hecht (Director of Marketing), Megan McGrath (Youth Productions Manager), Jesus Pedroza-Moreno (Classes & Camps Manager), Michael Patrick Wiles (Casting Director and Resident Music Director), Cameron Pence (Production Manager), Hazel Horton (Office Manager), Thomas Campitelli (Facilities Manager), Tara Vargo (Finance Manager), and others in similar roles. Community members describe Berkeley Playhouse as a quaint playhouse with a sense of community, mention value seating that made live theater affordable for a senior on a fixed income, and note efforts to make productions accessible to the Blind and Low Vision community. Parents and audience members also report regularly enjoying the musicals, sometimes driving an hour to attend, and describe the theater as a bright spot in their community.
Last updated February 18, 2026.
• Ages: 10–18 years old
• Schedule: Musical Theatre Revue meets for 10 weeks; Showcase Cabarets run in one-week-long sessions
YouthStage productions are directed and designed by local theater professionals, and students train with professional directors, musicians, vocal coaches, and choreographers. Stagecraft classes let students explore behind-the-scenes elements with hands-on experience in lighting, costuming, scenic work, sound, props, make-up, and stage management, including projects for current productions, and Stagecraft students are the first to be offered volunteer positions on production teams for future shows. Musical Theatre Revue focuses on students creating, writing, choreographing, designing, and rehearsing their own production, and it culminates in a performance on the Julia Morgan stage. Showcase Cabarets are one-week sessions that focus on solo and small group repertoire, where students select a song of their choice to develop for a cabaret-style show on the Julia Morgan stage, and these cabarets are described as a great opportunity for young actors to obtain footage for their reel. YouthStage productions present a polished final show to family and friends on the Julia Morgan stage, with professionally designed lights, sound, sets, costumes, and more.
Berkeley Playhouse states that it believes all youth deserve the opportunity to engage in and thrive through the arts and is committed to ensuring access to its education programs for low-income students, especially from underserved and underrepresented communities, by providing financial assistance for theater education tuitions, with financial aid applications available upon registration. The leadership team includes Kimberly Dooley (Artistic Director), Melissa Rivera Simpson (Producing Director), Dana Swint (Director of Development & Community Outreach), Lily Olson (Director of Patron Services), Anna Hecht (Director of Marketing), Megan McGrath (Youth Productions Manager), Jesus Pedroza-Moreno (Classes & Camps Manager), Michael Patrick Wiles (Casting Director and Resident Music Director), Cameron Pence (Production Manager), Hazel Horton (Office Manager), Thomas Campitelli (Facilities Manager), Tara Vargo (Finance Manager), and others in similar roles. Community members describe Berkeley Playhouse as a quaint playhouse with a sense of community, mention value seating that made live theater affordable for a senior on a fixed income, and note efforts to make productions accessible to the Blind and Low Vision community. Parents and audience members also report regularly enjoying the musicals, sometimes driving an hour to attend, and describe the theater as a bright spot in their community.
Last updated February 18, 2026.
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