Youth Academy of Dramatic Arts (YADA)
Youth Academy of Dramatic Arts (YADA), 8115 West Third Street, Los Angeles, CA 90048
About
Youth Academy of Dramatic Arts (YADA) offers activities such as Summer Camp, Parent’s Night Out, Fun Fridays & Super Saturdays, YADA ROCKS IN A DAY, YADA Minis, and Birthday Parties. The program also provides Beginner Acting Classes, Kids Acting Classes, childrens theater and kids theater productions, an APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM, COMPANY for ages 13–17, AUDITIONS: Junior Master & Master, and private coaching in voice, acting, and dance. Students can take part in improvisation options including Improv Class, IMPROV CLASS COMEDY FOR KIDS!, and IMROV PARTY, and each session culminates in a performance.
• Ages: 0–17 years old
• Schedule: School-year class and program options seven days a week, with additional summer programs Monday–Friday during the day
For over 29 years, YADA (Youth Academy of Dramatic Arts) has provided comprehensive theatrical training to young performers in Los Angeles. The program’s mission is to offer theatrical training for the young people of Los Angeles, impart a professional theatrical discipline, and offer a safe and nurturing environment in which to grow. According to its mission statement, YADA guides children in building self-esteem, self-confidence, and self-awareness, and encourages students to find their own voice and freely express themselves. YADA created YADAVISION, an online platform that allowed students to connect, rehearse, and experience theatre from home during the pandemic.
YADA states that it offers a safe, exciting, and supportive space where students can learn, grow, and express themselves through theatre, with classes structured by age and ability from MINIS and TOTS through Master and Company. The program offers improvisation classes to foster creativity, boost confidence, and ease anxiety, and it offers private coaching in voice, acting, and dance. YADA describes itself as a place where students, families, and staff of all backgrounds and identities can come together as their full, authentic selves, and it is committed to fostering an inclusive, welcoming, and empowering environment for all. The program is co-owned by Kim Harrigan and Lani Shipman.
Parent and student testimonials describe YADA as a special part of many children’s childhoods, with multiple families saying their children “LOVE YADA” and look forward to attending each week. Parents report that their children have enjoyed shows such as High School Musical, Singin’ in the Rain, Beauty and the Beast, and MATILDA, and several note that their children are eager to return for more classes, camps, and seasons. Families mention specific teachers and directors by name, describe the productions as incredible, and share that their children have made friends, felt seen and heard, and, in some cases, want to “go to YADA forever” or are “a YADA or nothing kind of” kid. Co-owners and staff are frequently thanked in the testimonials for their time, energy, and care, and several parents say their children are thriving and extremely happy in the program.
Last updated June 16, 2026.
• Ages: 0–17 years old
• Schedule: School-year class and program options seven days a week, with additional summer programs Monday–Friday during the day
For over 29 years, YADA (Youth Academy of Dramatic Arts) has provided comprehensive theatrical training to young performers in Los Angeles. The program’s mission is to offer theatrical training for the young people of Los Angeles, impart a professional theatrical discipline, and offer a safe and nurturing environment in which to grow. According to its mission statement, YADA guides children in building self-esteem, self-confidence, and self-awareness, and encourages students to find their own voice and freely express themselves. YADA created YADAVISION, an online platform that allowed students to connect, rehearse, and experience theatre from home during the pandemic.
YADA states that it offers a safe, exciting, and supportive space where students can learn, grow, and express themselves through theatre, with classes structured by age and ability from MINIS and TOTS through Master and Company. The program offers improvisation classes to foster creativity, boost confidence, and ease anxiety, and it offers private coaching in voice, acting, and dance. YADA describes itself as a place where students, families, and staff of all backgrounds and identities can come together as their full, authentic selves, and it is committed to fostering an inclusive, welcoming, and empowering environment for all. The program is co-owned by Kim Harrigan and Lani Shipman.
Parent and student testimonials describe YADA as a special part of many children’s childhoods, with multiple families saying their children “LOVE YADA” and look forward to attending each week. Parents report that their children have enjoyed shows such as High School Musical, Singin’ in the Rain, Beauty and the Beast, and MATILDA, and several note that their children are eager to return for more classes, camps, and seasons. Families mention specific teachers and directors by name, describe the productions as incredible, and share that their children have made friends, felt seen and heard, and, in some cases, want to “go to YADA forever” or are “a YADA or nothing kind of” kid. Co-owners and staff are frequently thanked in the testimonials for their time, energy, and care, and several parents say their children are thriving and extremely happy in the program.
Last updated June 16, 2026.
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