Youth Performance Company Classes & Camps

Youth Performance Company Classes & Camps offers week-long, full and half-day theatre classes and camps where participants take part in acting, singing, dancing, improv, and stage combat. Young artists also participate in creating performances by writing, directing, building sets, and designing costumes.

• Ages: 5–18 years old
• Schedule: Summer Classes & Camps run Monday through Friday, June 15 – September 4, 2026; approximate length of show is one hour and twenty minutes.

Youth Performance Company was founded in 1989 by retired Artistic Director Jacie Knight and notes 37 Years of Excellence and Magic. Its mission states that Youth Performance Company empowers youth and inspires social change through bold theatre, and develops and empowers young actors, singers and dancers to reach their artistic potential and become community leaders. Kids from kindergarten through high school enroll in Youth Performance Company’s classes, and each year the organization serves Twin Cities youth through a wide range of classes, camps, performances, and leadership training. Young artists participate in all aspects of creating cutting-edge performances, and families from across the Twin Cities attend mainstage shows produced each season.

Youth Performance Company has received recognition including the 2012 MN Council for Nonprofits Mission Award, multiple CINE Golden Eagle Awards, a 2009 Ivey Award for “Little Rock, 1957,” a 2006 Ivey Award for “The Talk: An Intercourse on Coming of Age,” and several additional awards for educational and instructional DVDs such as “The Talk: An Intercourse on Coming of Age,” “The BoyShow,” and “Goddess Menses & the Menstrual Show.” This activity is supported by a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support grant, funded through a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund. All seating at performances is general admission, groups are seated first come, first served, wheelchair seating is available, and the start time of a production can be changed for a group purchasing a full house of 207 seats.

Last updated February 23, 2026.