The Young Artists Ensemble started in 1981 as a small group performing on a shoestring budget in the back room of a local park. Since then, the program has grown and continued to expand for some premier youth and family theatre shows in the area.

Currently, the Hillcrest Center for the Arts as the Young Artists Ensemble produces an annual Family Theatre Season (3 shows including YAE Team Up), a Hillcrest Players fall and spring show, and an annual Teen Drama and Teen Summer Musical.

Casting is done by competitive audition processes. Our audiences (and sometimes even our staff members) are constantly amazed at the production quality of our shows. The YAE has truly made its mark in the Conejo Valley by instilling a seed of love for the arts in the youth of our community that continues to grow and blossom throughout their lives. Yearly we provide opportunities for hundreds of  kids between the ages of 10 and 18 for family theatre, kids ages 7-14 for Hillcrest Players, and teens ages 13-19 in the Teen Drama and Teen Summer Musical to perform in musicals and plays. Our audiences include local families and theatre supporters adding up to thousands of theatre-goers annually.

Staff and Volunteers - The company is led by supporting staff from the Hillcrest Center for the Arts and an amazing production team which changes every show that can includes a Director, Assistant Director, Music Director, Orchestra Director, Set and Lighting Designers, Costumers, and Stage Managers. Since 2022, the tech crew is almost 100% teen volunteers from the community. Our teen summer orchestra is done by audition and are also volunteer positions.  More than 100 volunteers help in raising funds and implementing the program annually.

The Young Artists Ensemble is a phenomenal educational theatre program. If you are wondering how you can make your voice heard in support of fantastic youth programs like this one, consider becoming a donor. For more information about becoming a donor click here.