YES Company

Former Participant Gives Back to the Program

Justin Su’esu’e remembers when he first joined the Youth Entertainment Stage (YES) Company 12 years ago. He was in the ensemble in the 1998 production of West Side Story. A few years later in, 2001, he played the role of Mayor Shinn in The Music Man. Justin has come full circle, and this summer he landed the role as Musical Director in YES Company’s 2010 rendition of The Music Man. “YES Company gave me so much as a child growing up and it still does,” said Su’esu’e. “Because of YES Company I developed life-long friendships and improved my self-confidence. I credit the program and Director Melanee Wyatt with making me the person I am today.Coming back now is my way of returning all that was given to me. And depending where I am in the future, I want to continue to come back every year to help in some way!”

After graduating from high school, Justin attended Modesto Junior College where he was able to sing, dance, choreograph and direct numerous MJC productions utilizing the skills he learned during summers with YES Company. Currently he is a Vocal Performance Major and Musical Theater Minor at San Jose State University. He also sings professionally with Opera San Jose. “I plan to get my Bachelor’s degree and then transfer to the east coast for my Masters,” he said. 

“My ultimate goal is to hit the big stage perform as long as I can! I would also like to eventually open a voice studio." When YES Company was originally conceived, thought of turning young students into professional actors was not an ultimate goal,” Wyatt. “However, by providing participants safe, nurturing and professional quality environment in which to train, there are a few who to make the theatre their occupation. Justin of those students, and it is gratifying to watch him grow.”

UPCOMING PERFORMANCES
YES Company Presents:  The Music Man,
July 23 - August 1, 2010, Gallo Center for the Arts
Tickets are available at the Gallo box office, or online
at: GalloArts.org

In addition to the summer production, YES Company also offers several performing arts activities throughout the school year, including:

      YES KIDS – this performance program is designed for elementary-aged students; 

YES GRADS – YES Company alumnae serve as fundraising performers and
       mentors;

YES Storytellers – YES participants reach out to pre-school and elementary
      school students, encouraging literacy and cross-age mentoring;

Project ALIVE (Arts Leading Into Vital Education) – YES participants use visual
     and performing arts to provide tobacco education and awareness

YES Ambassadors – YES speakers and performers attend state and local
      functions/conferences;

YES Company Realities – through the performing arts, YES participants
      encourage education and awareness of teen issues; and,

YES Mentors – YES alumnae mentor/train YES KIDS and other youth in
      performance activities.

The positive influences of YES Company can be seen in a recent survey of current members and alumni:

53.4% recognized an improvement in their grades;
69.0% said they became more involved in school activities;
94.8% noted improvement in their communication skills;
63.8% noted improvement in communication with parents; 
51.7% said they changed their attitudes toward drug, alcohol and tobacco use;
79.3% reported feeling confident when interviewing for a job; and,
93.1% plan to attend college.