Young People's Theater

A Sheridan Arts Foundation

Since 1999, the historic Sheridan Opera House has been home to the Sheridan Arts Foundation’s Young People’s Theater (SAFYPT), a diverse and flourishing center for young thespians that enrolls more than 250 children between the ages of 2 and 18 each year.

With an emphasis on child-centered learning that caters to individuals’ needs, our curriculum ensures an educational process that nurtures both cognitive and creative growth. SAFYPT upholds the philosophy that dramatic learning experiences should be non-competitive, and we do not require auditions. Young people at varying levels of ability and experience are invited to embark upon extraordinary journeys of wonder, discovery and imaginative delight.

UP NEXT!

SAF’s Not-So-Young People’s Theater

production of

Shrek The Musical

October 8-11

Directed by Leah Heidenreich

Thursday, Friday, Saturday 6pm

Thursday is local’s night!

Sunday 2pm

Tickets are on sale now! 

Based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation film, Shrek The Musical is a Tony Award-winning fairy tale adventure, featuring all new songs from Jeanine Tesori (Thoroughly Modern Millie; Caroline, or Change) and a sidesplitting book by David Lindsay-Abaire. Shrek brings all the beloved characters you know from the film to life on stage and proves there’s more to the story than meets the ears.

“Once upon a time, there was a little ogre named Shrek….” And thus begins the tale of an unlikely hero who finds himself on a life-changing journey alongside a wisecracking Donkey and a feisty princess who resists her rescue. Throw in a short-tempered bad guy, a cookie with an attitude and over a dozen other fairy tale misfits, and you’ve got the kind of mess that calls for a real hero. Luckily, there’s one on hand… and his name is Shrek.

The cast features: Elijah Aumiller, Katrina Aumiller, Jennifer Birrittella, Eric Borchers, Rachel Brand (as Fiona), Dylan Brooks (as Lord Farquaad), Theo Brooks, Jack Caruso, Kevin Douglas (as Shrek), Arthur Forsythe, Elizabeth Guest, Simon Guest, Karen Gugliomone, Ryan Heidenreich, Elizabeth Hinkley, Tagen Kaestner, Meghan Knowles, Bryce Laney, Jennifer Laney, Andrew Murphy, Megan Murphy, Niko Pantovich-Gonzalez (as Donkey), Yana Pollard, Lily Reed, Stella Reed, Susa Smith, Pepper Tyson, and James Van Hooser.

Special thank you to The Enchanted Forest Toy Shoppe, our Season Spotlight Sponsor!

 

YPT FAST FACTS

Enrollment
YPT is a non-competitive, first-come, first-serve after school program. We are not audition based. Every child who wants to participate in YPT can!

Deposit & Tuition
We require 25% of tuition as a non-refundable deposit to reserve your spot in class. When signing your child up through the link below, you will be asked to pay the 25% deposit, and you can choose to create a payment plan or pay in full. You will also be asked to electronically sign our parental agreement. Payment in full is due by the first day of the class. You may pay via credit card online. If you would like to pay with cash or check, please call 970.728.6363 ext. 2 to sign your child up.

Tuition Fees

The tuition fees for YPT vary by age. Programming for K-2 is $350.00, grades 3-5 is $525.00, and grades 6-12 is $725.00 This is an all-inclusive tuition fee; the only thing required by parents is proper shoe attire and basic underclothes. They are also offered free voice lessons from Leah during the production. We also hire a creative team to build professional level set, costumes, and sound design!

Scholarships
YPT ensures that cost is never a barrier for kids to participate. The Sheridan Arts Foundation awards over $8,000 in scholarships annually to families who need financial assistance; in addition to scholarships, YPT works with families for tuition deduction through work-trade and volunteer opportunities at the Sheridan Opera House!

Click to Register

Registration for the 2026-2027 season opens

August 3 at 10:00 am

 

Adventures in Acting Presents: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and The Little Ghost Who Was a Quilt (Grades K,1,2) $350.00

Rehearsal will be every Wednesday from September 9-October 28.

*There will be NO Rehearsal on October 7.

Performance: Wednesday, October 28 at 5:15 pm

(Free and open to the public)

 

The Spongebob Musical (Grades 6,7,8) $725.00

Rehearsals will be every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday beginning September 14.

*There will be NO rehearsal the week of October 5 or during Thanksgiving break.

Performances: Friday & Saturday, December 4 & 5 at 6 pm, and Sunday, December 6 at 4 pm

Hadestown (Grades 9-12) $725.00

Rehearsals will be every Monday-Thursday beginning December 9.

*Rehearsals will be sporadic in December, and there will be a few Friday/weekend rehearsals.

Performances: Friday & Saturday, February 5 & 6 at 6 pm and Sunday, February 7 at 4 pm

 

Trolls the Musical (Grades 3,4,5) $525.00

Rehearsals will be every Monday and Thursday beginning February 15.

*There will be NO rehearsal over spring break.

Performances: Friday & Saturday, April 30 & May 1 at 6 pm and Sunday, May 2 at 4 pm

TO APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID:

Financial Aid applications are processed electronically when you register your child through our regular registration process. After you have registered your child, you will receive a confirmation email with a link to necessary financial aid paperwork. You are required to provide the first 2 pages of your 2021 Tax Return and our SAFYPT Personal Financial Statement. All financial aid application documents are due one month before the first day of class.

IF PARENTS HAVE FILED TAXES SEPARATELY, EACH PARENT MUST SUBMIT THEIR INDIVIDUAL TAX RETURN AS PART OF THE APPLICATION.

Since its inception in 2020, The SAF Not-So Young People’s Theater has produced one big musical every year that stars community members of all ages. Past performances include I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, The Sound of Music, Meet Me in St. Louis, Into the Woods, and Mary Poppins. Auditions are held in May of every year; if you’re interested in participating, email Leah@SheridanOperaHouse.com!

 

We are pleased to announce the 2026 Not-So-Young-People’s Theater Production:

SHREK The Musical

October 8-11, 2026

PAST YPT SHOWS

Click on button to see archive of past YPT shows

Support Young People's Theater

Donate and watch our virtual programming

The Sheridan Arts Foundation has awarded more than $164,000 in scholarship awards to Telluride’s youth since the program’s inception. Additionally, we subsidize all tuition prices to keep them affordable for all families.