YADA PRODUCTIONS

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Where Kids Find Their Voice

For over 29 years, YADA® (Youth Academy of Dramatic Arts) has provided comprehensive theatrical training to young performers in Los Angeles, offering a safe, exciting, and supportive space where students can learn, grow, and express themselves through the magic of theatre.

Our classes, designed for ages 0-17, are structured by age and ability (MINIS, TOTS–Master & Company), with each session culminating in an unforgettable performance. We also offer improvisation classes to foster creativity, boost confidence, and ease anxiety, along with private coaching in voice, acting, and dance.

At YADA, we believe theatre is about more than just performance—it’s about personal growth. Our instructors are dedicated to helping students develop emotional maturity, self-confidence, and essential life skills, including respect, commitment, and perseverance. We don’t just teach theatre—we help kids discover their voices and a love for themselves.

Our Commitment to Inclusivity and Community

YADA has always been a place where students, families, and staff of all backgrounds and identities can come together as their full, authentic selves. We are stronger when we embrace our differences, and we are deeply committed to fostering an inclusive, welcoming, and empowering environment for all.

As we continue to grow, our mission remains the same: to celebrate diversity, prioritize inclusion, and create a space where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. We are dedicated to learning, adapting, and responding to the evolving needs of our community with thoughtfulness and care. You are safe here. 

Keeping the Magic Alive

When the world shut down in March 2020, so did our theatre—but the magic of YADA never stopped. In the face of uncertainty, we created YADAVISION, our online platform, to ensure that our students could still connect, rehearse, and experience the joy of theatre from home. Through Zoom rehearsals, we saw the resilience of our young performers as they laughed with their friends, sang their hearts out, and found a much-needed escape from a challenging time.

The pandemic reminded us of the true power of theatre—not just as a stage for performance, but as a source of comfort, creativity, and connection. No matter the circumstances, YADA remains committed to uplifting and encouraging young performers, ensuring that the magic of theatre continues to inspire, unite, and bring joy to our community.

YADA has always been about more than just theatre—it’s about community, creativity, and connection. The magic of YADA doesn’t just live within our walls—it lives in our incredible students, staff, and families.

If you have any questions or concerns about YADA’s policies, practices, or programs, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Together, we will continue to build a stronger, more inclusive community.

Thank you for being a part of the YADA family and for helping us live our values every day.

With gratitude,
Kim Harrigan & Lani Shipman
YADA Co-Owners

 

 

 

 

Thank you for such a wonderful week at YADA. This was Graham’s first experience with you all, and I can honestly say I’ve never seen him light up the way he has this past week at camp. He had the absolute best time and has already told us that he wants to do as much YADA as he possibly can! I’m signing him up now for Mary Poppins, where he’ll get to experience it alongside a bunch of his friends. I truly feel that, because of your program and the fun, encouraging environment you’ve created, Graham may have found that thing we parents are always hoping our kids will discover—the thing that makes them light up and feel completely themselves. Thank you for creating such a special place for kids to explore, grow, and find their joy. We’re so grateful Graham got to be a part of it, and we’re really looking forward to becoming part of the YADA community!

Thank you so much! We love YADA so much. We found your wonderful program when my daughter was 5, during Covid when there really wasn’t much going on. Since then, both of my children have completely fallen in love with it. They’ve been in almost every play, and now my daughter is turning 10 next month — it’s been such a special part of their childhood.

My kids were in the High School Musical performance last night, and it reminded me again how talented Bethany and David are, especially as a team. I’ve seen so many of their productions over the years — even ones my children weren’t involved in — and they truly know how to put on an incredible show. Their creativity, energy, and hard work really shine through.

Parker is SO HAPPY. Please know from the bottom of my heart… this means that much to us!!!! We love you guys.

We are truly so grateful and thankful for how gracious you have been to Poppy and we all just think that YADA is such a special place.

Thank you again for truly always taking such great care of our daughter and always making her feel seen and heard. That doesn’t exist in a lot of places, and it really does at YADA. Thanks!

We want to express our gratitude for the scholarship for our daughter.  She so enjoyed coming to YADA and fell in love with her role. She showed so much enthusiasm at our place.  Last night’s performance was incredible and so much fun.  It wouldn’t have been possible with your support.  She is extremely eager to continue with MATILDA and she enjoyed making new friends. Thank you for making this all possible.
XO

Rainer is thriving at YADA and we are so happy to have found such a nurturing, amazing place for
him to learn.

You guys are epic… So amazed by the work and love that goes into each and every production. You help your students grow and shine. You deserve all the applause. We are blessed to be part of the YADA family.

Becoming part of the YADA family has been an amazing experience for David!

Mutual love fest here!!!!

Thank you so much. I have already enrolled Janey for the next season. She tells me that she wants to go to YADA forever!

Skylar absolutely loves YADA and would not think of missing it. I enrolled her the very first day of registration so we should be all set!

Our daughter is thriving and extremely happy in your program!

Thank you again to you, all the teachers and Yada for this opportunity for Lourdes, her heart is so set on this.

Alice In Wonderland

Summer 2015

YADA Mission Statement

In a city exploding with film and television, The Youth Academy of Dramatic Arts offers theatrical training for the young people of Los Angeles. YADA's mission is to impart a professional theatrical discipline, as well as to offer young people a safe and nurturing environment in which to grow. Besides the training and experience that YADA offers, children are guided in building self-esteem, self-confidence, and self-awareness. At YADA, our students are encouraged to find their own voice and freely express themselves. YADA...where kids find their voice.