As the lights dim, a hush falls over the room. The darkened stage, decorated as an enchanted forest, is awash in the glow of a campfire prop constructed of cardboard, tulle, and twinkling lights. The audience, comprised of family, friends, and volunteers, cheer as a group of local youth file in. Dressed as campers, wizards, and even a sasquatch, they take their marks amid the dimly lit forest, and the play begins.
Sasquatch vs. Wizards, an original production written and directed by performing arts instructor Gunnar Johnson, was a standout showcase from this year’s youth arts programming at the Tom Taylor Family YMCA.
“The kids didn’t just learn their lines. They helped make the set, build the props, everything. They brought the entire scene to life,” said Gunnar. “It was theirs from start to finish.”
Thanks to donor-funded financial assistance, programs like this are accessible to all youth, regardless of their families’ financial circumstances.
Behind the Curtain
This performance was just one of many dance and theatre recitals held across the YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties each spring. Throughout May, youth dancers and actors take the stage at centers from Silverdale to Lakewood, sharing the results of months of hard work, growth, and creativity. Across the association, more than 21,000 youth participate in the Y’s arts programs, which typically begin in the fall and culminate in spring showcases.
In dance classes, students explore rhythm, body awareness, and choreography in styles like ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, hula, and Ori Tahiti, while also building confidence, discipline, and creative expression.
In theatre, kids develop voice, movement, storytelling, and improv skills. They learn to collaborate, adapt, and even help build the sets and props that bring their stories to life – including the glowing campfire featured in Sasquatch vs. Wizards.
“They weren’t just acting, they were creating,” adds Gunnar. “You could see their personalities in every scene.”
Beyond the fun and applause, performing arts help kids grow in ways that are harder to measure but equally important. Studies have found that participation in youth dance helps build skills in self-confidence, emotional regulation, social connectedness, and teamwork, especially in group settings. Activities like dramatic play, improv, and storytelling help build confidence, emotional resilience, and teamwork.
“We focus on the process just as much as the performance,” said DeVon Anderson, Arts Director at the Tom Taylor Family YMCA. “It’s more about who the kids become along the way.”
These experiences can be especially meaningful for children navigating life transitions, anxiety, or social challenges by offering a sense of belonging and accomplishment that follows them off the stage.
“Families will tell us that this is what their child looks forward to most each week. That’s when you know it matters,” adds DeVon.
The Show Must Go On - With Your Help
Many of the youth who take the stage each season are only able to do so because of donor-funded financial assistance. The cost of dance shoes, costumes, and class fees all add up quickly, and for some families, they are simply out of reach.
In fact, more than 2,800 youth participants in the arts programs receive some form of financial assistance, making it possible for them to enroll, participate, and perform. Community donations help ensure any child can participate, regardless of their family’s financial situation.
Together, We Make the Arts Possible
While the curtain has fallen on this season’s youth arts programs at the Y, the participants will carry with them the confidence, connection and pride they found through their creative work. These performances give kids a chance to express themselves, try something new, and feel supported.
Thanks to our community of donors, volunteers, and staff, more youth across our region are getting the opportunity to grow. That’s the kind of impact that stays with a child long after the final bow.