Encore’s Youth Leadership Program: Where Theater Meets Purpose
At Encore Performing Arts, we believe in creating not only great theater—but great leaders.
Our Youth Leadership Program was born from this belief and has grown into a dynamic, hands-on training experience that helps teens discover and develop essential life skills through the power of the performing arts. Now entering its 10th youth leadership camp since 2022, the program continues to evolve as a launchpad for empowered, compassionate, and capable young people.
What Makes This Program Special?
While most camps focus solely on performance, Encore’s Youth Leadership Program offers something more: the chance for young leaders to step up, guide others, and make a meaningful impact.
Each youth leader receives immersive training from professionals in communication, collaboration, problem-solving, and mentorship. They learn how to:
Communicate with clarity and kindness
Model professionalism and personal responsibility
Remain calm and solution-focused under pressure
Create positive, inclusive environments
Lead with empathy, organization, and purpose
These emerging leaders then step into action, helping to run our week-long musical theater camps. They lead warmups, assist with choreography and staging, manage rehearsals, and support every camper—setting the tone and culture for the week.
More Than a Show
Encore’s Youth Leadership Program is designed to help participants grow on and off the stage. Through the lens of acting, storytelling, and theater-making, they build skills in:
Collaboration and teamwork
Critical thinking and creative problem-solving
Giving and receiving constructive feedback
Communication and confidence
Leadership and empathy
Our mission is simple: to inspire and empower young artists to discover their potential and lead with heart.
Roles Within the Program
Youth leaders take on various responsibilities, including:
Director
Assistant Director
Music Director
Choreographer
Stage Manager
Mentors and Camp Crew
Every leader plays a critical part in helping young performers feel supported, seen, and successful.
Leading the Encore Way
To support their leadership, we provide a structure for success:
Highly engaged and qualified production staff for organization and safety
Daily camp schedules broken into clear, manageable blocks
Defined leadership roles with checklists and responsibilities
Morning check-ins and end-of-day debriefs
Shared communication platforms for coordination and updates
The results? A well-run camp filled with joy, growth, and connection—and a generation of young leaders ready to bring those same qualities into the world around them.
Why It Matters
Our mission at Encore is to inspire and empower young artists through unparalleled arts education, mentorship, and extraordinary theater experiences. Our Youth Leadership Program is a living example of that mission in action.
We aim to cultivate leadership skills that transcend the stage—helping young people grow into confident, empathetic, and purpose-driven individuals. Whether they pursue a career in the arts or not, they leave with tools that will serve them in every part of life.
Encore’s Youth Leadership Program is more than a camp—it’s a community. A movement. A stage for transformation.
And we can’t wait to see where our young leaders go next.
