The Irene C. Edmonds Youth Theatre is a non-profit program for young people housed within the Theatre Program at Florida A&M University. It seeks to explore and enhance the intellectual, emotional, creative and artistic abilities and talents of each participant. Named in honor of Irene Colbert Edmonds, this program seeks to establish a disciplined and nurturing environment for today’s youth. Edmonds, a pioneer in African American Children’s Theatre, founded and directed the acclaimed FAMU Creative Children’s Theatre for twelve years (1948-1960) and served the University and the state as a cultural role model from 1947-1968.

The summer camp is a five (5) week program designed to introduce and expose participants to the arts – theatre, music and dance – through daily classes, workshops and cultural excursions. The program culminates with a production at the Charles Winter Wood Theatre on the campus.

The youth theatre members continue participating with the Theatre Program throughout the year by attending Essential Theatre productions deemed appropriate for their varying age groups as well as other suitable cultural and academic activities in the area.

We feel that the program has been successful in providing:

¨      Community outreach for the University

¨      Exposure of young people to the performing arts

¨      A forum for theatre majors to hone their teaching, supervisory and dramatic skills through work with youth theatre members

Irene C. Edmonds Youth Theatre

Class of 2005