Young at Arts
Young At Arts (YAA) is an educational youth programme of the Cayman National Cultural Foundation, supported by Butterfield, which includes after-school instruction. The YAA after-school theatre programme will focus on one or more disciplines each semester. The company is guided by an artistic philosophy that recognizes that Caymanian cultural forms and enactments, and their creative interpretation and expression through art, are vital in the moulding of a Caymanian aesthetic. This philosophy is best articulated by our mindfulness of the fact that the highest forms of art, even when specific to the culture out of which they emerged, are capable of universal communication and understanding. The principal purpose of the programme is to train young creative minds in the practical disciplines of the performing arts and, by doing so:
- Engage Youth in creative activity through theatre practices
- Create An Outlet for young people with creative potential
- Fill A Void left by the lack of adequate Performing Arts instruction in our schools
- Create An Audience for the arts
- Make use of play scripts from the National Playwriting Competition
- Develop a company of talented and disciplined creative artists
- Present quality ‘work-shows’ and stage productions that demonstrate acquired knowledge and skills.
- Set the groundwork for further exploration of the arts in adulthood (i.e. University degree etc.)
Young at Arts 2012 (fall term)
YAA Auditions September 7th, 2013 at the Harquail Theatre • Contact CNCF to book an audition • Tel: (345) 949 5477 • Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. • The fall programme runs September 9th to December 11th, 2013 • Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday • 4:00pm to 6:30pm • at the Harquail Studio Theatre
Young at Arts 2013 (spring term)
The spring programme runs January 7th to April 17th, 2013 • Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday • 4:00pm to 6:30pm at the Harquail Studio Theare
"Butterfield is proud to support the Cayman National Cultural Foundation, Young at Arts programme. We believe that supporting the development and aspirations of young people is important. Arts is a fundamental building block to education and academic achievement. Programmes such as this build on our children’s overall development, self esteem, self confidence and provides a positive outlet for after school and holiday times. Butterfield encourages appreciation and exploration of the arts and is pleased to support our national foundation in this huge undertaking." Rebecca L Ebanks, Marketing & Communications at Butterfield
YAA INSTRUCTORS
Miss Nadine Thomas • Nadine Thomas is an advocate for drama who believes that the art does not simply entertain but impact ones entire life and destiny. She is a well-rounded teacher, who has taught and worked with diverse groups of students including students from various cultural backgrounds; students challenged by autism and learning disabilities; as well as gifted students who performed above grade level. Miss Thomas is a graduate of the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts with a Diploma and BFA in Drama in Education. She is also a recipient of the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission Award in Music and was awarded Most Outstanding Stage Manager (Edna Manley College). She currently works at the Lighthouse School in Grand Cayman, and is delighted to be a part of the Young At Arts Programme.
Mrs. Robin Tayman • Mrs. Robin Tayman is a PK (preacher’s kid) and was raised on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, USA. She began singing and touring as a teenager with the Southern New England Youth Chorale, and soon received her Bachelor’s Degree in Sacred Music, with concentrations in Voice and Conducting from Central Bible College in Springfield, Missouri. While in college, she toured and recorded with the Revivaltime Radio Choir, where she met her husband David, who is now the associate pastor at First Assembly of God, George Town. Robin began her music performance teaching career as Director of the Nantucket Chamber Music Community Chorus. She has been the Music Ministries Director in several churches, developing choirs, worship teams and soloists. She is a vocal coach and adjudicator for the U.S. National Fine Arts Program, as well as the Junior Miss Program. Her students have consistently placed first in State performance exhibitions, with several achieving National Top 10 status. In 2005, the Taymans moved to Florida and Robin was the Middle and High school choral director, as well as a private vocal and piano instructor, at Victory Christian Academy and Cleveland School of Music in Lakeland. She was also a member and soloist with the 125 voice Victory Choir. Most recently she has taught music in the Bahamas and at the Cayman Islands Government High Schools. She is currently the rehearsal director for the Singing Christmas Tree Choir. The Taymans are the proud parents of 2 adult children. David lll and his wife Emily live in Atlanta, Georgia where he works as a television commercial producer. Their daughter Jillian has her Bachelor’s Degree in social work and lives in upstate New York with her husband, Anthony. The Tayman’s grandchildren are 1 year-old Bradyn and 2 year-old Anne. Their empty nest is filled with Tony, their much spoiled 11 year-old miniature American Eskimo dog, and his little brother, Shadow...who looks just like him and is 5. Robin’s passion is to share God’s beautiful gift of music through encouragement, instruction, performance and ministry.
Young At Arts (YAA)
Click here to watch the YAA video!
• Open to children aged 12 – 17 who are registered full-time students of schools in the Cayman Islands.
• Must have an interest in theatre or any of its component disciplines – music, dance and acting.
• Up to 30 students who score highest in the auditions will be invited to membership for a period of one academic year.
• Members may advance to the second year of the programme only through the attainment of a grade that is above average.
• A member who maintains good grades may remain in the programme for a maximum of 5 years.
• Discipline, creativity, regularity and punctuality are critical to the success of the programme and must be strictly adhered to.
• Membership from semester to semester will be dependent on the student’s progress.
• A member may leave the programme at any time except when he/she is an integral part of a work show or performance being rehearsed or staged.
• A minimum of four weeks notice of withdrawal must be given in order for a suitable replacement to be found.
• Scholarships are awarded based on need and merit and a maximum of three (3) scholarships are awarded each semester. The cost to attend YAA is $150 per month.
Auditions will be held in January and September each year. For more information please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (345) 949 5477.
