Center Stage Theatre

54 Grove St
Shelton, CT 06484
ph: 203-225-6079
centerstageshelton@sbcglobal.net

YC Players

In 1983, after directing the Shelton High School Drama Club for almost a decade, Gary and Francesca Scarpa founded a summer theatre group for high school and college students. With the help of former Shelton Mayor Eugene Hope, the Scarpas were granted permission to use the then vacant Huntington School, where they mounted the Youth CONNection’s first production, West Side Story, which played to nine sell-out audiences.

In the summer of 1984, the Youth CONNection performed their second production, Bye, Bye Birdie at Shelton High School’s Percy Kingsley Auditorium, where they have resided ever since. Each summer, the group has performed such musicals as Annie, The Sound of Music, Fiddler on the Roof, Hello Dolly, The Music Man, The King and I, Oklahoma!, Brigadoon, South Pacific, Godspell, Anything Goes, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Les Miserables, Thoroughly Modern Millie and Annie Get Your Gun, to name a few.

Members of the Youth CONNection have also given benefit performances for civic organizations and worthy causes throughout the state, including Juvenile Diabetes, the American Cancer Society, Hospice, the Ronald McDonald House, AIDS Project New Haven, The American Cancer Society, and Unicef.

Youth CONNection productions are known for their energy, excitement, and professionalism. The following video is an example of the quality of Youth CONNection productions, but to see a live production is to experience the magic. Please click HERE to view excerpts from our recent production of Thoroughly Modern Millie.

Now in its 29th year, the Youth CONNection continues to entertain thousands of people each summer. Many of our Youth CONNection performers started as campers in the Center Stage Theatre Camp when they were children. Our talented high school and college students are the heart and soul of the Center Stage organization, not only giving great performances, but volunteering countless hours to help Center Stage succeed by designing and maintaining our website, painting sets, designing and setting lights, serving as stage crew members, organizing costumes and wigs, ushering, and assisting with many other tasks.

Youth CONNection Productions are held at Shelton High School each summer in late July.

Youth CONNection History

1983 - West Side Story

1983 - The Fantastiks

1984 - Bye Bye Birdie

1985 - No Tune Like A Show Tune

1986 - Annie

1986 - Man of La Mancha

1987 - The Sound of Music

1988 - Fiddler on the Roof

1988 - I Love Christmas

1989 - Hello Dolly!