It’s nearly show time for Youthclusive as they run through final rehearsals ahead of its opening
night of High School Musical on Friday at the Center Stage Theatre.
Youthclusive is an entirely student-run theatre company that aims to bring diversity and inclusion to the theater scene.
“Hate has no place in theatre,” is the motto for the non-profit, a phrase that for director and
founder of Youthclusive, Chloe Voigt, is personal.
Starting her journey in theatre in Connecticut, she found herself often barred from roles due to her body.
“I was always kind of cast away because of my weight,” Voigt told the News-Press.
Not only that, but she noticed the same thing happening to her friends who didn’t fit into the
discriminatory standards of theatre.
So she took change into her own hands when she moved to Santa Barbara and at 13 years old
started Youthclusive, a place where anyone can be welcomed into the world of theater.
“We want to inspire the next generation,” music director Alma Li said.
With the upcoming show, both excitement and nerves are high.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing how people can shine on the stage,” Caitlin Weber, Youthclusive choreographer, said.
Last year, Weber choreographed Youthclusive’s production of SpongeBob, but this years’
choreography presented new challenges.
“It’s very different; it’s portraying real people, not cartoon characters,” Weber said.
The choreography for the show is focused on bringing emotion and meaning to daily movement, then translating that into dance.
The production features a wide range of students coming from different backgrounds and even students from vastly different stages of life.
Candace Erwin is only in fourth grade but landed herself a role as Jack Scott, the announcer at
East High, the fictional high school where High School Musical takes place.
“I’m probably the most scared out of everyone here,” Erwin said. “I’m the person who started
theater at the youngest age.”
She isn’t letting that stop her from taking on the stage as she dances and acts right alongside
older cast members.
Youthclusive isn’t just inclusive of varying ages. The organization has given some people chances they never thought were possible.
Chloe Cuellar is open about having Williams Syndrome and works backstage for the show.
“The challenging part is hoping everyone is OK that I have a disability,” Cuellar said.
This is her second year working with Youthclusive. She helps with set design, prop design, and
costume changes and seeing the final production is well worth it.
“It’s rewarding seeing these props that I got to help with on stage and see it come to life,” Cuellar said. “I hope everyone who comes to see it realizes how amazing this production has been, how hard Chloe Voigt has been working on this, and how hard backstage crew has been working on this.”
After seven months of preparation, the final stretch is here. Technical rehearsals are crunch time as the production company juggles two different casts for the first time.
With two casts, Antonio Luna, along with many others, play a lead role in one cast and are ensemble in the other.
“The journey has been really, really fun,” Luna said. “Everyone has unique talents.”
As the days tick down until opening night on Friday, the usual garage rehearsals have been
replaced with the lights and curtains of the Center Stage Theatre.
For young director Voigt, the most rewarding part is finally seeing her “dream come true” and
seeing the cast and crew finally get the opportunity to do what they love.
The production opens Friday night at 7 p.m. There will be two showings on Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. The final showing will be Sunday at 2 p.m.
Watch this video to hear from the Youthclusive cast and learn more about the program.
