YES Academy Classes and Auditions

Who is Eligible to Audition?

If you have participated in a YES Company production and are currently in 7th-12th grade
If you have not participated in a YES Company production, are currently in 7th-12th grade, and agree to audition for the upcoming YES Company production
If you are a current GCYA student, and are currently in 7th-8th grade, you may audition for YES Academy in addition to participating in GCYA

How to Prepare for and What to Expect from Auditions

Please come with a 60-90 sec musical theater song excerpt prepared. About 32-64 bars
Please send your backing track to msniffen@galloarts.org preferably in a mp3/mp4 file format OR bring sheet music to your audition
Please come with a 60-90 sec memorized monologue from a play or musical
Students may learn a short dance phrase to perform in small groups

Monthly Classes

Classes are held twice a month and taught by YES Company Director/Choreographer Maggie Sniffen and YES Company Musical Director Jamie Johns.
All classes are held on Wednesdays from 4:00 -7:00 PM.
All classes are held at the Tom Changnon Education Center (TCEC) 1325 H Street, OR the Martin G. Petersen Event Center (Petersen) 720 12th Street, OR Stanislaus County Office of Education (SCOE) 1100 H Street, all in downtown Modesto.
Students can expect both music and theater elements in every class as well as performance preparation.
The semester will culminate in an informal invited showcase during the last class session.

Community Performances & Engagement Activities

Students have opportunities to perform and volunteer at various community events throughout the season as a way to give back to their community and showcase their musical theater training.

Student Commitment

In order for the entire group to succeed and grow, it is vital for students to commit fully to the program.
Students are expected to attend every class for the entire duration of the semester.
Students are expected to attend every performance unless previously agreed upon with the Arts Education Programs Manager, Maggie Sniffen.
If students miss more than three classes/performances a semester, they may be dropped from the program.
See sample Spring Calendar for class schedule and possible performance and event dates. Fall Semester begins August 13, 2025