About
History of YAT

A Message from the Founder, Tina Williams
50 YEARS—Wow!
It is hard to comprehend the number of years, experiences, and oh so many memories.
It all started in 1975 at a social occasion when a friend suggested I teach after school theatre classes. She promised a class full of 5th graders and another friend jumped on the idea and promised her 3rd grade Scout troop. And so it began!
Before there was the theatre on Glenview, there were classes in my living room, downstairs in my grandmother’s basement, and a small yellow and green building that use to be a nursery school, which was purchased by my parents, renovated, and painted pink.
The tradition of pink began! The excitement and enthusiasm grew as we grew our surroundings. When my father passed away, my mother and I wanted to create something special in his name! So in 1986, a Theatre was built. A foundation for the success of many years to come.
As the years went on, and YAT continued to grow, it truly took a village or a big pink building, with a dedicated staff, parents, volunteers, and students. The students were always the heart of the organization, they were a part of a special unique family.
A tradition today that continues through our many dedicated alumni.
I would like to dedicate this 50TH ANNIVERSARY year to my parents whose support for me, and the thousands of people young and old who have walked these doors was truly a gift.
And TOGETHER we have created a tradition of excellence.
As Tevye says, “Without our traditions, our lives would be as shaky as a fiddler on the roof.”

1975 - 1976
First classes in Tina's living room

1976
First show, "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown," held outside at Tina's grandmother's home in 1976

1979
Tina hires Music Director Alison Grimes, who creates the music education program

1980
The building on Glenview Drive is purchased and renovated for classes

1981
The early YAT student body

1981
"The Diary of Ann Frank" in the new theatre space

1980s
Then student, now Emmy-Award winner Tony Hale performs a scene

1983
Actress Cheryl Hines and Actor Jef Cantor in "Anything Goes"

1990
1990-91 Season promo image

1990
Cast members promote "Wizard of Oz" with a hot air balloon ride

1995
Young Actors "Raise the Roof" Campaign

1996
Studio Singers Performance at the Olympic Torch Relay, Downtown Tallahassee

1996
"A Chorus Line" - Emily Fletcher went on to star in the show on Broadway

1998
"The Fantastiks," guest directed by alum and lead of the off-broadway show, Christine Long Hamilton

2003
Backstage with the class of 2003, which includes Allison Miller - network TV actress, Michael Porter - scenic designer, Emily Hammond Cook - company manger of the original Hamilton, Kara Uhl - of the Gates Foundation, Matt Reeves - award-winning choreographer

2008
Backstage at "Little Shop of Horrors," a YAT Classic

2009
"High School Musical" - we're all in this together

2013
Alum Tony Hale won his first of two Emmys for "Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series" for Veep in 2013 and 2015 and was nominated in the same category in 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2019. He won his third Emmy in 2023 for "Outstanding Lead Performance in a Children's program" for The Mysterious Benedict Society on Disney+.

2011
"Hairspray: The Musical" directed by Worth Williams Hages, alumni who was Amber Von Tussle on the Broadway National Tour

2014
"Big River"

2015
"42nd Street"

2016
"Pinkakicious" directed by alum Natalie Futrell, now YAT Managing Director

2016
"Into the Woods" with Nate Jones, now an administrator at American Ballet Theatre, and Haley Root, current actress

2018
Tony Hale takes Founder Tina Williams to the Screen Actors Guild Awards, executive produced by Jon Brockett (YAT Alum). Here, they are interviewed live on E!

2020
The pandemic hits, and YAT takes "Matilda" online, with a video that was featured on national TV: Fox & Friends. The show was cancelled for live audiences, but YAT's show went on

2021
YAT reopens with Grease, directed by Founder Tina Williams, with her longtime creative partners Alison Bundrick and Alison Grimes. With "A Toast to Tina," Williams retires, passing the baton to her niece Sarah Doolin Roy, who joins us from American Ballet Theatre.

2022
Tallahassee State College gifts YAT theatre chairs, prompting a major renovation of the theatre. YAT became more accessible, secure, and innovative with the project. Original chairs were given to SoMo Playhouse.

2022
Broadway Debut! YAT students are selected to perform at the Gershwin Theatre, home to "Wicked," as part of Arts for Autism: A Broadway Benefit. Here, a YAT student sings a duet with Broadway's Noah Piser, then star of "Dear Evan Hansen"

2023
Act One & Studio Singers perform at Disney World! Here, they hold the Golden Mickey, an Imagination Campus Award

2023
YAT hosts three Broadway stars, Shoshana Bean, Caissie Levy, and Christy Altomare, for benefit concerts on Glenview Drive! Proceeds benefit the making of a full-length movie musical, "Joni & The Whale," by Alum David Reiser with production by alumni team: Emily Cook, Matt Reeves, Jordan Reeves

2023
Behind-the-Scenes of "Joni & The Whale," a full-length movie musical filmed during the summer of 2023 by YAT alumni, starring current YAT students. This is Matt Reeves, class of 2003.

2024
Attend the tale of "Sweeney Todd," a smash-hit summer show produced by Artistic Director J. Scott Handley, alum Jessica Cavanagh, and choreographer Isabel Chistoni

2024
Music Director Alison Grimes is recognized by The Tony Awards with an honorable mention for excellence in theatre education! It is her 45th Anniversary working at YAT

2025
YAT Celebrates 50 Years!