Jewish Youth Theatre's AND A CHILD SHALL LEAD Begins Today

Jason Shela, Mimi Stuart, Lance Laytner & Michelle Laytner are pleased to announce the formation of the Jewish Youth Theatre. The first production is a revival of the successful run of AND A CHILD SHALL LEAD, performing on April 16; Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day.

"We believe there is a huge appetite in New York for Jewish themed theatrical productions, and much like the Katz's Deli, we intend to serve that audience" said Mimi Stuart, Artistic Director of the Children's Acting Academy.

The Jewish Youth Theater is dedicated to producing original and classic drama, musicals, comedy and other innovative productions that celebrate Jewish history, life, and culture in all its many facets. It is located at 270 West 84th Street, in the Play Together School, Ohav Shalom Building, between West End Avenue and Broadway in the heart of Manhattan's Upper West Side.

The First original upcoming production of The Jewish Youth Theatre is 'A Celebration Tribute to Jewish Theater, Film & Television', directed by Mimi Stuart, musical director Esther Radzyner. And produced by Jason Grant Shela, Mimi Stuart, Lance Laytner & Michelle Laytner.

Auditions for youth actors 7 and up and adults will be held on April 27th & 28th from 6-8pm at either Ripley Grier Studios 131 West 72nd Street or 270 West 84th Street. Performances in late June TBA. Registration for auditions by emailing Jewishyouththeater@gmail.com or caanyc@gmail.com.

Jason Grant Shela was born and raised in London, England. He received his theatrical training at The Sir Michael Redgrave Theatre. After winning an international scholarship and graduating Magna Cum Laude from Baruch College, City University of New York, Jason received a Steven Spielberg Scholarship for international study at the Jagiellonian University, Cracow, Poland and a post graduate scholarship at Yale University.

Jason has directed and produced many shows in New York, Memphis & Mississippi. He has received multiple ASCAP awards for original music composition. At the Children's Acting Academy he has produced such wide-ranging plays and musicals as 'Out of My Comfort Zone,' 'And a Child Shall Lead,' 'Secrets of Columbine,' & 'Rock N Roll Dance Party.'

Mimi Stuart, Artistic Director and owner of The Children's Acting Academy, has been acting and entertaining audiences since she was 10 years old, and professionally since she was 15. She has had roles such as news reporter, nurse, lawyer, and real estate mogul in films such as the Academy Award-nominated 'In and Out' with Kevin Kline and Joan Cusack, and Off Broadway in 'The Mandela'.

Mimi received her BFA in Acting from York University in Toronto and her MFA in Acting from Rutgers Mason Gross School of the Arts in New Brunswick, studying under William Esper. Mimi taught acting at Kean University and voice and speech at NYU and Weist-Barron. She was the originator of The Children and Teen Musical Theatre and Voice and Speech Program at HB Studio. In addition to producing and directing her own shows at the Children's Acting Company, she has produced and directed shows and taught classes at Saints John and Paul in Larchmont, and several Westchester NY school districts. Many of Mimi's students are attending the four major performing arts high schools in NYC, and have gone on to star and appear in Broadway and television shows.

Tickets for tonight's performance AND A CHILD SHALL LEAD in the Brooks Ballroom of Park East Day School are $18.00 and available at the door. Park East Day School is located at 164 East 68 Street in Manhattan.