The 'Trio of Talent' Behind Valley Youth Theatre Celebrate Their Diamond Anniversaries!

Valley Youth Theatre (VYT) is excited to celebrate the diamond 20-year anniversary for three of its founding veterans. Bobb Cooper, VYT's Producing Artistic Director, Karol Cooper, its Resident Costume Designer and Mark Fearey, its Resident Music Director all brought their award-winning magic to the theatre in 1996.

Under their leadership, VYT has been recognized as one of the most professional and vibrant youth theatres in the country, producing over 180 productions and training hundreds of aspiring young people. Several have become celebrities in places like Hollywood and on Broadway. Talented performers such as Emma Stone (The Help, Crazy, Stupid Love, The Amazing Spiderman and The Croods), Kimiko Glenn (Orange is the New Black), Chelsea Kane (ABC Families Baby Daddy), Jordin Sparks (Grammy Award nominated singer, songwriter and actress), and many others are VYT Alumni.

"My life has been centered around children and enhancing their lives," says Bobb Cooper. "Our goal at VYT is to inspire young people to be the very best that they can be in whatever avenue they choose to pursue. We have alumni who put their lives on the line for us every day as policemen and public servants," continues Cooper. "We have those who save lives as nurses and doctors, those who excel in corporate capacities and many other fields and, yes, those who have gone on to make big names as performers. The common thread they share is the life lessons of respect, self-esteem and aiming to be the best they can be - these lessons that we teach transcend stage, acting and choreography. This is what we hope our youth will carry into every area they touch."

"Behind the success of Valley Youth Theatre performances are a 'trio of talent'," says Terrance Thornton, of the Independent Newsmedia. "A costume designer, a music director and a play director - provide a guiding light for participants, parents and community volunteers."

Over the next three months each of these esteemed individuals will mark their twenty-year anniversary at Valley Youth Theatre.

A celebration is planned for March 20th at the Crescent Ballroom to honor the work and magic that these talented directors have contributed to Valley Youth Theatre. "Invitations went out, however I am sure that we may have missed a few people completely by accident," says Hope Ozer, VYT's Founding Board Chair. "If one of these amazing people influenced your life and you would like to honor them or attend the festivities, please call the VYT Box Office at (602) 253-8188."

Founded in 1989, Valley Youth Theatre (VYT) is a professional-quality theatre company dedicated to helping young people achieve their full potential through meaningful engagement, education, and excellence in the performing arts.

Winner of more than four dozen National Youth Arts awards, voted "Best Live Theater" on azcentral.com, heralded as "Best Place to Take a Bow" by Phoenix Magazine, and rated one of the "Top Ten Places to Become a Future Star" by The Arizona Republic, VYT produces six mainstage shows each season including two at the Herberger Theater Center.

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