About Us

About Us

YPPC admits students of any race, color, gender identity, and national or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students.

Our History

Young People’s Performing Company was founded in the spring of 1982 by Jeffryn and Ty Stephens as a non-profit corporation to provide teaching and performance opportunities in the dramatic arts for young people from kindergarten age through high school.

Over 35 years and more than 1000 productions later, YPPC continues to create a community in which young actors and directors learn and explore the theatrical world. In a typical year, we bring more than 25 productions to the stage, including at least two musicals.

Each year since 1985 YPPC has been granted class, rehearsal and performance space in the WTVD theater in the Durham Arts Council building for our programs. This generous annual grant from the Arts Council contributes substantially our annual program costs.

Many of our students go on to audition for and participate in college and university theater programs and conservatories. Some have become professional writers, directors, actors and technicians.