The YSP Foundation produces two youth programs each summer, Youth Sing Praise and Youth Sing Praise Jr., as well as events to raise program funds, and reunions for YSP alumni.
Our Board of Directors work to support the mission and vision of the YSP Foundation and through financial support and professional expertise. The Executive Director and the Program Director(s) work closely with the Board to keep the programs rooted in tradition while keeping an eye to the future.
The Artistic Director is closely involved with the hiring and training of theatrical staff, with the exploration of new commissions, and creating relationships in the theatrical community with our programs.
The Spiritual Director is an Oblate of Mary Immaculate who advises in the hiring and training of ministerial staff and guides the Foundation in maintaining our connection with the Oblates and their charism in our programming.
Our premier program is Youth Sing Praise, a 9-day overnight performing arts camp and religious retreat for high school teens, culminating in the top-quality performance of a faith-based musical for an audience of thousands.
The Foundations also invites middle school students to a one-day workshop, YSP Jr., where they learn performance skills, prayer and community-building–like YSP on a shorter scale.
Helpers Team for young adults (often alumni of YSP) is a service leadership experience that incorporates prayer and reflection into the physical work and leadership skills required to make YSP–and any community program–happen with grace and excellence.
Over the years, many musicals have been written expressly for, or debuted at YSP. From Stephen Schwartz’s Family Tree (later re-titled Children of Eden) in 1986, to our most recent commission from Orin Johnson and Bradley J. Behrmann, Just Pretend, we benefit from relationships with talented, faith-filled writers and composers.