A program shaped by what kids need now
In a time when young people are navigating overstimulation, anxiety, and social pressures, the White Lake Youth Theatre offers something deeper than stage experience. It offers children a place to belong.
Founded in 1973 as a summer play program, the White Lake Youth Theatre (WLYT) has grown into a year-round youth arts program at The Playhouse at White Lake, serving students ages 3 to 18 in theater, music, dance, and movement. Arts Education and Marketing Director Cindy Beth Davis-Dykema explains that the mission goes far beyond producing performances.
“Our goal is to cultivate a compassionate community of youth artists through access and education in the theater arts,” Davis-Dykema said.
By focusing on meeting students where they are, WLYT has transformed from a traditional summer production model into a flexible program that supports confidence, collaboration, and emotional growth.
More than theater training
While students gain technical skills onstage, the program emphasizes learning to be good humans. Conflict resolution, teamwork, resilience, and empathy are part of every workshop.
The program draws families from a broad region along the lakeshore, including Muskegon, Ludington, Grand Haven, and communities in Oceana, Ottawa, and Mason counties. Many families travel significant distances because the program offers both quality arts instruction and a safe, inclusive space.
“This is about creating confident, compassionate young people who feel safe to express themselves,” Davis-Dykema said.
Scenic Designer and Artistic Director for this year Amber Hellewell (left) and Sky Harsch (right) courtesy of The Playhouse at White Lake
Year-round opportunities and leadership
WLYT now offers programs from preschool age through high school, including the White Lake Youth Theatre Council for middle and high school students. Council members help shape programming, read plays, fundraise, plan events, and contribute to production decisions, giving students ownership of their arts education.
Winter and spring workshops focus on skills like music, dance, and creative drama in a low-stress environment. Saturday sessions allow students to practice and perform in just a few hours, lowering anxiety and building comfort with the instructors and space before moving into full productions.
Spring Break Musical Play Camp – Sleeping Beauty
This year, WLYT welcomes back the Missoula Children’s Theatre for a one-week Spring Musical Play Camp featuring Sleeping Beauty. Students ages 5 to 18 audition and rehearse alongside the professional MCT team, culminating in a public performance.
The camp combines storytelling, music, and theater skills, giving students the chance to perform onstage while learning about collaboration, stagecraft, and confidence. Partial scholarships and work-trade options make the program accessible to all.
Disney-themed workshops
WLYT’s winter Musical Theatre Dance workshops continue this spring with Disney-themed sessions like A Friend Like Me, blending singing, movement, and dance to give students a creative outlet while building foundational performance skills.
Images from Disney project workshops courtesy of The Playhouse at White Lake
Summer Musical Camp – Dare to Dream JR
The highlight of the year is the Summer Musical Camp, featuring Dare to Dream JR., a 60-minute Disney musical revue that explores creativity, teamwork, and inspiration through songs from Encanto, Coco, Frozen II, and The Princess and the Frog.
Students can also choose a technical theater track, learning sound and lighting, stagehand skills, costume, and makeup. Artistic direction, choreography, and musical instruction are led by the WLYT teaching team, giving students a full spectrum of arts experiences.
Why it matters to the community
White Lake Youth Theatre’s programming is more than entertainment. It is about creating a generation of confident, compassionate, and creative young people who feel valued and supported. Open workshops and performances invite community members to see the results and support young artists, ensuring the arts remain accessible and vibrant in the region.
“Supporting artists of all ages ensures that the arts will be available for you at all ages,” Davis-Dykema said.
In a world that can feel disconnected, WLYT is giving young people a space to grow, explore, and thrive—a place where confidence and compassion are just as important as the skills learned on stage.
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