ABOUT US
Inspiring Rhode Island youth through the arts since 1987
Our Mission
Provide opportunities for students to CREATE, PERFORM, and EXPERIENCE exceptional theatre.
Our Journey
Rhode Island Youth Theatre (RIYT) is a non-profit educational theatre company. It was known as Fantasy Works Youth Theater for the first 23 years of its history and emerged from the ideas presented in an original paper on talent development written by Ann O’Grady as she pursued her doctorate at the University of Connecticut. The paper was entitled “The Real Work of Fantasy,” and described a youth theatre company run by high school and college students who were considering careers in the arts.
In 1987 the wheels were set in motion, and Fantasy Works opened as a two-week summer camp run by student directors, working in collaboration with professional mentors. Over 300 shows and 20,000 students later, Rhode Island Youth Theatre has grown into the largest youth theater program in the state, producing a summer musical series, after-school programs, and original plays for educational venues, as well as training programs for students in partnership with Skills for RI.
RIYT graduates have gone on to work on Broadway, national tours, summer stock theaters, community theaters, and schools. Our alumni include professional directors and choreographers, casting agents, production managers, arts administrators, technicians, teachers, and supporters of the arts.
Our Values
We are an ensemble company where RESPECT, RESPONSIBILITY, and COLLABORATION are the values that guide us.
Board of Directors
Ariane Famiglietti
Board Chair of RIYT
Ariane is a proud alumnus of Rhode Island Youth Theatre & has served on RIYT’s Board of Directors in various capacities since 2013. She is a Sr. Recruiter with Lifespan, supporting behavioral health positions with Gateway Healthcare & The Autism Project. She also serves as the Industry Co-Chair for RIDE CTE programs in healthcare and serves on URI’s Center for Career & Experiential Education community partner board.
Melissa Shaw
Board Member
Melissa Shaw began her first ever theatre experience with RI Youth Theatre in the summer of 1989 where she starred as Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz at the age of 11! Melissa spent 8 seasons with RI Youth Theatre and enjoyed every minute of it, making lifelong friends and eternal memories! Melissa continued her music career into college and beyond, fronting several bands in NY, Boston, and RI. After graduating Boston University, Melissa moved to NY in pursuit of being a casting director where she fell into corporate recruiting, For the past 14 years, she has owned her own executive recruiting business, Shaw Search Partners, focusing on the placement of Marketing and Creative candidates for clients that range from startups to Fortune 5 corporations. Melissa and her husband reside in RI with their 2 boys, Jonathan and Hudson. She is beyond thrilled to join the RIYT Board of Directors to give back to the organization that gave so much to her!
Alicia Leite
Board Member
As a proud alum of Rhode Island Youth Theatre, I credit my formative experiences here for instilling in me a strong work ethic that propelled me to a successful career as a Senior Vice President of Sales Strategy, collaborating with corporate entities nationwide. Now, as an active board member, I am thrilled to give back to the organization that shaped me, ensuring that our creative legacy endures and providing a nurturing platform for youth to explore and thrive in the world of theater.
Jeanne Heston
Board Member
Jeanne has held roles in marketing, management, sales, technical support, and computer software design at technology, publishing, and renewable energy companies and taught marketing courses at the college level. She holds both a BS in Marketing Management and an MBA in International Business from Bentley University, as well as various certificates in renewable energy, design thinking, and marketing automation. She designed and managed the RIYT website from 2010 to 2022 and currently manages RIYT’s email campaigns as a volunteer.