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Harlequin Productions is known for The Shakespeare Experience, an acting program that immerses teens in the rigors of Shakespearian productions. Harlequin ran The Shakespeare Experience for seven years and now it's time for something new to shake things up - the Conservatory for Young Actors (CYA) debuts in summer 2013.

CYA is all about the arts, all the time. Students ages 12 to 19 are admitted to the six-week, intensive program by a formal audition process. Once they're in, they'll participate in six core elements of the program each day - voice and diction, movement, improvisation, acting and rehearsal. The program will bring in guest instructions twice a week to offer a bit of bonus material, including yoga, costuming, dance and set design.

"One of the most effective ways to engage a learner is through their interests," says Anna Sutton, communications manager at Harlequin Productions. "The Conservatory for Young Actors is the perfect platform for kids with a passion for theater to develop universally valuable skills in the richest, most conducive environment possible."

Most amazing of all, CYA is offered free to the students. Free! Harlequin strives to keep its youth programs free and does so by partnership with community donors, private sponsors and fundraisers. The theater company will kick off a 30-day Kickstarter campaign on April 1 with the goal of raising $4,000.

"There is nothing like the Conservatory for Young Actors in the region," says Sutton. "In the current economic climate, arts programs are often the first to be cut from schools and summer programs, not the first to be offered to the community for free."

Auditions for CYA started on March 23 and will continue through May 18. Classes go from June 24-July 31, with a final performance on July 31. CYA will take place at State Theater in downtown Olympia.

For more information on the CYA program, click here or call 360.786.0151.