Contact: Sabrina at sabrinanorwood@yagmemphis.com
About
In 1991, longtime Memphian and Hamiltonian Chrysti Chandler
founded Young Actors Guild. Over the past 35 years, she has
trained and developed over 43,000 youth in the performing arts.
YAG’s mission is to impact, engage, and inspire youth ages 3 – 17
in the ARTS by “Bringing the Arts back to the Community.”
Because of her passion for the children of Memphis, Chandler
has been recognized for her diligent service throughout the
Memphis community including Women’s Foundation, Tri-State
Defender, and Commercial Appeal’s “Top 10 people Who Make a
Difference in Memphis.”
Her organization, Young Actors Guild, had the distinct pleasure of
performing for Oprah Winfrey, former President Bill Clinton,
Maxine Water, and many others. YAG shares a rich history of
alumni like world renowned musician Charles Streeter who’s
played with Chaka Khan, J. Lo, and Prince, She’ Street who’s
danced with Missy Elliot, Diamonique Jackson who’s sang with
Yolanda Adams, Gedeon McKinney from American Idol, Alexis
Grace from American Idol, “Lil Buck” from So You Think You Can
Dance, Evvie McKinney – winner of The Four, and many alumni
have performed with Dance Theatre of Harlem, Alvin Ailey, and
Debbie Allen Dance Academy. However, she is most proud that
her organization celebrates a 98% graduation rate from college.
As YAG expands her vision of “Bringing the Arts back to the
Community”, the City of Memphis opened doors with the donation
of an old 4,000 sq. ft. firehouse in the heart of the Orange Mound/
Bethel Grove community in 2019. A community sharing a rich
history of heritage, and legacy being the oldest African American
community in the United States.
Continuing the legacy, she has opened the Harriet Performing
Arts Center (HPAC) in the Orange Mound community. HPAC is a
creative multi-purposed space to provide youth freedom through
the Arts to hone their natural talents in various areas of the Arts.
She is motivated to continue by the culture of Memphis, its’
extraordinary talent and the heartfelt testimonies of the children of
Memphis who come from different walks of life, different
neighborhoods, but share the same passion…the love for the
arts.
Program Overview
Young Actors Guild In-Schools program offers Five Star Arts programs that engage students in theatre, performing arts, and technical training. In addition, students receive training in team-building, character development, front-of-house operations, and backstage management.
