Rick Sperling, founder and CEO of Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit.

Meet Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit

By Donald V. Calamia

What is your theater's mission statement?

Committed to youth development through the arts, Mosaic's mission is to empower young people to maximize their potential through professional performing arts training and the creation of first-rate theatrical & musical art.

This vision can be stated simply: Excellence in Art transforms lives; Empowered young people create artistic excellence.

What are your theater's short-term goals and objectives - such as for the current season?

1. PERFORMING ARTS TRAINING: Mosaic Main Stage Training Program (ages 11-18) is Mosaic's core program, providing nine months of free, intensive education and training in acting and vocal music to young artists, selected by audition.

Mosaic First Stage Programs (ages 7-18) provide entry-level performing arts training to area youth, in collaboration with community partners within low income and underserved neighborhoods throughout Metro Detroit.

2. PUBLIC PERFORMANCES: Mosaic's critically acclaimed local performances and tours promote a positive image of metro Detroit youth.

3. COLLEGE & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: Young artists participate in the Unified Auditions and a regional College Tour, where they audition for placement and scholarships, attend master classes and network.

4.YOUTH SUPPORT: Acts as a liaison between teen participants, educators and parents to help our young artists to thrive within Mosaic and in school.

What are your theater's long-term goals and objectives?

• ART: To provide advanced training opportunities for young people in the arts, and first-rate theatrical and concert performances relevant to our community;
• YOUTH DEVELOPMENT: To provide youth opportunities to develop the skills needed to achieve personal and professional success;
• ACCESS: To break through patterns of racial and economic segregation attracting youth and families from ALL backgrounds;
• DIVERSITY: To expose underserved and minority populations in metropolitan Detroit to the arts; and
• SUSTAINABILITY: To insure the facilities, financial, and human resources necessary to carry out Mosaic's mission.

The University of Michigan created a study of Mosaic's youth development impact. The publication, Excellence on Stage and in Life: The Mosaic Model for Youth Development through the Arts, can be downloaded at www.mosaicdetroit.org/about-model.htm.

What makes your theater different from any of the others in Michigan? What is it about you that is unique?

Mosaic is developing a new audience for theater. Through its programs, Mosaic removes barriers - physical, economic, and perceptual - in order to serve young artists and audiences with no access to the arts opportunities they seek. Young, urban audiences are hungry to see artists on stage who look like themselves. Mosaic encourages everyone in our diverse metropolitan area to get involved, whether as participants or audiences. It challenges the perception that theater is only for the elite, wealthy, and white - and advances the idea that African-American, Latino, Arab-American and other minority youth are welcome in the theater.

When young people and families are able to participate in performing arts activities in their own neighborhoods; when the instructors speak their own language; and the work created reflects their own culture and life experience, they feel at home in the theater and experience the transformative power of the arts on their lives and on their community.

What is your programming philosophy? What type(s) of shows does your theater produce on its main stage - and why?

Mosaic wants to surpass what society thinks teenagers are capable of accomplishing. If the audience sees a bunch of talented teens on stage, then we have failed in our pursuit. They were talented before they ever joined Mosaic. Our goal is nothing less than blowing away the audience's expectations, inspiring them to believe in the unlimited potential of all young people.

Mosaic's artistic vision is defined by the following: Young people's art should not be merely an imitation of art by adults, but young people can create art that uniquely expresses the magic of youth.

Our work tells stories of young people that young performers are uniquely suited to tell: stories of African-American and immigrant youth in Detroit's Black Bottom Neighborhood; stories of the young people in the Fisk Jubilee Singers who bravely toured the country just a few years after the end of slavery; stories of the teenage members of the Marvelettes and the other early Motown acts who changed the music world.

What other types of programming, if any, does your theater offer - such as theater for young audiences, educational outreach, etc.?

Each year, the Mosaic Singers present 20-25 public performances (local), 40-60 small group touring performances (local and national) and an additional 40 free community performances.

Members of the Mosaic Singers study and perform diverse musical forms including jazz, gospel and spiritual works, world music and classical choral pieces and work. They've performed at major local events (the final game at Tiger Stadium, mayoral and gubernatorial inauguration ceremonies, Super Bowl XL festivities, in over 25 states, at the White House and the Kennedy Center. Mosaic's young artists have represented the U.S. at the World Festival of Children's Theatre in Copenhagen, Denmark; performed at the Millennium Dome in London, England; and participated in a cultural exchange in Dakar, Senegal. The Mosaic Singers have opened for major concert acts including Al Green, Sweet Honey in the Rock, Pete Seeger, The Temptations and Maya Angelou.

Why should Mosaic be considered a "professional" theater?

The Mosaic Model stresses the importance of professionalism. When Mosaic alumni were asked to rank the impact of Mosaic's different areas of focus, "developing standards of professionalism" was ranked second, behind only "achieving artistic excellence."

Going beyond the definition of a professional being "one who earns a living in a given or implied occupation," Mosaic defines professionalism as an ideal combination of exemplary conduct, accountability and technical mastery. It is an ideal that can never be fully attained, but a target that the young artists are always pointed towards.

Does your theater offer any classes or workshops - either to the general public or to industry professionals? If so, what are they?

In addition to Mosaic's Main Stage and First Stage training programs, Mosaic currently offers community workshops on Theatre Techniques for the Classroom for adults working with youth in schools, community centers or youth programs. We also offer a workshop for young people called An Introduction to the Mosaic Experience. This workshop is perfect for schools, community centers, after-school and summer programs looking to give youth in their program minimal exposure to Mosaic performing arts training.

Is your theater an Equity (union) company?

No, but we do sometimes contract Equity members.

What is the philosophy you use to cast your shows? From what talent pool(s) do you draw from?

Mosaic stresses to the young artists that they are only judged based on three things: 1) their skill-level - a subjective judgment by their director; 2) how hard they work; and 3) how well they treat other people. Beyond those three things, the young artist will not be judged by race, religion, ethnicity, socio-economic status, or sexual orientation. They will also not be judged based on size, age, disability, fashion, political ideas, etc.

This commitment to non-judgmental acceptance is not easy. Directors and instructors have to commit to check at the door any personal prejudices that they carry with them. Common prejudices such as leading ladies should always be thin, and only boys should move heavy scenery.

How does an actor go about arranging an audition?

Mosaic holds auditions for 11-18 year-olds in September to select its Main Stage youth ensemble company for the entire year. Individual shows are cast from within that company. Mosaic also employs more than 25 Michigan professional artists annually.

Resumes can be sent to Mosaic co-artistic director Kate Peckham at katep@mosaicdetroit.org

Does your theater offer an apprenticeship or internship program? And if so, what is the criteria - and how does someone apply for such a position?

Mosaic works with adult Americorps volunteers, and also offers paid internships to young artists.

Does your theater accept new play submissions? If so, how does a playwright go about submitting a script for your consideration?

Yes. Mosaic often works with local playwrights in the creation of original work. Script ideas/synopsis should be sent to Kate Peckham, Mosaic's co-artistic director and director of acting programs at kate@mosaicdetroit.org.

What else should we know about your theater, the current season, etc.?

• Woodward Wonderland: A Detroit Holiday Celebration: Dec. 11, 12 and 13
• Singsation: Feb. 13 and 14, 2010
• The Gospel at Colonus: May 14, 15 and 16; May 21, 22 and 23, 2010

THEATER ESSENTIALS:

Theater name: Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit

Business address (including zip code): 610 Antoinette, Detroit, MI 48202

Performance address (including zip code): 5200 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI, 48202

Web address: www.mosaicdetroit.org

Facebook fan page: www.facebook.com/pages/Detroit-MI/Mosaic-Youth-Theatre-of-Detroit/7111130965?ref=mf

Twitter name: https://twitter.com/MosaicDetroit

Business & box office phone (including area code): 313-872-6910

Business office hours of operation: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Box office hours of operation: Tuesday and Thursday 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. Additional hours available by calling 313-872-6910 ext. 4021

In what year was your theater established: 1992

Company's founders: Rick Sperling

Current leaders or management team: Rick Sperling, founder and CEO; Sam Pollak, managing director; Megan Miller, director of programs; Ann Serra, marketing and development director; DeLashea Middleton, co-artistic director and director of music programs; Kate Peckham, co-artistic director and director of acting programs.

Is your theater a non-profit, tax-exempt organization? Yes

Is your theater wheelchair accessible? Yes

During which months of the year does your season run? October-May

How many main stage productions do you offer each season? 3

How many seats does your theater have? The Detroit Film Theatre has 1,100 seats.

TICKET INFORMATION:

What type(s) of seating is offered to your patrons (ex: general admission, reserved, etc)? General admission.

In general, what is the price range for your non-discounted main stage tickets (exclusive of service charges and other fees)? $20.

Are there service charges or other fees added to the  price of the tickets? And if so, what are those charges and fees? There is an online service fee when purchasing tickets from the DIA's Web site or Mosaic's Web site.

Do you offer subscriptions to your main stage season? Not at this time.

Do you offer discounts to senior citizens (and if so, what are the details)? Yes. Seniors can purchase tickets for $12 to Mosaic Main Stage performances.

Do you offer discounts to students (and if so, what are the details)? Yes. Students can purchase tickets for $12 to Mosaic Main Stage performances.

Do you offer group discounts (and if so, what are the details)? Yes. Tickets are $10 for groups of 10 or more. Group tickets can be purchased by calling 313-872-6910 ext. 4021.

For ticket purchases, does your theater accept personal checks? Yes.

For ticket purchases, does your theater accept credit or debit cards? Yes.

Can tickets to your shows be purchased online - and if so, how? Yes. www.mosaicdetroit.org.

ABOUT RICK SPERLING:

Rick Sperling is an award-winning actor, director and playwright with over 25 years of experience in the dramatic arts, and developing educational theater programs for young people. Following his graduation from Oberlin College, Rick worked with Brazilian dramatist August Boal, Master Mime Tony Montanaro and British drama educator Cecily O'Neill. Prior to founding Mosaic, Rick worked as assistant director and consultant for the Tony Award-winning San Francisco Mime Troupe and was the director of education and outreach at Detroit's Attic Theatre. Rick founded Mosaic in 1992 with a loan of $10,000, a staff comprised of volunteers, and only 25 youth participants. Mosaic has since grown into an organization with more than 20 full-time staff that serves hundreds of youth annually.

At the age of 38, Rick became the youngest person ever to receive the Detroit Free Press' Lee Hills Award for Lifetime Achievement in Theatre. Rick has also been recognized by Crain's Detroit Business as one of Detroit's 40 under 40. Wayne County Council for Arts, History and Humanities recognized Rick for his Outstanding Contribution to the Arts. Rick is a graduate of Leadership Detroit, and has been featured nationally as a workshop presenter and consultant for the National Council of Foundations, the Blank Family Foundation, the San Francisco Mime Troupe, the International Museum Theatre Association, and Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs.

Rick has acted in more than 50 productions, directed 25 plays, and has written some of Mosaic's most memorable pieces, including 2001: Hastings Street, Now That I Can Dance – Motown 1962, What Fools These Mortals Be! and Crossing 8 Mile.

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