About Us
Beginning in 2014 through the fall of 2020, these classes were held in the historic Marquis Theatre in Northville, Michigan. Shortly after the building was sold in early 2020, the world changed as well with the pandemic affecting all live performance venues. We held our classes virtually in 2020 through the spring of 2021. Happily, we were able to meet in person for our acting summer camp and all classes! Makeup application classes are currently not in session, but we hope to offer them again soon. We meet and hold class on the stage at the Northville Community Center!
What Parents Say
My Story
My name is Yasmine Jaffri, and many of my theatre kids call me "Ms. Yaz". I am a lifelong theatre person. I am an Actor and Performer, Screenwriter & Playwright, Filmmaker & Photographer, and most importantly, a Director and Teacher. I started performing on stage when I was 9 years old and quickly fell in love with the theatre. As a young performer myself, I was always looking for ways to study and learn more about acting, and my Mom and I looked throughout the Metro Detroit Area for ways for me to do that. Back in the day (as they say!) it wasn't easy to find acting classes for kids and teens. When I started teaching and directing at the Marquis, I was excited to be apart of a program that trained young actors, both with these classes and in our professional shows and summer camps. I have trained many young actors who now hold their own as theatre and film professionals, as well as many who carry the love of the theatre with them as adults. Theatre teaches confidence, it stretches our creative imagination, and it teaches us how to work as a team. These are qualities that can serve us in all areas of our life. I hope that these classes will be a way for kids to express their creativity and to continue to grow their love of theatre and find the joy and confidence that performing gives!
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About Ms. Yaz
Yasmine Jaffri was the Artistic Director and the main stage Director at the Marquis Theatre in Northville, Michigan for the past 11 years. During her time there, she directed a total of 41 main stage shows. In the summers, Yasmine taught Broadway, Star, and Ducky Camps at the Marquis as well as Creative Theatre for younger kids, Acting One & Two, as well and Theatrical Make-up application classes. She has written the scripts for nine of her main stage shows including TINKERBELL VISITS STORYLAND, THE HALLOWEEN SURPRISE, THE HALLOWEEN ZUPPA, THE SNOW QUEEN, RAPUNZEL, THE FROG PRINCE, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, HANSEL & GRETEL and SLEEPING BEAUTY. Yasmine has also taught acting and filmmaking to kids and teens throughout the Metro Detroit area. Yasmine returned to Michigan after spending nine years working in Los Angeles. While in Los Angeles, she worked in television and film production for such notable companies as The Walt Disney Company, Sony Picture Entertainment, and Mandalay Television. Yasmine has also written and directed a feature film and several short films, commercials, and music videos. Other directing credits include ANNE OF GREEN GABLES and ROMEO AND JULIET for the Warren Civic Theatre, as well as ELEEMOSYNARY for her alma mater, The Theatre Company at the University of Detroit. She holds a B.F.A. from the University of Detroit and an M.F.A. from Columbia University’s prestigious School of the Arts in Film Directing and Screenwriting. Yasmine is currently a member of the theatre faculty at St. Clair Community College where she has directed three show, I NEVER SAW ANOTHER BUTTERFLY, VINTAGE HITCHCOCK and SOMEBODY/NOBODY.
