Meet Kimberly Harrigan | Co-Owner, YADA – Youth Academy of Dramatic Arts

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kimberly Harrigan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kimberly, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
YADA® (Youth Academy of Dramatic Arts) has been positively impacting children and offering comprehensive theatrical training to youth across the globe! YADA offers a safe and exciting environment in which students can learn, grow, and enrich their lives while practicing the skills of theatrical performance. Kids of all ages and abilities have been encouraged to express themselves on the stage and off the stage. YADA’s motto is helping children find their voice and we meant this not only on the stage, but also in their daily lives as they go through life.

YADA has always been about creating and nourishing a supportive community of dreamers and doers.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
YADA provides musical theatre to kids for over 25 years. For the children, we offer spontaneity, enthusiastic imagination and fun ways to implement personal growth. For the parents, we offer a safe, encouraging, communicative environment for both parent and child. What makes YADA come alive is the unique element that each child brings to the theatre.

YADA was created by myself and Lani Shipman to encourage children to grow as people as well as performers. YADA instructors are trained and dedicated to providing each student with a sense of emotional maturity and self-confidence, while at the same time giving them a quality theatrical experience. Not only do YADA students learn techniques in dance, voice and acting, they learn the basic tools for life: respect for self and others, commitment to a goal & the courage to try their best. They learn not only to find love for theatre, but also to discover love for themselves.

In March, when our doors were shuttered due to COVID-19, we didn’t let the magic of theatre stop. We took all of that wonderful creativity and YADAVISION was born, online. We have seen the joy the YADA students have been having in zoom rehearsals – seeing their friends, laughing with their teachers, and getting a break from a very real-world situation that is happening all around them. This is a lot for our children, & it is YADA’s mission to always uplift and encourage our students. So, have no doubt that we will continue to bring the magic of YADA to kids and we will continue to bring that magic through our exciting new YADAVISION platform!

I think what I am most proud of is that we roll with tide everyday. We look at the situation at hand and then decide how best to maneuver through that situation. We don’t let obstacles or problems stop us, we keep going and reminding ourselves that the work we are doing is important.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Colorado is the most beautiful state and really provides something for everyone. I would probably spend a day on a bike ride outside of Golden and then stop in the city for a nice lunch. I would definitely would spend some time downtown at Union Station and go to see a show at the Buell Theatre. The downtown aquarium is fun for families and there are some awesome escape rooms for all ages. The Rocky mountains offer a plethora of things to do in all seasons, but especially in the Fall to see the leaves changes. Also, no trip to Denver would be complete without going to a concert at Red Rocks Amphitheatre. It is truly the most beautiful place to see a concert in the world.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My business partner and friend of over 30 years, Lani Shipman. We had a vision for YADA, took a leap of faith and made it happen! To my parents, Carole and Hagan, for always believing in me and never telling me my dreams were too big or unrealistic. And two GINORMOUS shoutouts to my daughter, Gailyn, who inspires me everyday with her creativity, love and humor and to my sensational husband, Rick, who supports me each and everyday with love, intelligence and insight. I honestly couldn’t do it without them.

Website: www.yada.org

Instagram: @yadarocksla

Twitter: @yadarocks1

Facebook: @yadarocks

Youtube: YADA KIDS https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCA4M4FNe4W_GW-uAxdUHghA/featured

Other: We are currently in the middle of a fundraiser to help #saveyada! We have been forced to have our studios and theatre closed since March 12th. Families, friends, graduates and celebrities are helping us keep our business going until the pandemic finally passes! https://fundly.com/saveyada-fundraiser-3

Image Credits
Elena Seyfar