Our Story
The story of Maryville Young Performers (MYP) began in 2007 with a simple conversation. Pat Immel, Associate Professor of Theatre at Northwest Missouri State University, and Vanessa Parsons, Vocal Music Director at Maryville High School, were discussing the lack of summer arts programs for their school-aged children. Like many rural Missouri communities, Maryville offered plenty of athletic opportunities during the summer break, but few outlets for young people interested in the performing arts. Recognizing the crucial role the arts play in student development, and wanting to prevent the summer slide in arts education, Pat and Vanessa envisioned a cross-curricular summer day camp. Their vision: a three-week day camp each summer where students could produce and perform a full-scale Broadway musical in just 24 rehearsal hours.​
By 2011, MYP's popularity had soared, necessitating a second cast. This expansion doubled the number of speaking roles and performances, allowing even more students to participate.​
​
The program continued to flourish, and in 2017, MYP: Second Stage was born with a production of Hello Dolly. This initiative provides a classic community theater experience, welcoming MYP alumni, community members, and musical theater enthusiasts of all ages to share the stage.​
​
In 2019, Pat Immel retired, passing the technical director baton to Tye Parsons, Vanessa's husband. That same year, MYP found its new home at the Lee and Nina Schneider Center for the Performing Arts at Maryville High School, where it continues to thrive.​
​
From its humble beginnings in 2007, with a small volunteer staff, a modest budget, and a production of The Princess and the Pea featuring 40 students in grades two through nine performing for an audience of 600, MYP has grown exponentially. Through the years, countless shows, and immeasurable joy, the camp's reach and impact have expanded dramatically, touching the lives of countless young performers.
Our Mission
MYP passionately believes in the transformative power of the arts in young people's lives. The arts foster essential life skills, including public speaking, critical thinking, teamwork, communication, artistic expression, self-discipline, movement, and many more—all crucial for future success. Extensive research demonstrates that students engaged in arts-integrated curricula perform better in math, reasoning, and logic, and consistently score higher on college entrance exams. Beyond the data, MYP recognizes every student's innate desire to belong and excel. While not every student is drawn to or excels in traditional sports, MYP offers a vital creative outlet for those seeking to explore and experience the arts during the summer months. It provides a welcoming community where students can discover their talents and passions.
​
One of MYP's distinctive features is its condensed rehearsal schedule. Students rehearse for just two weeks before their performance, with lead roles getting an extra week of preparation. This streamlined approach offers several advantages. By not consuming a large portion of the summer, it allows more students to participate. The shorter timeline also makes it easier to recruit and retain our valuable volunteer staff.
Our Team
The dedicated MYP Board of Directors—Vanessa Parsons (Director), Tye Parsons (Technical Director), Jill Baker, and Erica Wheeler—provides invaluable leadership and guidance, but MYP simply couldn't function without the heart and soul of its volunteer network. From MYP alumni eager to give back to the program that shaped them, to supportive parents of campers, and enthusiastic community members, these individuals contribute countless hours of their time and talents. Whether it's helping with costumes, set design, choreography, snack time, or backstage supervision, these volunteers are the backbone of MYP, ensuring that every production is a resounding success. Their passion and commitment are essential to bringing the magic of musical theater to life for young performers each summer.
