Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit offers hundreds of youth from more than 50 metro Detroit schools the opportunity to participate in acting, singing, and stage technician programs that provide expert training and mentoring. The organization works to help its participants develop patterns of cooperation, disciplined work habits, and problem-solving skills through theater and music performances that are open to the public. Students can start the program at age 7, and there are opportunities for participation through age 18 as well as a program that includes Mosaic alumni. Mosaic’s Back Stage program is a technical theater paid apprenticeship. Mosaic young artists and staff are available to perform and present for local organizations as well as at major sporting events and as opening acts for national artists. Each year, it offers three major productions at the Detroit Institute of Arts, as well as community performances throughout metro Detroit. Mosaic was founded in 1992 by Rick Sperling, professional actor and director, who saw that budget cuts forced most Detroit schools to eliminate arts programs. Mosaic alumni have garnered Tony, Emmy, and Grammy awards and, while Mosaic students are disproportionately minority and from low-income families, more than 95 percent of alumni are admitted to college. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Mosaic has transitioned all of its in-person programming to a virtual format.
