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Grades K-6
The Youth After School (YAS!) program is for students currently in kindergarten through sixth grade.
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Performing & Visual Arts Training
YAS! offers an incredible daily program led by passionate teaching artists—and your tuition also includes access to optional enrichment classes, or “electives,” from DMR Adventures at no extra cost!
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Financial Aid/Scholarships
Immediate scholarship options are available for all families as well as the option to apply for a scholarship.
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Transportation
Transportation is available for an additional fee for the following schools: Sunrise, Jackson-Via, Tall Oaks, Trailblazer, Summit, Mt. View, Charlottesville Middle, Village School, and ONCDC. We are considering transportation from STAB.
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Schedule Options
You may choose the discounted Full Time option (5 days a week) or register for one or more days for the year.
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Apply Now!
Registration starts in April 2026 for the 2026-27 Academic School Year. Applications are now open.
DMR Youth After School
YAS! Faculty and Staff
Joe Vena
YAS! Coordinator / YAS! Teaching Artist
Joe Vena holds a BFA in acting from University of the Arts, in Philadelphia. Upon graduation in 1999, he moved to New York City, made theatre with friends and took on a role as teaching artist at Children’s Museum of the Arts. There he developed and directed the CMA Media Lab, leading a staff of 15 teaching artists
Read more about Joe
Mark Williams
YAS! Acting Teacher/ Adventure Director
Mark grew up in Charlottesville and was often seen starring onstage in every musical at CHS. He has been involved in DMR since 2018, when he assisted with our first Beauty and the Beast production. He is a vocalist for the band ‘Viberiot’ and recently worked as an outreach teaching artist with The Front Porch. You may have seen him bringing down the house in our recent Broadway and Beyond!
Molly Bettiga
YAS! Assistant Team Manager
Molly Bettiga is an East Coast / West Coast nomad whose love of theater began as early as grade school, when she had a part in Really Rosie. In middle school, she participated in, and excelled at, speech and drama festivals. Molly holds a bachelor of arts in media studies from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, specializing in journalism.
Read more about Molly
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Sarah Lindsay Merriman
Teaching Artist/Choreographer/YAS! Driver
Thrilled to be back in Charlottesville, Sarah Lindsay Merriman is a 2025 graduate of Radford University as a double major in Music and Theatre Performance! She is a DMR alum having performed in shows and participated in the YLP program.
Read more about Sarah Lindsay
Chloe Anderson
Teaching Artist/Music Director
Chloe Anderson is a recent graduate from The Conservatory for the Performing Arts at Stephens College with a BFA in Musical Theatre. She also attended the CCM Vocal Pedagogy Institute at Shenandoah University in 2025. She has worked regionally as an actor and singer, and is excited to work with DMR and Venture Stage Company.
Chloe Rogers
Office Manager
Chloe Rogers is a recent graduate of the University of Virginia with a BA in Drama. She is a Charlottesville native who has performed in local, university, and regional theatre and film.
Read more about Chloe
Claire Chandler
YAS! Teaching Artist
Claire Chandler is an educator and artist based in Charlottesville, VA. She has worked onstage and off at many local theaters and has degrees in both fine arts and education. As a longtime theater teaching artist, Claire has taught many different classes, camps, workshops, and has directed multiple youth shows.
Read more about Claire
August Applewhite
YAS! Teaching Artist
A versatile and accomplished scenic painter, scenic and costume designer, freelance artist, and photographer: August brings a unique blend of creativity and expertise to every project. Hailing from the picturesque landscapes of the Rural Midwest, August's passion for art and design has been nurtured and honed throughout their journey.
Read more about August
Izaiah Richardson
YAS! Assistant/Driver
Izaiah joined DMR after many of his siblings chose it as second home. He loves greeting our students every day and can frequently be seen supporting our teachers or aiding students during transitions.
Chris Morley
YAS! Teaching Artist
Chris' bio is coming soon, but the YAS! kids will tell you how creative and fun he is! Chris has spearheaded one of our most beloved YAS! classes...juggling! He's also the creator of the all new YAScast! The World's Best Podcast!
Julie Minor
Teaching Assistant/Office Assistant
Julie Minor started performing musical theatre in the summer of 2024 and has been performing non-stop since then. She has always been devoted to learning and helping others with musical theatre both on and off stage. She also has a history in daycare work. Her favorite part of assisting is getting to help...
Read more about Julie
Cooper Charles
YAS! Assistant
Cooper has been an assistant on the YAS! team for several years, and loves working with the YAS! students and supporting the teaching artists. Cooper has studied acting with DMR, PVCC, Catapult and Norwalk Conservatory. He just committed Shenandoah University where he will join the BFA Acting program at Shenandoah Conservatory.
Lee Stanley
YAS! Driver/Stage Manager
Lee Stanley is a recent graduate of Sweet Briar College with a BA in Performing Arts: Theatre, specifically with a focus in technical theatre and stage management. They are new to the DMR team and recently stage managed Elf Jr! Lee has also worked as a stage manager at Stagedoor Manor. Their favorite shows they have worked on include Natasha, Pierre, and The Great Comet of 1812, The Tempest, Dogfight, etc.
Karen Schlicht
Office Manager/Costume Designer/YAS! Driver
Karen Schlicht started out costuming her daughter when she was younger and then helping out other moms. She loved it so much that she had to teach herself how to use a sewing machine. Her favorite part about costume design is trying to create that little extra special for each child.
Read more about Karen
Melissa Charles
Producing Artistic Director
Melissa Charles is the Founder and Producing Artistic Director of DMR Adventures. She is a professional actor, director, choreographer, and educator, and has produced, directed and choreographed over 100 productions. A member of the Actors Equity Association (AEA) and SAG-AFTRA, she has worked as an actor in theatre, film, and television in NYC, LA and in regional theaters throughout the country.
Read more about Melissa
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Katie Wall
Associate Artistic Director
Katie Wall is a recent graduate of the Viterbo University BFA Music Theatre program with a minor in Dance. She is a DMR alum, having performed in shows here as well as an alum of the YLP program.
Read more about Katie
Matt Charles
YAS! Driver/DMR Consultant
Matt does a variety of jobs for DMR, but is most known in YAS! as a bus driver. Matt also holds a doctorate in Public Administration, and is a member of SAG-AFTRA with many years of experience acting on camera. He is also a media and communications expert with a resume too long for this page.
Read more about Matt