History of Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit
2005 – 2006
Mosaic is featured on NBC’s Today Show, which sparks interest in bringing Mosaic’s nationally recognized training model to other states to benefit youth around the country. The Intermediate Training Program is founded, serving an additional 65
youth. Mosaic’s first summer musical at the DIA, Purlie, opens and receives standing ovations at each performance. Mosaic’s Education Department expands to provide performing arts training classes at University Preparatory Academy and Remus Robinson,
beginning performing arts training classes at YouthVille Detroit; summer programs at WCCCD Downriver, Grosse Pointe and Mosaic Summer Camp which teaches acting, singing and dance to 6-10 year olds. Mosaic is now serving over 750 area youth each year. Mosaic
receives national recognition for artistic achievement as they are honored with the prestigious MAP Award.
2004 - 2005
The ensemble collaborates with Motown legends to create Now That I Can Dance - Motown 1962 and performs to sold out houses at the Detroit Film Theatre in the Detroit Institute of Arts. Magnificat, the annual singer’s concert premieres at
the Max M. Fisher Music Center. NPR highlights Mosaic nationally on All Things Considered. New outreach classes are developed, including one geared toward Detroit’s Latino community. Mosaic’s following, its budget and its full-time staff continue
to grow.
2003
Mosaic has ten full-time staff members, including Rick Sperling, who is now Executive Director, Kenneth Anderson, Artistic Director and for the first time, a full-time Technical Director. The Singers perform in Dakar, Senegal and the Acting Company performs
Tesserae, its first one-act play festival. Mosaic’s budget has grown to $950,000. Mosaic also has a brand new home, General Motors Mosaic Theatre, at University Preparatory High School.
2002
Mosaic celebrates its ten-year anniversary! The Singers produce their 3rd CD, launch their first bus tour and open for Al Green and The Temptations. More than $80,000 in scholarships are offered and Mosaic enjoys unprecedented success with its fundraiser
at The Somerset Collection’s Neiman Marcus.
2001
Mosaic Singers produce their second CD and open for folk singer, Pete Seeger. The Next Stage Company is comprised entirely of ensemble members and 2001 Hastings Street is created in collaboration with U of M to celebrate Detroit’s 300th anniversary.
Music Hall and the Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre provide a professional venue for the show and Lasalle-SIA invites Mosaic to perform Medea in Singapore.
2000
Mosaic Singers perform the national anthem at both the final opening day and the final game held at Tiger Stadium, host their first major concert at Wayne State and produce their first CD. Mosaic is selected to represent the U.S. at the 2000 World Festival
of Youth Theatre in London and receives the “Coming Up Taller”
award at a White House ceremony. Northwest Airlines sponsors The National Touring Company’s widespread tour of Everybody’s Talkin’.
1999
Much ado about Everybody’s Talkin’ leads to performances at Detroit’s famous Music Hall and the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Mosaic receives the Governor’s Arts Award and performs for President Clinton.
1998
The National Touring Company is born. Mosaic does HeartBEAT, inspired by an ancient Greek play. The singers open for Aretha Franklin at the Fox Theatre and complete their first recording, A Change is Gonna Come.
1997
The ensemble grows to 80 members. What Fools is revived and tours schools. Mosaic’s singers begin performing as a concert choir and are invited to Miami for the national conference of the American Council for Education.
1996
Satire Crossing 8 Mile earns Mosaic Detroit Monthly’s “Best of Detroit” award and attracts sold-out audiences in Ann Arbor. Mosaic is selected to represent the U.S. at the World Festival of Children’s Theatre in Copenhagen,
Denmark. Mosaic alum Kenneth Anderson becomes Mosaic’s first full-time Music Director.
1995
Mosaic moves to Historic Fort Wayne, hires a full-time managing director, and plays the Performance Network for the first time. Mosaic Singers become independent of the actors.
1994
The Youth Ensemble expands, adding the Technical Crew. More challenging material is tackled in What Fools These Mortals Be, decidedly an artistic breakthrough. Mosaic tours for the first time in Chicago, and is praised by the Detroit News.
1993
Mosaic becomes independent of the Attic Theatre and produces its first original play, Fittin’ In. The theatre finds its first home and develops its mission to empower and feature youth exclusively.
1992
Mosaic is founded by Rick Sperling. The season opens with the 70’s Broadway musical Runaways, a co-production with the Attic Theatre. |
