Young Artists of America (YAA) is excited to announce their plans to open a state-of-the-art rehearsal facility in the heart of Rockville Pike in Rockville, Maryland. Through their Building Dreams Campaign, an $8 million fundraising initiative, they will ensure YAA remains accessible to students from all backgrounds and will establish the first Collaborative Performing Arts Hub in Montgomery County, MD, serving both YAA students as well as the broader local arts community.
YAA has identified 1626 East Jefferson Street in Rockville, Maryland as the future home for this new rehearsal facility. Located at Congressional Plaza, this prime space sits in the heart of Rockville Pike — a thriving hub of dining, retail, and entertainment. Within 25 minutes from downtown Washington, DC and adjacent to the new Twinbrook Quarter, it is easily accessible by Metro and offers ample free on-site parking, making it both convenient and centrally located, minutes from YAA’s home stage at Strathmore.
For nearly 15 years, YAA has fostered a nurturing and inclusive space for young artists to experiment, take risks, and imagine the world through their own unique artistry — all while delivering exceptional training and performances to the community. One in five of YAA students receive scholarships to ensure access for students from all backgrounds. They have been awarded a Regional Emmy Award, performed on world-class stages, hosted Tony-winning Broadway artists as guest mentors, and paved the careers for many budding industry performers who have gone on to Broadway and other professional stages. However, without a permanent rehearsal space, YAA has had to rely on a patchwork of short-term, borrowed locations. The organization also lacks a space large enough to accommodate full mainstage rehearsals — which compromises the efficiency, cohesion, and the collaborative experience that is central to their mission.
Renowned architecture firm Grimm + Parker has been hired to design an elevated space with specialty flooring and acoustic treatments that will enhance the quality of the student experience. In this space, YAA will be able to bring their entire artist community together under one roof for rehearsals for the first time in the organization’s history. This dedicated space will also create new opportunities to grow revenue by offering additional classes, hosting special events, and making the space available for rentals to the broader arts community.
Together with their committed Board of Directors, individuals from Broadway to Congress are taking a leadership role in this initiative. Honorary Co-Chairs include Stephen Schwartz, Jason Robert Brown, Andrew Lippa, Maryland’s former U.S. Representative Constance A. Morella, Montgomery County’s Former County Executive and First Lady Ike and Catherine Leggett, and many more.
On Sunday, February 22, 2026, Curtain Up!, an invite-only campaign launch event will host
– Maryland Senator Cheryl Kagan
– Montgomery County Councilmember Andrew Friedson
– Mayor of Rockville Monique Ashton
– Mayor of Gaithersburg Jud Ashman
YAA is halfway to reaching its fundraising goal, with over $4 million secured from generous contributions from private donors, the building’s landlord, and the State of Maryland.
For more information about this campaign, please visit this link: https://www.YAA.org/building-dreams
About YAA
YAA is a 501(c)3 nonprofit committed to reimagining the landscape of arts education by delivering transformative, innovative, and inclusive arts programming that propels students in their personal and artistic development, while bringing exceptional performances to the community. YAA’s vision is to help each student “Find their Voice” on the stage, and in life.
