Staff & Leadership
Doug Neithercott
Interim Artistic Director
Doug is a graduate of the University of Minnesota with a BA in Theater Arts and has been performing locally, nationally, and internationally for the past 30+ years. He has performed with Theater in the Round, The Children’s Theater Company, Mystery Cafe, Brave New Workshop, and CSz Twin Cities home of ComedySportz where he also acted as Artistic Director from 2001 – 2021. Doug came to Youth Performance Company as a college student in 1995, making his YPC acting debut as Pecos Bill in Pecos Bill and Other Tall Tales. Since then, has added teacher, choreographer, director, and now Interim Artistic Director to his YPC resume. Doug is married, has two cats, and is a loud proud Disney Adult.
Sherilyn Howes
Managing Director
A dedicated and accomplished professional with a proven track record of leadership in nonprofit theatre operations, Sherilyn has been keeping Youth Performance Company on track since 1992. Her multifaceted skill set encompasses strategy development, program management, and community engagement, while also taking responsibility for the day-to-day management of Youth Performance Company. Sherilyn wears another hat with equal gusto – that of a mom to a vibrant and busy 9-year-old. Balancing the intricacies of nonprofit theatre operations and the boundless energy of her son, she embodies the spirit of an “all hands on deck” approach in both her professional and personal life.
Grace Whiting
Education & Outreach Coordinator
Grace Whiting is in her third year as the Education and Outreach Coordinator at YPC, but she has been a YPC kid since she was 13 years old! After performing, stage managing, and interning for YPC for over a decade, Grace loves working for the company she grew up at and has had so much fun creating a space for new generations of students to have the same experiences she did. Grace oversees all educational staff including teachers and interns, and plans and facilitates all educational programming throughout the summer and school year.
BOARD of DIRECTORS
Young Artist's Council
The Young Artists Council (YAC) is a leadership board of teens who are dedicated to the advancement of young artists in our community.
As creative leaders under the age of 21, they are an advisory force for YPC. The council meets monthly and works on a variety of projects in support of Youth Performance Company. They also organize their own shows, which are directed, created, and produced by artists 21 or younger.
Throughout the year YAC also hosts a variety of social activities. From hayrides to holiday parties.
The council members serve a one year term. Each young artist that serves on the leadership council makes a huge commitment of time and service. Each member will dedicate between 10-20 hours a month attending meetings, facilitating projects and doing community service.
Milo Larsen, Co-President
Harriet Spencer, Co-President
Spike McIlrath, Secretary
Solvei Hallstrom, Treasurer
Madelyn Davis
Sam Hierlinger
Aasia Lang
Lily Larson
Mars Niemi
Clara Nerbonne
Ruby Paulson
Jacie Knight
Founder
Jacie Knight, the Founding Artistic Director has been known for her commitment to developing extraordinary artists and exceptional leaders from the young people of the Twin Cities community while providing the highest-quality theatre experiences for families for YPC’s first 33 years. She directed and produced more than 50 main stage productions and wrote 13 plays for YPC.
Other theatre organizations Jacie has worked with as a freelance director and arts educator include History Theatre, Steppingstone Theatre for Youth Development, Child’s Play Theatre (now Stages), Children’s Theatre Company, Climb Theatre, and Chanhassen Dinner Theatre. Jacie has been a fellow with the James P. Shannon Leadership Institute and received her BA in Theatre from Augsburg College. Jacie is enjoying her retirement.
