Thursday August 6, 2026
7:00pm
A cast of young artists between ages 18-23 are selected from hundreds of applicants from all across the country. They have just 14 days to create an original, riveting, cross-disciplinary performance that is the exciting culmination of an intense process for the performers, giving audiences the rare opportunity to not only see a fantastic collection of entertainment, but also to get a firsthand glimpse of some of the brightest stars of tomorrow.
They meet for the first time, 2 weeks prior to showtime. They must use every hour of the process to create something audiences will never forget.
Mya Alvarado is an actor, dancer, and choreographer from Southern California. She recently graduated from Cal Poly Pomona where she studied Theatre w/ an acting emphasis. Mya Alvarado coaches colorguard & dance at Jurupa Hills High School and at middle schools in Orange County. Her favorite roles include Medea in Mojada: A Medea in Los Angeles, #7 in The Wolves, and Emma in Stupid F*cking Bird. She is so excited to be involved with the Young Artist Project and thanks her friends and family for the love and support.
Cadence Barnett is a vocalist, pianist, and songwriter with a deep-rooted love for storytelling in all forms of media. She recently graduated from California Baptist University with a degree in Songwriting and currently teaches private music lessons. She also has built her own artist discography over the past four years, her most recent release being an EP titled The Bright Side of Bad Habits. She was drawn to the Young Artist Project because of its opportunity to create not just music, but a greater story and production that is beyond what she is capable of alone. Outside of music, she loves staying active, watching movies (and videos analyzing those movies), and trying any new small DIY project that catches her eye.
Camille Dawn Beeson is a Concordia University Irvine graduate {Theatre (acting, directing) & English Major} from the mountains of Tucson Arizona. Selected credits: The Addams Family (Alice): Saguaro City Music Theatre. Diary of Anne Frank (Anne Frank), Emma (Emma), Midsummer’s Night Dream (Helena), The Trojan Women (Cassandra), Animal Farm (Squealer): CUI. Cyrano De Bergerac (Roxane), Hiding Place (Betsie TenBoom): BOW Company. Camille is the recipient of ACTF’s Excellence in TYA Award, and was nationally recognized for her performance in Girls Like That. Camille believes that storytelling is the greatest tool to cultivate empathy, and strives to tell stories that point to the Great story. In the wild you will find Camille princessing at birthdays, thrifting, hiking, or freestyle dancing in a Trader Joe’s. She is honored to be apart of YAP, and thanks God, Anthony, her family, and Concordia for encouraging her to boldly take risks from their foundation of love. Isaiah 55.
Aisling de Villa believes the best storytelling begins the same way it did when she was a kid: with curiosity. She loves creating weird art with deeply curious and ambitious people who ask, “What if?”. She is beyond excited to be part of this year’s Young Artist Project. She is an actor, writer, storyteller, and arts advocate currently pursuing her BFA in Acting at Pace University. She recently made her directorial debut with a one act play she wrote. This summer, she had the opportunity to teach English through theatre in Zanzibar, Tanzania with Global Empowerment Theatre. This experience, among others, reaffirmed her belief that storytelling has the power to connect people from across the globe. She hopes to spend the rest of her life creating stories with curious people.
Via Forman is an LA based performer & educator. She is so thankful to have a place on stage and the ability to share her talents and passion! Via would like to thank all who have supported her throughout her artistic career! Recent performance credits include; Phantom Projects’ James and The Giant Peach as Spider, YLS Players’ She Loves Me as Amalia Understudy/Ensemble, Cypress College’s Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812 as Princess Mary Bolkonsky. A Special thank you to all of her students <3
Aerowyn Jones has always loved to perform. Favorite credits include: Hero Child (The Polar Express Train Ride) and “Squeaky” Fromme (Assassins). She currently tours the U.S. as a member of the LA Dance Magic Senior Company and a member of The All-star Project (T.A.P.) Company in addition to continuing to dance competitively with her home studio. Aerowyn completed both high school and her AA degree in Theatre Arts at Santa Ana College in June and is excited to be starting her BFA in Musical Theatre at CSU Fullerton in the fall! She is excited for this opportunity!
Kaylin Kenders is an actor, writer, and director with a BA in Theatre from Biola University. Her onstage work includes productions of No Exit (Estelle), Antigone Now (Antigone), and The Taming of the Shrew (Bianca). Her onscreen work includes several shorts, a feature, and a pilot. She was also selected by her university to write and direct an original full-length farce called “They’re Getting Married Again?”. She is excited for all the ways this project will challenge her as an artist!
Hannah Kobayashi is thrilled to be a part of this year’s Young Artist Project! Originally from Hermosa Beach, CA, Hannah is a recent Syracuse University Alumni, where she received her BFA in musical theatre (Go orange!). Previous Credits include: Liesl (Sound of Music), Ariel (The Little Mermaid), & Courtney/Dani (Jagged Little Pill). She would like to thank her family and friends for their immense and unwavering love and support.
Emily Loaiza is a Costa Rican actress based in Los Angeles. Her acting journey began in 2021 in Costa Rica, where she discovered her passion for the craft. She is an alumni of the AOS program at the Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute, where she continued to expand her range and deepen her artistic voice. Whether on stage or in front of the camera, Emily is drawn to character-driven stories, human connection, and the quiet moments that reveal who we truly are. She strives to bring truth, emotional depth, and professionalism to every role, creating authentic performances that leave a lasting connection.
Eliseo Francisco Payan is 22 years old and is a recent graduate at Cal State Long Beach for theatre performing art. Some of Eliseo’s past credits are Patrick in SpongeBob the musical and Mitch Mahoney in the 25th annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. He’s extremely excited to be a part of YAP this year and hopes audiences enjoy the show him and his fellow cast mates put on.
Ian Pirotto is an actor, playwright, musician, and artist from Torrance, California. They are currently studying theater, with an emphasis on musical theater performance, at UCLA’s School of Theater, Film, and Television. Ian is passionate about theatrical works both very old and very new: when they aren’t reciting Shakespeare or writing plays informed by a love for heightened text and a fascination with making old stories seem new, Ian is performing in new work productions ranging from world premiere operas to gay puppet shows to wild-west horror plays. Additionally, as the Co-Literary Manager of Untitled Theater Company at UCLA, Ian manages the only Playwriting Circle on campus that supports the creation and development of new student-written plays and musicals. They were a finalist in the Foundation for New American Musicals’ 2025 SHOWSEARCH 10-minute musical competition, and later this year, will have one of their compositions performed at 54 Below.
Brandon Swartz is a Colorado-based actor, filmmaker, writer, and singer-songwriter with a passion for character-driven storytelling. He has written and directed multiple independent short and feature films and recently co-starred in the award-winning feature film The Sasquologist. A lifelong theater artist, Brandon performed leading roles in multiple stage productions and has been nominated for awards in both acting and directing. He is excited to be part of the Young Artist Project and to continue growing alongside fellow artists from across the country.
Giovana Grace Watson is a recent graduate of The Catholic University of America with a BFA in Musical Theatre and a minor in Dance. She’s been a performer since she was about four years old, and has no intention of stopping anytime soon. Giovana has lived in Orange County her whole life with her parents, three sisters, grandmother and three German Shepherds. She would like to thank her family for their constant support, especially during this exciting experience.
Steve Cisneros (Founder, Producing Artistic Director) created Phantom Projects Theatre Group as a senior in high school, at the age of 17. He has produced over 300 plays, musicals, concerts and special events, and has directed nearly 150. The Covid closures stopped two national tours he produced and directed which had performed at sold out venues (including the Smithsonian Institute) in 5 states.
At the age of 19, Cisneros spearheaded a proposal that sparked a partnership with Phantom Projects and the City of La Mirada to bridge the gap in their annual programing. The new partnership created the “Theatre for a Teen Audience” series, and allowed the troupe to become a resident presenting group at the 1,300 seat La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts. The annual season, with a focus on arts education, has included World Premieres, West Coast Premieres, and California Premieres of shows such as Wonder, The Giver, The Watsons go to Birmingham, #TheSociaMediaPlay, Through These Eyes and many more. The unique partnership has been covered by CBS, ABC, NBC, FOX, KCAL and dozens more media outlets.
He’s had the pleasure of managing various theatres along the way including Nederlander’s Hollywood Pantages Theatre, South Coast Repertory, La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, and Poway Center for the Performing Arts.
In 2021, The City of La Habra chose Phantom Projects to take over the management and operations of the historic La Habra Depot. After 6 months of renovations, the venue reopened with a Gala featuring Aloe Blacc and Maya Jupiter, under the new name, The Phantom Projects Theatre at La Habra Depot.
Before turning to producing, he booked a variety of pilots and commercials as a young actor, and performed on stages all over Southern California before “retiring” at the age of 15 after an extended run in Los Angeles with the West Coast Premiere of “The Boiler Room” with Ivonne Coll (Directed by Alex Colon). His role in American Me with Edward James Olmos has him often appearing at various fan events with other actors from the cult-favorite.
Phantom wouldn’t be possible without his parents and their allowing of him to rehearse the earlier years in their driveway (and their living room when it rained). He’s incredibly thankful for every member of the Phantom Phamily who has ever provided their time, talents, and energy to the dream. Theatre matters. You matter.
