Maybe you were a student whose confidence took root under the lights. Maybe you’re a parent who watched your child find belonging and purpose through song and story. Maybe you’ve been lucky enough to experience both. No matter your connection to Excelsior, you’ve felt the magic of what happens when Kent and Shelley Johnson and Mary Kay Clark pour into youth—not just as teachers or directors, but as unwavering champions of possibility.

Since founding Excelsior Arts Academy & Youth Theater in 2018, Kent, Shelley, and Mary Kay have carried that same spirit into a nonprofit that now serves hundreds of students ages 8 to 22 (and beyond—we always make room for anyone who wants to be involved). In our time, we've produced dozens of shows, outgrown multiple spaces, and regularly sold out performances. 

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This is no longer just a youth theater—it's a full-scale, high-caliber nonprofit organization where dreams are nurtured, confidence is built, and the arts are alive and thriving. And now, we’re asking for your help to keep that momentum going.

We’re launching a new donor community—The Excelsior Connection—a space for those who get it: those who know what it means to find connection, confidence, and community on and off the stage. This group is for alumni, families, and friends who want to stay connected, give back, and help Excelsior continue to grow ever upward.

Your gift today honors where we’ve been—and helps us build what’s next. Ever Upward!