Attention Staten Island High School Students: Apply For Consideration For Free Acting Camp – Open To NYC, NJ High Schoolers

MEAN GIRLS CO-DIRECTORS LAUNCH THE YES BUS ACTING CAMP: A FREE ACTING CAMP FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY

We submitted the following questions to The Yes Bus Acting Camp, and the answers are below:

Are there underserved areas on Staten Island that your organization is focusing on?

To answer your question, we are trying to get this message out to any and all students, especially those within underserved areas, across Staten Island, New York City, and New Jersey. 

What is the total number of students who will be awarded a place in this camp, and are there location limits as well, such as two from each borough or high school, etc?

Students learn acting. Image Credit – The Yes Bus

Open to all high school students, THE YES BUS ACTING CAMP is a completely free acting camp led by Mean Girls co-directors Arturo Perez Jr. and Samantha Jayne. With mentorship, celebrity guests, and a mission to uplift youth, especially those from underserved communities in New Jersey and New York, THE YES BUS ACTING CAMP provides a platform for aspiring performers to grow and shine.

New York, NY— Launching in July 2025, Mean Girls co-directors Arturo Perez Jr. and Samantha Jayne will bring their innovative, two-week acting camp to New York City for the first time. THE YES BUS ACTING CAMP offers high school students across the Tri-state a chance to receive mentorship from industry professionals, participate in acting and writing seminars, and showcase their talents, all at no cost. This camp aims to empower and inspire the next generation of performers, with a special emphasis on supporting youth from underserved communities. Applicants from New York and New Jersey can apply with a 1-minute monologue by June 15, 2025.

Arturo and Samantha, who are passionate about creating accessible arts opportunities, founded THE YES BUS ACTING CAMP with the goal of providing young artists, particularly those from immigrant and underserved communities, with the confidence, knowledge, and tools they might not have had access to otherwise. This initiative is particularly crucial in this current historical moment when immigrants’ rights, freedom of expression, and funding for the arts and culture are all under severe attack. Arturo and Samantha believe that the performing arts are not a luxury but rather an integral part of the human experience that should be accessible to all people, especially children. The program officially launched in Los Angeles and its debut in

New York City is a major step in ensuring that all students have an equal shot at pursuing their dreams in acting. The camp is entirely free of charge, covering professional headshots, all resources, and meals. The only responsibility for students is arranging transportation to the camp’s location in Midtown Manhattan, which is well-connected by public transit, including train and bus options. They are calling on all high school principals, English and Drama teachers to
inform their students of this opportunity for artistic expression, confidence, and community.
“We want to give young artists, especially those who might not otherwise have the opportunity,
the chance to step into their power and pursue their passion for acting,” said Samantha. “This
camp is more than just learning to act, it’s about giving them the confidence and support they
need to believe in themselves and their potential,” added Arturo.

Students who are interested in participating in this incredible opportunity can apply online at
https://www.theyesbus.com/camp. The deadline to apply is June 15, 2025, and the exact
location of the camp in Midtown Manhattan will be disclosed to selected students.

Banner Image: Acting classes. Image Credit – The Yes Bus