The New England Youth Theatre was recently founded by Stephen Stearns, the lovable funny man of the comedy duo, Gould and Stearns. Its formation represents the fruition of a long held dream for Stephen. His own introduction to theatre began at age eleven in "The Importance of Being Earnest: dyslexic in school", acting gave his mind the creative outlet he needed. For the past ten years, he's longed to give children the chance to escape the hum drum world into a creative world brimming with possibilities and new friendships...to experience the same artistic freedom he felt on stage and back stage as a kid, in a joyful and receptive atmosphere.

In Stephen's forty years of theatre he's brought what New England Presenters Conference calls his "comic genius" to countless audiences throughout the world. A Masters in acting and directing, a Ph.D. in Elizabethan Drama and training with a master mime flank his credentials, along with a host of honors for artistic excellence and humanitarian acts. His love for children has always been at the forefront of his activities. For the last two summers, Stephen directed melodrama and circus camps in Vermont an enjoyed it so much that he knew he was ready to make children's theatre his major mission. Lucky for New England youth that he has. His extraordinary teaching skills, his contacts with performing arts professionals, his infectious comedic style and zest for life have all added up to a rare and marvelous theatre opportunity of children