The Young Players Ensemble was established by Hilari Scarl in 1989 to address current issues and conflicts among young people aged 9 to 17 through theatre.

Since it's beginning, the YPE has opened the doors for multi-cultural casts to create original plays based on their lives, opinions and outlooks in a dramatic, non-judgmental manner.

The Young Players Ensemble has facilitated several international exchanges, bringing cast members together from Russia, Scotland, India, France, Japan, Switzerland, Somalia, Northern Ireland and across the United States. Original theatre pieces have been produced in Atlanta, New York, Maine, Philadelphia and Los Angeles, and have been performed at nursing homes, AIDS hospices, orphanages, summer camps, at-risk youth centers, fairs and local theatres.

Themes of these pieces have included prejudice, identity issues, politics and homelessness, incorporating various theatrical elements including original music, choreography, and highly evolved storylines all created entirely by the Ensemble. The program not only teaches young people the power of creative expression through writing, performing and producing, but also fosters communication in their communities as well.