Educating Youngstars Bio

Julie Stevens, M.S., a resident of Los Angeles, is the founder of Educating Youngstars. Julie holds a dual teaching credential in California and New York and is a licensed Studio Teacher/Welfare Worker. A native of Philadelphia, Julie began performing at age nine when she was cast as one of the orphans in the in the hit Broadway musical, ANNIE. While performing in the show on Broadway, she attended Professional Children's School, with fellow Annie alumni, Sarah Jessica Parker. Julie played Pepper in the final cast when Annie closed on Broadway after 2,377 performances.

Julie went on to earn a BFA from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts and a Masters Degree in Education from Bank Street College. She was able to utilize her acting skills and teaching degree as a teaching artist for many well-known theatre companies in New York, including The Roundabout, National Actor's Theatre and Manhattan Theatre Club. She helped create educational outreach programs, led pre and post-show discussions, and facilitated drama workshops with New York City public school children.

Julie became an on-set Studio Teacher for professional children working in commercials, studio films, and independent films. Some of her credits as a Studio Teacher include MAJORS & MINORS (on the HUB Network), CHILDRENS HOSPITAL (on Cartoon Network), LOVE'S EVERLASTING COURAGE, OLIVER'S GHOST, TASTE OF ROMANCE (all for the Hallmark Channel) and the soap opera THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL. With experience as a child performer, continued involvement in the arts, a degree in Education, and her ongoing study in the field, Julie's unique credentials have made her a sought-after Studio Teacher. She has the unique ability to oversee the student's educational needs while understanding the emotional demands placed on them through their artistic focus.

Julie also has a thriving private coaching business, teaching acting and singing to young performers as well as educating parents on the pitfalls of show business. She has conducted workshops for families new to the business, offering her expertise on everything from finding an agent, getting headshots, how to audition, acting for film vs. theatre, managing money, schooling on set, and how to keep your child grounded in reality. Julie is a longtime advocate of child performers and is passionate about ensuring that they all receive a quality education and training, while working professionally. In addition, Julie combined her acting and teaching skills, along with an entrepreneurial spirit, to create an instructional deck of cards for performing artists, called ACTING OUTSIDE THE BOX, available online and in specialty stores nationwide.

In 2000, Julie launched a website, ANNIEORPHANS.COM, hoping to re-connect with her fellow cast members online. The website quickly became the premiere ANNIE site for fans worldwide as well as a meeting place for parents to chat and ask advice about show business. The website also created a "sisterhood" of young women who appeared in the show as children, some of whom struggle with strong feelings of frustration and confusion with having their show business career end so abruptly. These women and their stories were the inspiration for LIFE AFTER TOMORROW, a documentary film that explores the hard knocks of overcoming early success. The film is not simply a glimpse back at the careers of some talented children but also a cautionary tale for parents considering a career in show business for their child.