What we do

Youth Drama For All (YDFA) is an inclusive theater group open to both special and general education youth, and young adults. Our mission is to build camaraderie and support among the actors, volunteers, parents, and special education community through the performing arts. YDFA has the unique ability to find the best in each individual. Whether a participant is blind or has low vision, is deaf or hard of hearing, has mobility challenges, is nonverbal, or has other unique needs, a custom role is created to adjust to highlight strengths. The focus is on each actor’s abilities, not disabilities, and allows each participant to shine in an inclusive and uplifting environment.

To support our work, please consider making a donation. No amount is too small.

Who we are

Sue Voiss, Founder, Executive Director

A native Californian, Sue sparked the creation of Youth Drama For all with the first show in her living room in 2007, and formed the nonprofit in 2014. Sue is passionate about enabling and empowering individuals to achieve their full potential.

Sue recently retired from Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District as Risk Management Analyst. She brings her education in Human Development and Business Management, as well as her love of the arts.

Her daughter Tessa is the driving force that provides her deep connection to the special needs community. Tessa and Sue keep each other on their toes by outdoing each other’s puns. They tried to come up with a funny theatre joke, but, alas, it was all just an act.

Stacy Rademacher, Co-founder, Vice President

Stacy is a 18 year Los Altos-Mountain View parent who, along with her two adult children, have been a part of YDFA since the very first show.

Supporting the community through her volunteer work at schools and connecting with families, YDFA is one of the highlights of her life.

Stacy is currently VP of Customer Success at Presto, providing technology solutions to restaurants. She enjoys using her people and organizational skills to support YDFA’s operations.

Watching each YDFA actor and volunteer, exemplifying kindness and inclusion while creating opportunities to see the best in everyone is what makes YDFA truly magical.

Brenda Robbins, Treasurer

Brenda has over 30 years experience in accounting and finance in Silicon Valley. As Treasurer, she oversees the management and reporting of Youth Drama For All’s finances.

A native of Hawaii, Brenda has called Sunnyvale home for over three decades where she enjoys serving as a volunteer in the community with various not-for-profit organizations, churches, and school programs.

She is married and a proud mother of four amazing boys that keep the Robbins family life quite active. Brenda’s involvement with YDFA started five years ago in search of a theater program for her special needs son who loves the performing arts and who brings so much energy to each and every rehearsal. Not only does Brenda bring her analytical side to discussions, but her easy smile and quick laugh shows she is a perfect fit for YDFA.

Alex Grotevant, Board Member

Alex is an active board member, has volunteered for Youth Drama For All (YDFA) since 2016, and previously served as Treasurer on YDFA’s Board of Directors. He is passionate about YDFA’s mission to build camaraderie within the special needs community.

Currently, Alex is pursuing his MBA at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Previously, Alex was a Vice President at Silicon Valley Bank, where he supported complex debt transactions for private and public technology companies.

Alex is originally from Massachusetts, called California home for seven years, and is now living in Chicago, Illinois. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, and surfing.

Connor Potvin, Board Member

Connor began volunteering with YDFA in 2018 and joined the Board of Directors in 2020. The enthusiasm and dedication he saw while volunteering at rehearsals, and the broad impact YDFA has had on the community inspired him to contribute further to YDFA's mission as a Board Member.

Outside of YDFA, Connor is a Vice President at Silicon Valley Bank where he works with private equity firms to finance the acquisitions of software companies. Originally from upstate New York, in his spare time, Connor can be found skiing, traveling or spending time with his family bulldog, Barney.

Our story

Youth Drama For All’s roots started in Sue Voiss’ living room in 2007. Sue’s daughter Tessa hesitated to join her school's drama group in sixth grade because she was a bit shy having just moved to the area, and her new friend, who had a physical disability, was worried about falling off the stage. This became the catalyst for a new approach to theater for dozens of Los Altos and Mountain View students who loved performing and expressing themselves artistically, but never did because of their disabilities.

Sue rewrote a familiar script for the two girls to perform at home. During rehearsals, several classmates and other children joined—including those of fellow parent, Stacy Rademacher.

The home-run show took on a life of its own, and Stacy and other moms stepped up and helped stage a live performance with props, music and curtains erected from PVC pipe. A total of 10 actors, 8 of whom were special needs, performed for an audience of 21 in the Voiss’ living room.

The following year, Sue and Stacy teamed up and held rehearsals and the performance at a local elementary school. They both quickly fit in the roles of Director and Producer and became fast friends. Their passion and commitment has kept the program running for over 16 years - and it’s still going strong.

With its cast of 45+ actors and volunteers, Youth Drama For All has performed at local schools, and theaters, including Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts.

Through acting, music, singing and dancing (all of which involve teamwork, communication, eye contact, awareness of the body, facial expressions of emotion and appropriate responses), YDFA successfully brings out the best in each participant and provides a spotlight to acknowledge talents and strengths.