In 1983, the late John Goldring founded Alaska Theatre of Youth with a pilot project at McLaughlin Youth Center. In the twenty years since, ATY has worked with students throughout the state, teaching and performing from Bethel to Juneau. As a long-standing member of Alaska’s vigorous arts community, ATY teaches everything from Japanese culture as part of staging "Otogibanashi," to sword-fighting to auditioning. It collaborates with UAA, Native organizations and the schools to reach children in many different situations.

ATY’s original mission focused on using performing arts to work with youth trapped in destructive life patterns. It has expanded its offerings to popular summer conservatories, workshops and drama centers during the school year, and a season’s worth of family plays ranging from "The Three Little Pigs" to "Dracula," and "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory." School programs include ten- day intensive programs, workshops, Title I programs and drama centers that teach Shakespeare, stage movement, voice, and play writing. The theater students and staff work with deaf programs, mentor Anchorage students, and donate performances to benefit Kids Day and schools.

Alaska Theatre of Youth is a non-profit educational organization, organized under 501(c)(3). Its volunteer board of community members donate their time because they believe that ATY’s programs serve everyone in the community through family-oriented plays, challenging programs for kids at-risk, and entertaining and thoughtful programs for schools and summer students. A corps of talented and hard-working volunteers and staff energize the program work year-round, bringing magic and vision to kids throughout the state.