YAW was incorporated as an independent non-profit organization in 1990, succeeding the Coastside Youth Theater of the Half Moon Bay Department of Parks and Recreation. The next several years featured successful student performances of the works of various playwrights.

In recent years, under teacher/director Auri Naggar, YAW began an experiment in which the imaginations of its own students would generate material for its plays. Using a technique known as "Guided Improvisation," the students created and starred in new musical productions with imaginative story lines, unique characters, and original dialogue, humor, and songs. These student-created plays have become a significant part of the YAW program. Volunteer help, especially from member families, has made major productions of these plays, with high quality costumes, makeup, sets, programs, cast soundtrack albums, televised video, etc.

Another regular YAW event is the creation of the Haunted House at the annual Half Moon Bay Arts and Pumpkin Festival, featuring the students and their families as ghouls. The Haunted House is visited by thousands of guests during the Festival weekend.

YAW is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors; its general membership consists of the families of YAW students. The current Board is made up of Kathryn Holsclaw, Marsha Boyes, Tim Woudenberg, Shannon Gibbs, Lorrie Trautman, Kim Ritner, and Auri Naggar.