Diane Kamrin, producer and musical director for Diablo Light Opera Company's youth program, Stars2000, is never very far from her students. The Pleasant Hill resident lives scarcely a block away from DLOC's studios, where Stars2000 shares rehearsal space.

Kamrin, who also teaches choreography and musical training at schools in the Mt. Diablo and San Ramon districts, started Stars2000 10 years ago with DLOC when county funding was cut for summer fine arts programs for kids. Since then, DLOC has helped support the youth program, which has trained more than 500 young thespians ages 13-20 in the art of musical theater, complete with dance, vocal and acting workshops.

The summer program runs from mid-June to late July, with workshops and rehearsals 1-4:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, culminating with a full-length production at the Dean Lesher Regional Center for the Arts; this year, it's "Guys and Dolls."

While kids are required to audition, they don't necessarily need extensive theater training. As Kamrin explains it, some kids can dance, a few play an instrument, and still others simply have an intangible talent and spunk. But just to ensure that the maximum number of kids can be involved, Stars2000 doubles the roles. That means roughly 45-50 students a summer.

There is a nominal tuition fee, but for those who can't afford it, scholarships are available. Kamrin makes it clear, though, that if financial aid isn't available, DLOC will work out a payment plan. Money is usually no object.

Why was it important for you that there be a summer performing arts program in Contra Costa County?

"So they (students) could focus on the art. I wanted kids to spend a chunk of time to develop characters without the distraction of academics. I saw such an enormous amount of talent here, and I thought, with us, they could grow their skills."

What do you look for when kids audition?

"Well, they have to have a certain amount of talent, but you don't always look for the obviously talented; sometimes you see raw talent. Sometimes we see someone who sparks us. It's more about the potential. And sometimes we find that when kids don't have much talent, they end up gleaning much more."

Do you ever have kids who have been forced by their parents to be in the program?

"If they've auditioned, they want to be here. Auditioning is a great experience. It can be a real positive experience. We make it really positive. No one goes away in tears. It's really a confidence-builder."

What do you love most about teaching?

"It's so gratifying. I love their enthusiasm. I love that they love to work with me. They're like my kids. And it's wonderful to track their careers. It's giving them wings to grow. As much as they get out of it, I get just as much."

Do you guys have any pre-performance rituals?

"Everyone circles up and we hold hands. We talk about the show or say a familiar line in the production. Or we just send energy around as a hand squeeze. It's a really good way to collect and focus everyone."

What do you want kids to take away from Stars2000?

"Well, of course, the basic theater training. When you look at that stage, everyone is on equal ground. You don't know who's the mathematician or the spelling bee champ. They get to feel good about themselves. If they do this, they can do anything. And they may never do this ever again, but they've had that experience of getting up in front of people."

This is 15-year-old Stephen Diaz's second year with Stars2000, and he simply can't contain his excitement about the program. The Deer Valley High School sophomore is a bit of a piano prodigy, playing since he was 10, but decided he wanted to try his hand at a different vein of the performing arts and auditioned for the summer program. These days, Diaz has his heart set on Broadway, and has performed in DLOC's mainstage production of "Carousel" and Contra Costa Musical Theatre's "Annie." He'll be performing as Rusty Charlie in Stars2000's "Guys and Dolls."

How did you get involved with Stars2000?

"I had done a lot of community theater, just acting. I also played piano as an accompaniment. One day I saw an ad for auditioning and thought that would be a fun thing to try. I remembered passing by the building and seeing the comedy and tragedy face on the side."

What important things have you gained from the program?

"Through this I've learned that it's such a big cooperation: You learn cooperation is such a big part of it. You see the final production and you see that it's not possible without it. It's funny, because some people have goals like 'I've got to do better than that person.' But I've learned it's about being better than yourself. You all help each other. It really shows. You learn from each other."

How would you describe the teaching?

"The teaching is at everybody's level. They're able to connect everyone, no matter how experienced you are. I mean, I had never danced until I came here. All my dance experience and dance terms come from Diane."

What's your favorite aspect of the program?

"You lose all inhibitions. You don't have to be embarrassed here. And you meet a lot of cool people. When I first came I didn't say anything to anyone, because I thought everyone all knew each other from before. But kids just came right up and said hello, and it was like, 'All right, let's do this!' And also for me, it's about the opportunities. Diane gave me the opportunity to sing, and now I'm singing in the trio (in "Guys and Dolls"). Whatever your talent is, they try to get it into the show."

How would you describe your experience with Stars2000 thus far?

"What I've been doing is beyond words. I've learned everything from her (Kamrin). You let go of your inhibitions. It's a safe place to learn. I've been in productions and walked out the back door just hating myself. With the productions here, I feel proud afterward."