CYT MISSION
CYT is dedicated to developing character in children and adults through training in the arts and by producing wholesome family entertainment, all of which reflect Judeo-Christian values.WHAT IS CYT?
Christian Youth Theater (CYT) is an after-school theater arts training program for students ages 4 - 18. Since its founding in 1981 in San Diego, CYT has grown to be the largest youth theater in the nation and is a non-profit 501(c)3 educational organization funded primarily through its tuition, ticket sales, and outside contributions. CYT Richmond is one of many CYT affiliates across the country training thousands of students each year and is a licensee of CCT/CYT (Christian Community Theater, located in San Diego, CA). It has been operating for the past 8 years with an extremely positive influence on the Richmond community. Kids and families LOVE it.Because CYT does not own facilities for classes or productions, the organization works through the local community, utilizing classrooms and stages in churches, schools and local theaters. CYT is not affiliated with a church body, and people of all faiths are welcome.
CYT stands in the forefront in its commitment to the highest ethical, moral, technical and artistic standards of excellence. Instructors are professionals, qualified in teaching and/or performing, who must understand our mission statement, values, objectives and goals. The staff of CYT Richmond strives to be excellent role models.
Every session (fall, winter and spring) CYT offers theater arts classes for children as an after-school activity. Each CYT across the country conducts three independent ten-week sessions throughout the school year, teaching drama, voice, dance and a broad spectrum of specialty theatrical workshops at weekly two-hour classes. Financial assistance or partial scholarships are available for those in need and sibling discounts are available to multi-children families. Enrolled students have the opportunity to work behind the scenes, or audition and perform on stage in a Broadway-style musical performed for the community.
CYT GOALS
1. Training children in the performing arts.2. Building leadership skills.
3. Developing a sense of community and fellowship.
4. Providing positive, godly role models for students.
WHAT DOES CYT OFFER?
CLASSES
CYT offers three 10-week sessions during the school year (fall, winter and spring.) Children ages 4-18 may select one theater class per session. The cost for a 10-week session is currently $180 per student. A sibling discount is offered (second child $165, third child $150, etc.)
A wide variety of classes are offered (core classes in drama, voice, and dance, plus specialty classes which vary from session to session). CYT Richmond offers small classes (usually 12-14 students) with adequate supervision both inside the classroom (teacher) and outside the classroom (CYT area coordinator). Each class lasts for two-hours and runs for 10 consecutive weeks (20 total hrs. of instruction.) During the 10th class week, a high-energy "SHOWCASE" is presented by each class for the other students as well as family and friends. Every CYT student participates in the showcase.
Classes currently meet 3 different nights in Richmond: Mondays (5:15-7:30pm) at KingsWay Community Church on the southside of Richmond and on Tuesdays and Thursdays (2 SESSIONS each night 4:30-6:30 pm and 6:45-8:45 pm) at Gayton Baptist Church in the far west end of Richmond.
SHOWS
CYT Richmond produces at least one Broadway-style musical for the community each session. Upcoming musicals for the 2009-2010 Richmond season are: The WIZARD OF OZ in November 2009, CINDERELLA Enchanted Edition and The JUNGLE BOOK in March 2010, PETER PAN in June 2010, and Disney's HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 2 in August 2010.
Enrollment in class provides students (ages 8-18) the opportunity to audition for the current production. Approximately 85 students are cast in each CYT Richmond production. A $175 per child production fee covers miscellaneous production-related expenses. Optional expenses include a makeup kit, black & white headshot if needed, and a show t-shirt.
Students under the age of 8 or those not cast in the show are encouraged to participate in the production in other ways. Depending on age and ability, students (and siblings) can participate on the backstage crew, technical team, or the costume and make-up committees. Students may also choose to work at the concession stands or help usher.
CYT is a family oriented organization dedicated to providing entertaining activities which can involve the entire family. As such, at least one parent of each student cast in the production must serve on both a pre-show and a show-week Production Committee. Without the support of parents, CYT could not produce high-quality community shows. Parents are the backbone of CYT!
SUMMER DAY CAMPS
Week-long musical theater summer day camps are offered in several locations around the Richmond area. The cost for summer day camp is $160 - $210 per child (depending on the age bracket) and includes a camp t-shirt plus daily snacks. Staff includes professionals from the CYT Production Teams and CYT Alumni Students. Camps are offered for ages 5-7, ages 7-10, and ages 10-14. Team competitions, rotations through daily drama, dance, music, and craft workshops, a daily theme-related devotional, and an impressive concluding SHOWCASE for family and friends are what CYT Summer Day Camps are all about! Summer camp online registration begins February 1.
MASTERS CAMP FOR TEENS
Masters Camp is a 3-week summer performing arts camp for ages 14-18. Students enrolled in our Teen Masters Camp will be exposed to all aspects of theater (sets, props, costumes, makeup, tech, etc) in addition to performing Disney's HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 2 on stage in August 2010. Auditions and several rehearsals will be conducted in the spring. Camp will be held in the summer with 7 main stage performances for the community at the conclusion. The cost for the 3-week camp is $399 (that's just $133 per week!) There is no experience like CYT Richmond’s Masters Camp!
