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 10 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 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 sessions during the school year (fall, winter and spring.) Children ages 4-18 may select one theater class per session. The cost for a session is currently $190 per student. A sibling discount is offered (second child $175, third child $160, 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 14-18 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. During the last 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 2 different nights in the Richmond area: Tuesdays at Gayton Baptist Church (West End) and Thursdays at Gayton Baptist Church (West End) and KingsWay Community Church (Midlothian).
SHOWS
CYT Richmond produces at least one Broadway-style musical for the community each session. Upcoming musicals for the 2011-2012 Richmond season are: The LEGEND OF POCAHONTAS in October 2011, ANNIE in November 2011, Disney's MULAN in February 2012, MUSIC MAN in March 2012, Disney's BEAUTY & THE BEAST in June 2012 and JOSEPH & THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT in August 2012.
Enrollment in class provides students (ages 8-18) the opportunity to audition for one of the current productions that session. Approximately 60-90 students are cast in each CYT Richmond production. A $200 per child production fee covers miscellaneous production-related expenses. Optional expenses include a makeup kit 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 $225 per child 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 6-13. 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!
MASTERS CAMP FOR TEENS
(Offered every other year - next time will be summer 2012)
Masters Camp is a 2 1/2 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 a full-length musical production. Camp will be held in the summer with 7 main stage performances for the community the final weekend. The cost for the 2 1/2 week camp and production (which includes an overnight weekend at Camp Hanover) is $500. Past Masters Camps have been LES MISERABLES School Edition (summer 2008) and HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 2 On Stage! (summer 2010). Registration for our next Masters Camp, JOSEPH & THE AMAZING TECHINICOLOR DREAMCOAT, will begin February 2012. There is no experience like CYT Richmond’s Masters Camp!
TEEN OVERNIGHT CAMP 2013
(Offered every other year - next time will be summer 2013)
CYT Richmond is planning to take students ages 14-18 back to CrossRoads Camp & Conference Center in the mountains between Charlottesville and Lynchburg (Lowesville, VA) for our overnight drama and spiritual emphasis camp in August 2013! Don't miss out on this every-other-year-event (rotates with in-town Masters Camp.) Students must provide their own transportation to CrossRoads. Total cost for the 5 day - 4 night camp in August will be $400.
