About Us

Developing Character...One Stage at a Time

Through after-school training in the arts, CYT KC produces quality, wholesome family entertainment. But CYT KC is so much more! Designed for whole families to get involved, CYT provides a safe place where kids can flourish, build their self-esteem, and develop leadership skills while being a part of a true community that reflects the Creator.

Another added benefit?
Researchers have linked involvement with the arts to better child development and higher student achievement. We have seen the long-lasting impact this has. Many of our alumni are following their dreams with the skills they have learned at CYT — some are performers in Broadway Touring Companies, and others are teachers, nurses, business owners, and more. Several former students have come back to be teachers, directors, and choreographers in our program. CYT students gain experiences that assist them in reaching their potential, as well as establish lifelong friendships.

Mission Statement

Christian Youth Theater develops character and creativity in kids of all ages through quality theater arts training that brings families and communities together while reflecting the Creator.
Values

Treat each individual with respect and significance
Develop character traits including discipline, self-confidence, and integrity
Bring families together through the use of individual talents and abilities
Share the love of Christ in word and deed

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What Does CYT KC Offer?

Classes
CYT offers two types of classes for students ages 5-18 throughout the school year. Classes include drama, voice, dance, and behind-the-scenes training in makeup, costumes, tech, and more. Traditional 9-week classes are offered for students ages 5-18, are held for two hours once a week, and run for nine consecutive weeks in Fall, Winter, and Spring sessions. Students aged 11-18 are eligible for our workshop track, which features a variety of classes taught by experienced teachers and visiting artists and theater professionals. Students in the workshop track receive flexibility and variety as they can take as many or as few workshops as they'd like for a single price each session. Class sizes are small and offer supervision both inside and outside the classroom. Each session culminates in a high-energy showcase to demonstrate to family, friends, and fellow students the skills acquired.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to COVID-19, our fall class programming will be modified to include a mixture of in-person and Zoom classes. Please visit see the link below for more information about current programming.

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Learn about Classes!

Dance Studio
We offer training in many dance techniques including ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary and hip hop. We are competitively preparing our students for the musical theatre and dance market through proper dance training.

Through self-discipline and dedication each student will gain knowledge and skills in many disciplines of dance and styles as well as a heightened self-esteem and passion for dance.

PLEASE NOTE: We are offering in-person dance classes for Fall 2020. Click the link below for more information.
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Check Out the Dance Studio

Shows
Enrollment in CYT classes provides students ages 8-18 the opportunity to audition for the current production. CYT Chapters produce one Broadway-style musical each session (Fall, Winter, and Spring). Students who want to be part of the show without performing can participate on the backstage crew, technical team, or as an usher.

CYT shows are always appropriate for the entire family and are an excellent way to introduce children to the arts at a young age!

PLEASE NOTE: Due to COVID-19, in Fall 2020, we will be offering a modified experience featuring smaller musical and play productions for different age ranges.

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Camps
Join us for the theatre camps we offer in the summer months!

For ages 5-13, week-long, high-energy theatre day camps are offered in various locations around the KC area. Students will spend the days singing, dancing, and acting their way toward the final Showcase performed for family and friends on Friday afternoon.

We also offer Non-Musical Theatre Day Camps as well as Dance Intensive camps for ages 8-18.

Middle school and high school students can audition for overnight camps. Students will rehearse, and perform a full show in one week! But it's not all work — there's amazing fellowship, worship, and, of course, fun and games! These camps are high intensity but an unforgettable experience that your child will want to make an annual tradition!
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Learn More About Summer Camps

HEART

Every HEART matters to us!

Our HEART program (Helping to Encourage Awareness and Recognition in Theater) is a full-inclusion program that provides individuals with special needs the opportunity to participate in classes, shows, and camps.

Visit Our HEART Page

HYPE

HYPE is High School Youth Pursuing Excellence. This group allows high school students to contribute to the CYT KC community by serving and planning community events and fundraisers.

The goal of HYPE is to challenge and grow the older students of CYT to:

be leaders and get involved by serving the community around them.
look at all aspects of theatre, not just from the actor’s point of view.
grow as an individual, committing themselves to excellence in all they do.

HYPE New Member Application
HYPE New Member Recommendation Form ONLINE SUBMISSION or PAPER FORM
HYPE Returning Member Form

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Improv

Our CYT KC Improv team travels to the CYT Expo every year to compete in Improvathon, a tournament against other CYT improv teams across the country. Since we began competing in 2004, the CYT KC Improv team has won the championship 10 times!

Congratulations to the 2018-2019 Improv Team for taking 2nd Place at the 2019 Improvathon!

2019-2020 Improv Team:
William Chapman
Will Hancock
Erin Jacobson
Hannah Long
Gavin Tanner
Coach: Andrew Milbourn

Photo by Samantha Kopecky

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Contact Us

Contact us!

CYT KC Staff

Meet the Staff

Board of Directors

Meet the Board

CYT, Inc.

In 1980, Paul & Sheryl Russell had the dream of bringing wholesome family entertainment to their community. Along with a small band of theatre-loving friends, they mounted a fully-staged production of The Sound of Music in San Diego, CA to a surprising audience of 5,000.

One year later, they started an after-school theatre arts program specifically for youth ages 4-18. Their first show, You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, had a cast of 24 students, and the rest is history.

Nationally, CYT has grown to be the largest children’s theatre organization in the country with more than 38 locations in 25 different cities and enrolling 18,000 students annually.

CYT Kansas City is a licensed affiliate of CYT Inc. CYT is the largest youth theater program in the nation, with programs across the country. To learn more about CYT and to find out how to start CYT in your city, visit www.cyt.org.
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