Classes

About CYT Classes

CYT offers classes for students ages 4-18 throughout the school year. Classes include drama, voice, dance, and behind-the-scenes training in makeup, costumes, tech, and more. Classes are held for two hours once a week and run for ten consecutive weeks in Fall, Winter, and Spring sessions. 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. 

Parents send their children to CYT classes to learn, and that’s exactly what they will do! At the end of a CYT session, your student will come away with a new or improved skill in the area of emphasis. During the last week of class, a high-energy Showcase is presented by each class to show other students, family, and friends all they’ve learned.
 

Fall 2019 Classes

  • Fall 2019 classes open for registration on July 12th
  • There will be no fall break during the fall class session
  • All classes will perform in a showcase on Tuesday, October 8th at 6:30pm. Details will be sent to class families via email.
Check out our 2019-2020 Season calendar! It has all the important dates for the entire season that you need to know.
Season Calendar

Current Classes:

Class: Age: Chapter: Location: Day: Time: Start: End:
Accents & Dialects 10-18 Phoenix
(Fall 2019)		 CYT Studio Wed 4:00pm - 5:50pm Aug 07 Oct 16
Basics of Acting 7-18 Phoenix
(Fall 2019)		 CYT Studio Tue 4:00pm - 5:50pm Aug 06 Oct 15
Basics of Dance 7-18 Phoenix
(Fall 2019)		 CYT Studio Sat 10:00am - 11:50am Aug 10 Oct 19
Basics of Voice 7-18 Phoenix
(Fall 2019)		 CYT Studio Wed 6:00pm - 7:50pm Aug 07 Oct 16
Dance Through History 13-18 Phoenix
(Fall 2019)		 CYT Studio Tue 6:00pm - 7:50pm Aug 06 Oct 15
Improv 10-18 Phoenix
(Fall 2019)		 CYT Studio Thu 6:00pm - 7:50pm Aug 08 Oct 17
Our Gang - Spooky & Kooky 4-7 Phoenix
(Fall 2019)		 CYT Studio Thu 4:30pm - 5:30pm Aug 08 Oct 17
Production: The Curious Savage 13-18 Phoenix
(Fall 2019)		 CYT Studio Fri 4:00pm - 5:50pm Aug 09 Oct 18
Special Effects Makeup 8-18 Phoenix
(Fall 2019)		 CYT Studio Fri 4:00pm - 5:50pm Aug 09 Oct 18

Drop & Refund Policies

Any class dropped after week 2 of classes in not eligible for refunding. If a class is dropped before that deadline, you will be issued a prorated refund or class credit. Please email managingdirector@cytphoenix.org if you have any questions regarding drop and refund policies.
View Policies
Curriculum

Curriculum

Fall, Winter, and Spring sessions offer ten-week classes for students ages 4-18.

Learn More
Showcase

Showcase

At the end of the ten-week session, each class performs for family and friends.

Learn More
Teachers

Teachers

Instructors are qualified in teaching and/or performing, and strive to be excellent role models.

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CYT is a one of a kind organization in that it accepts kids just as they are, and not only includes them but builds them up through encouraging them to do things that they never thought they could do – the confidence and self-esteem that this instills in them is priceless.  The topping on the cake to all of this, is it is done through a Christ centered atmosphere.  This is what I really love about CYT – is that it gives all the credit to Christ and makes Jesus and His efforts the central focus.  I don’t think there is another organization in the valley that offers this.  God is blessing CYT and it is an honor to be a part of it. 

Emmy, parent

Curriculum

CYT offers a wide variety of classes, and they all enable students to gain valuable theater arts training, develop confidence, and make friends! There are currently over 50 different curriculum materials available in a variety of musical theater areas. Please note these classes vary per session. Check the Classes page to see what’s available now!

Showcase

Parents, friends, and relatives are invited to attend CYT's Showcase performance on the last day / evening of classes, free of charge! Showcase is the grand finale of each session of classes, at which every class makes a 5-10 minute presentation of something they have learned and rehearsed during the session. Don't miss the action!

Teachers

A CYT Teacher’s mission is to train and instruct students in such a way as to promote the development of character, self-esteem, and confidence. CYT teachers are qualified and experienced in the area in which they teach. They have been trained in the CYT methods of instruction and agree with the CYT values and outcome goals.  All CYT teachers have been background checked and adhere to our CYT Mission and Values. Our teachers truly care about their students and provide a constructive and fun environment for them to learn.
Want to Teach for CYT Phoenix?

Current Teachers:

Alexandra Biggs

Alexandra Biggs is a graduate of Grand Canyon University, with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance Education. She is currently serving as the Artistic Director of Dance at Maricopa High School, and holds a state teaching certificate in her field. She has been dancing since the age of three, and throughout her training enjoyed multiple successes in the competitive realm. She has had the opportunity to study at the prestigious dance department at the University of Nevada Las Vegas, as well as spending two wonderful years at Grand Canyon University. She feels fortunate to have spent time with many teachers over the years that have made a lasting impact on her life, and looks forward to continuing the tradition of excellence in dance education she has received to all of her students in the future.

Bertha A. Cortes

Bertha Alicia Cortes received her Bachelor's in Theatre Education from Grand Canyon University in 2015. She is currently teaching theatre at South Mountain High School and previously taught grades Pre K through 6th at Black Mountain Elementary School.

Debra Denise Lanier

Denise Lanier graduated from Wheaton College with a degree in music. She has taught middle school and high school choir. She has performed in over 35 shows and was a member of the Cumberland Oratorio Singers in Fayetteville, NC. She has taught and directed for CYT Chicago and is so excited to be teaching for CYT Phoenix.

Dexter Tuten

Dexter Tuten is a CYT alumnus, having participated in CYT classes and shows while in High School, and has worked as Stage Manager for many CYT Phoenix main-stage productions. Dexter is now on staff at CYT Phoenix as Show Coordinator and Teacher.

Kathlyn Chisholm

Kathlyn Chisholm graduated from Grand Canyon University with her BFA in Dance Education. She has been trained in all forms of dance but especially enjoys Ballroom dance, and Jazz. After Kathlyn graduated from college she created Black Mountain Elementary School's dance curriculum and started their very first elementary dance program. Kathlyn has choreographed many musicals and has directed and produced over six of her own dance shows. In 2017 she was awarded Rookie of The Year Award by CCUSD for outstanding first year teacher. Kathlyn has taught at various dance studios around the Valley. Kathlyn has danced since she was a little girl and she has been to various different dance competitions. In 2015 she won 3rd place at Nationals in her Latin Ballroom division. She is very passionate about dance and teaching. Kathlyn is eager to start working at CYT and can't wait to meet all of her new students!

Kim Stephenson Smith

Kim is thrilled to be teaching at CYT! Originally from Utah, Kim spent several years working as an actor in New York, London, and San Francisco before heading to Florida for school. She earned her BFA in Music Dance Theatre from Brigham Young University and holds a Certificate in Classical Acting from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. She recently received her MFA in Acting from the FSU/Asolo Conservatory. Professional affiliations include the Voice and Speech Trainers Association (VASTA) and the Association of Theatre Movement Educators (ATME).

Nicole Cottrell

I’m a writer and speaker, ministry director, and homeschool mother of three, ages 11, 10, and 7.