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.
 

Current Classes:

Class: Age: Chapter: Location: Day: Time: Start: End:
Basics of Dance 8-18 Phoenix
(Spring 2019)		 CYT Studio Tue 4:00pm - 5:50pm Feb 19 Apr 23
Basics of Musical Theater 8-18 Phoenix
(Spring 2019)		 CYT Studio Wed 4:00pm - 5:50pm Feb 20 Apr 24
Basics of Voice 8-18 Phoenix
(Spring 2019)		 CYT Studio Fri 4:00pm - 5:50pm Feb 22 Apr 26
CYT Phoenix Improv Team 12-18 Phoenix
(Spring 2019)		 CYT Studio Thu 6:00pm - 7:50pm Feb 21 Apr 25
LES MIS, Intermediate/Advanced Voice 12-18 Phoenix
(Spring 2019)		 CYT Studio Wed 6:00pm - 7:50pm Feb 20 Apr 24
Musical Theater - East Valley 8-18 Phoenix
(Spring 2019)		 Living Faith Anglican Church Mon 4:00pm - 5:50pm Feb 18 Apr 22
Our Gang 4-7 Phoenix
(Spring 2019)		 CYT Studio Wed 4:00pm - 5:00pm Feb 20 Apr 24
Stretching & Strengthening 8-18 Phoenix
(Spring 2019)		 CYT Studio Sat 11:30am - 12:00pm Mar 02 Apr 27
Teen Tap 13-18 Phoenix
(Spring 2019)		 CYT Studio Tue 6:00pm - 7:50pm Feb 19 Apr 23
Theater Production 2 12-18 Phoenix
(Spring 2019)		 CYT Studio Fri 4:00pm - 5:50pm Feb 22 Apr 26

Spring 2019 Session - Important Dates

Session begins February 19th, 2019
There will be NO Spring Break for CYT Classes
Showcases week of April 23rd-26th, 2019

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.

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Showcase

Showcase

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

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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:

Bertha A. Cortes

Bertha A. Cortes received her Bachelor's in Theatre Education from Grand Canyon University in 2015. She currently teaches Pre K through 6th grade Drama at BMES in Cave Creek. She is also a company member at Brelby Theatre Company in Glendale. She is thrilled to be working at CYT!

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.

Emily Hendricks

Emily Hendricks is a senior at Grand Canyon University studying vocal performance. Emily has studied voice under Dr. Rachel Velarde, Dr. Sheila Corley, and Rachel Stoddard. At Grand Canyon University, she has had many performing opportunities including performing with GCU’s three vocal ensembles with the culmination of singing at Carnegie Hall in New York City. As an Arizona native, Emily loves basking in the warm sunshine, the smell of old books, and spending quality time with her family. No matter where life takes her, Emily looks to daily chase down new opportunities and adventures.

Haley Gadbery

Haley Gadbery graduated Summa Cum Laude from Grand Canyon University where she received a Bachelor’s degree in Entrepreneurial Studies and minored in Dance Education. While attending GCU, she had the opportunity to perform in GCU’s Ethington Dance Ensemble in works by both faculty and guest artists. Haley grew up in North Carolina where she received the foundation of her dance and theatre education. Over the course of her training, she had the privilege of attending The University of North Carolina School of the Arts’ annual festival of dance to study under master teachers, and travel to New York City to take master classes at Broadway Dance Center. In addition to multiple performance credits, Haley has been teaching dance for 10 years, and has served as the choreographer for over 20 dance and musical theatre productions. Haley is excited about teaching the next generation of artists and strives to provide an atmosphere in which her students are challenged to grow in their art form, as well as individuals.

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).

Nayrel Dell

Nayrel graduated from Grand Canyon University, where she met her husband. She majored in vocal performance and minored in piano performance. Nayrel has attended many conferences on vocal health and Alexander Technique and enjoys learning about the fairly new "voice science" field and all of its new discoveries. Most of all, she enjoys learning about the historical background behind some of our most beloved works and artists, and sharing that knowledge with anyone who will listen.

Stephanie Carpenter

Stephanie has been with CYT Phoenix since 2010 when her children became involved in the program. Over the next seven seasons she worked on almost every facet of the program–from publicity and marketing to backstage and production design before becoming Artistic Director. She has three children with her husband of over 20 years and the whole family is involved in CYT. She has a BFA in graphic design and professional experience in both 2-D and 3-D design. As a CYT Mom, she has a heart for the families that are the center of everything CYT does. As an artist, she has a passion for excellence in all of CYT Phoenix's creative endeavors.