Classes

Registration for Winter 2023 classes is open! 
Audition and show information will be under the SHOWS tab.

Students are required to be enrolled in a CYT class in order to audition for the season production. 
Classes are 9 weeks and are generally held in the evening from 6pm-8pm unless they are dance classes (5pm-7pm). All classes conclude with a Showcase to show all the skills they have learned!  Showcases are held at Austin Baptist Church

Production rehearsals are held on Saturdays from 9am-3pm for the first 6 weeks and transition to 9am-4pm the last 4 weeks before the show opens.  

See the Shows page for Audition information.

 

Current Classes:

Class: Age: Chapter: Location: Day: Time: Start: End:
Acting For Musical Theater - Way Beyond The Basics! 13-18 Austin
(Winter 2023)		 Austin Baptist Church Mon 6:00pm - 8:00pm Jan 09 Mar 06
Intro to Film Making 12-18 Austin
(Winter 2023)		 Bethany United Methodist Church Thu 6:00pm - 8:00pm Jan 05 Mar 02
Intro to Voice: Becoming a Broadway Baby! 8-12 Austin
(Winter 2023)		 Bethany United Methodist Church Thu 6:00pm - 8:00pm Jan 05 Mar 02
Musical Theater Broadway Bound! (Daytime Homeschool Class) 8-12 Austin
(Winter 2023)		 Hope Chapel Fri 9:30am - 11:30am Jan 06 Mar 03
Musical theater Voice: Singing for Stage! (Daytime Homeschool Class) 8-18 Austin
(Winter 2023)		 Hope Chapel Fri 9:30am - 11:30am Jan 06 Mar 03
Scene Stealer Workshop 13-18 Austin
(Winter 2023)		 Bethany United Methodist Church Thu 6:00pm - 8:00pm Jan 05 Mar 02
The Art of Storytelling Through Dance: Rapunzel 10-15 Austin
(Winter 2023)		 Austin Baptist Church Mon 6:00pm - 8:00pm Jan 09 Mar 06
The Art of Storytelling Through Dance: Thumbelina 8-14 Austin
(Winter 2023)		 Bethany United Methodist Church Thu 6:00pm - 8:00pm Jan 05 Mar 02

CYT’s Triple Threat

Each class will be infused with character development and arts training for each student. Our goal is that every student leaves our classes feeling more confident in who they were created to be as well as their performing arts skills. CYT is recognized for excellence in theater arts training. Our uniqueness, however, goes beyond our programming and instead lies in our dedication to CYT’s Character, Culture, and Craft. These three elements comprise CYT’s Triple Threat.

CYT Character

CYT believes in building character on and off the stage, and that character is rooted in CHRISTIAN values such as love, joy, peace, kindness, perseverance, and dedication. Every instruction is rooted in these values.

CYT Culture

CYT’s culture is one of inclusiveness. We welcome all and remain committed to providing a vibrant and fun atmosphere with our focus on YOUTH. With this commitment comes a promise of providing family-friendly productions that are appropriate for young audiences.

CYT Craft

CYT is committed to providing excellent training in our THEATER craft by staying informed of National VAPA (Visual and Performing Arts) standards. CYT hires qualified Teaching Artists and Artistic Teams who consistently elevate our students’ knowledge of theater arts.

Have Questions?

Don't worry, we have answers! Just follow the link below to read through our Frequently Asked Questions. You can also send an email to webmaster@cytaustin.org and we will get back to you promptly!
 
Classes FAQ

Inquiring about scholarships?

CYT is pleased to offer financial assistance to families who would otherwise not be able to participate in our programs.  Click below for our scholarship application.  Please fill out the form and return it to webmaster@cytaustin.org.  Decisions will be made one week prior to class start.
Class Scholarship Application

I cannot even begin to describe the impact that CYT has had on my life. There I was, welcomed with open arms, despite all of the flaws I thought made me so undesirable.

Alexandra Gandy, CYT Student

Current Teachers:

Cameron MacLeod

My name is Cameron MacLeod, and I am a Visual Effects artist with a love for film. My entire family has been a part of CYT, and I'm so excited to be able to teach film! Film is something that feels like it has always been a part of my life. Even though I didn't start making shorts until I was 12, I had always admired the craft and passion of filmmaking. So, in the pursuit of creating awe-inspiring spectacle, I studied Visual Effects at Savannah College of Art and Design with a minor in Performing Arts. During my time in University I was the Visual Effects supervisor for 2 feature films, and the VFX Artist for even more short films. Though VFX is what I was trained in, Directing film has always been my passion.

Carol D'Avila

Carol Feille D’Avila owned and operated The AustinConservatory of Dance/of the Arts in 1991 which began as a neighborhood studio offering classical ballet, coupled with training in jazz, modern, character and tap dance. The program expanded to include a Musical Theatre curriculum in the late 90’s. Carol is also the Executive and Artistic Director of The Austin City Ballet 501©3 for 22 years and is a registered Member of The Royal Academy of Dance. After dancing with the North County Ballet Company in high school in California, under the direction of Victor Moreno of The Ballet Russe, she studied drama and dance at The University of Southern California, and graduated with a B.A. in Fine Arts Interdisciplinary from the University of California at Irvine. She is a member of the Round Rock Council of the Arts and served as President for 2 years. Carol has had the opportunity to choreograph for the musical GREASE at the Georgetown Palace Theater in the fall of 2021. She is feeling grateful to have had a career in her dream job, and plans to keep going until she can’t!

Cathie Sheridan

CATHIE SHERIDAN is an award-winning Austin singer, actor, dancer, music director, and choreographer. Over her 40+ year career, Cathie has created a wide variety of leading ladies in both professional and community theatre productions such as Unexpected Joy (Joy), Sister Act (Mother Superior), Sweeney Todd (Mrs. Lovett), Urinetown (Pennywise), Man of La Mancha (Aldonza/Dulcinea), Cats (Grisabella), Steel Magnolias (M’Lynn Eatenton), Death and the Maiden (Paulina Salas), Hairspray (Velma Von Tussle), Sweeney Todd (The Beggar Woman), Cabaret (Fraulein Kost), Anything Goes (Reno Sweeney), Nunsense (Sister Mary Hubert), Forbidden Broadway (20+ celebrities), All Shook Up (Matilda Hyde), and Into The Woods (Witch and The Baker’s Wife). In 2014, she “nearly blew the roof off the Dougherty Arts Center” as Margaret White in Austin Theatre Project’s production of Carrie the Musical, earning her the Best Featured Actress in a Musical award from both Broadway World Austin AND Central Texas Excellence in Theatre. She’s been fortunate to share Austin stages with Broadway veterans, Rebecca Luker, Jim Watson, Patrick Cassidy, Ruth Williamson, John Leslie Wolfe, and others, as well as understudying Stephanie J. Block as Nancy in Oliver! Cathie is also a private voice teacher in North Austin. When not teaching or performing, Cathie enjoys spoiling her grandchildren who lovingly refer to her as Glamma, and hanging out at home with her # 1 fan, her German Akita Shepherd, Chief!

Dawson MacLeod

Dawson is so excited to begin working with CYT Austin in their mission to bring inspiring, Christ-centered theatre to the young people in the Austin area. He credits Julie Novak for initially showing him the power of theatre and the arts, and ever since then he has committed himself to learn more about the form. Despite initially falling in love with musicals under the direction of Mrs. Novak, Dawson has since found a new love for the classic works, such as Greek theatre, Shakespeare, and Chekhov. When Dawson isn't involved in theatre, he spends his time combing the shelves at Half-Price Books, training to become a certified personal & business coach, and making digital art (including music) with his friends. - Graduate of Oklahoma City University. Recipient of a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts degree in Acting (Magna Cum Laude) while also minoring in Directing, Sound Design & Engineering, and Interfaith Studies. - National Michael Chekhov Association (NMCA) Teacher Certification candidate. - Certified Basic Actor Combatant (Single sword, Quarterstaff, and Unarmed) through Fight Directors of Canada.

Julie Novak

Julie Novak has been teaching and directing theater in a school and community setting for over 20 years. While teaching at the renowned Valley Christian Conservatory, in San Jose, California, she developed her own theater arts curriculum for students 6-8 grades and a curriculum for students 6-12 grade while teaching and directing at Summit Christian Academy in Austin, Texas. Julie has directed plays, musicals, one acts, musical reviews, competition scenes, concerts and benefit shows too numerous to count! She has been trained in a multitude of acting techniques, such as the Wheeler Recording Method, On Camera Acting, Improvisational Acting, various vocal genres and public speaking. Outside of her teaching career she has worked as an acting coach, speaker, ghostwriter, vocalist and done voice over studio work. Her greatest love is working with young people in the arts and helping them develop confidence and belief in their personal gift set. Julie began CYT Austin In January of 2015 after she felt called to take her passion to speak life and encouragement into young people through the arts, outside the walls of a school and into her community.

Ruth Foulkrod

Ruth is a 2022 graduate of Texas State University with a BFA in Theatre Performance and Production and a concentration in Directing. She has been acting since a young age, participating in youth theatre programs just like CYT! After studying musical theatre for most of her youth she transitioned to Directing in college, where she found she was passionate about bringing people together to tell an impactful universal story. She has collegiate and private training in acting, improvisation, directing, and voice and diction. Ruth is excited to begin teaching at CYT this fall, and bring her passion for the arts to the classroom.