Classes

Fall Session Starts in August!

CYT Classes ensure that your students consistently improve their skills as performers in all theater arts.  CYT Santa Cruz offers classes with a high level of intentionality and excellence. Classes are available for students of any level of experience, with offerings ranging from drama, dance, voice, and improv, to specialty classes like makeup design, puppetry, and more. We encourage each student to take a variety of classes each season. 

Multiple class windows are being offered at Midtown Community Church on Monday evenings (5-7 PM) and Wednesday evenings (4:30-6:30 & 5-7). Once a student has registered for a class they will be able to fill out an audition form for one of our Fall Productions, The Little Mermaid (Mainstage, 8-18) or Elf (Spotlight, 13-18). The Fall Showcase (and last day of class) will be Wednesday, October 29.

If you are cast in the Spotlight Show Elf Jr. you will be enrolled in the "Spotlight Class: Elf" for rehearsals. This is the class and show requirement. If there is another class you are interested in taking (that doesn't conflict with the Monday Spotlight class) as well as being in Elf Jr., you are welcome to pay to enroll in said class in addition to the class for Elf Jr.
 

We're Hiring Teaching Artists For 2026 Spring Session!

Join our vibrant, imaginative, inclusive, and uplifting.community of CYT Santa Cruz as a Teaching Artist. Our ~8-10 week long class sessions are held during the school year for students 4-18. We are seeking educators skilled in various musical theater skills including singing, dancing and acting. This also includes specialty production skills like Stage Management, FX design, or playwriting. If you love Theater Arts education, check out our form by clicking the button below, to learn more about the potential of teaching a class at CYT.
Share Your Interest!

Current Classes:

Class: Age: Chapter: Location: Day: Time: Start: End:
Advanced Acting: The Art of Realism 15-18 Santa Cruz
(Fall 2025)		 Midtown Community Center Wed 5:00pm - 7:00pm Aug 20 Oct 29
Beginners Improv: Yes and... 8-11 Santa Cruz
(Fall 2025)		 Midtown Community Center Wed 5:00pm - 7:00pm Aug 20 Oct 29
Intermediate Acting 11-13 Santa Cruz
(Fall 2025)		 Midtown Community Center Wed 5:00pm - 7:00pm Aug 20 Oct 29
Our Gang: Little Mermaid 4-7 Santa Cruz
(Fall 2025)		 Midtown Community Center Wed 4:30pm - 6:30pm Aug 20 Oct 29
Specialty Class: Theater design 8-18 Santa Cruz
(Fall 2025)		 Midtown Community Center Mon 5:00pm - 7:00pm Aug 18 Oct 29
Spotlight Class: Elf 13-18 Santa Cruz
(Fall 2025)		 Midtown Community Center Mon 5:00pm - 7:00pm Aug 18 Oct 29
Studio Class: Show Choir 8-18 Santa Cruz
(Fall 2025)		 Midtown Community Center Wed 5:00pm - 7:00pm Aug 20 Oct 29
Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to the most frequent questions about our classes

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First Class?

First Class?

These steps will help with the Registration Process!

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Teaching Artists

Teaching Artists

What does it take to be a CYT Teaching Artist?

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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.
Current Teachers

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!

How to Register

Set up a Family Account before you register for classes:
  1. Click on the "person" icon at top right corner of our website (to right of "DONATE" on any page).
  2. Click on "NEW ACCOUNT" in the pop up window.
  3. Fill out the information required, with the parent's info first.
  4. To add a child to the account, click on the +Family Member button.
If you are already have a Family Account, then (while logged in) follow these steps:
  1. Go to the "Classes" page
  2. First select your "Student's Age"
  3. Click on the Class Name of your choice
  4. Click on the "Register Now" button
  5. Select the family member that will be in the class
  6. You will now have an option to sign up for audition times. Auditions are not required.
  7. If you don't sign up now, you will have that option later in your family account
If you have any questions about classes reach out to our Class Coordinators,
Jodie Couchman or Ana Bevir. 

Current Teachers:

Amber Herfurth

My name is Amber and I am a Santa Cruz native! I spent 13 years in Los Angeles going to school for musical theater and found myself sporadically doing film and television. After having my daughter in 2021, we moved back home to lead a more peaceful existence than what LA had to offer. My love of theater and acting is still strong and I'm always delighted when it crosses my path, especially in teaching form!

Brittney Mignano

I am so excited to share my love of the performing arts with the CYT community. My greatest passions have always been my work with children and my work in theater. I've been a nanny for over 20 years, taught at local preschools, worked as a homeschool teacher, led Shakespeare camps, founded improv clubs and performed with a variety of theater companies in Norther CA. Past roles of mine include: Little Red Riding Hood - Into the Woods, Marta-Company, Sara Jane Moore - Assassins, Julia -1984, Wendy - Peter Pan and Juliet - Romeo and Juliet. I'm a California native and received my degree in acting for the stage from the American Academy of Dramatic Art in New York. Off stage I enjoy gardening, baking, volunteering, camping and spending time with my wonderful nephews. My main focus is to continue to support diversity and accessibility in the performing arts community.

Brooke Novak

Brooke Novak has been an actor, coach, teacher and director in the Bay Area, San Diego, Los Angeles, and New York. She has performed under Tony award winning directors on some of the most acclaimed regional theatres in the country. She has received nine nominations for her directing work and multiple awards (including “teacher of the year”) while at Valley Christian High School. Brooke’s passion is bringing what she has learned to young people, helping them combine excellent training with their faith! Brooke is a graduate of Occidental College (BA), the USD Old Globe/Professional Actor Training Program (MFA), and a proud member of Actor’s Equity.

Erin Neckers

My name is Erin Neckers. I have trained at a variety of theaters which include but are not limited to ComedySportz and Upright Citizens’ Brigade. I also have over 10 years of performance experience at San Jose Comedy Theater and with the improv troupe ComedySportz. Additionally, I have over 10 years of experience working with youth in both educational and extracurricular settings. I am excited to work with you!

Erin Loofbourrow

Hey y’all! I’m Erin, and I’m thrilled to be working with CYT again. As the child of a musician/performer in Nashville TN, I fell in love with the stage at a young age. My high school had an excellent musical theater program where I found a sweet community to grow. I continued training at Belmont University where I earned a Dance degree. I moved to Santa Cruz at 23 and, a couple years later, thankfully found CYT Santa Cruz! My first show was The Addams Family. This lead to other opportunities to teach class, help with camp, and finally, choreographing with Alice in Wonderland and James and the Giant Peach. Most recently, I assisted with Beauty and the Beast and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and that musical theater bug bit me again! So glad to be back.

Layne Ahlstrom

Layne, a singer, actress and director, is passionate about the healing and expression that comes through performance art. Layne performed and produced theater productions throughout high school and temporarily as a theater minor at Seattle University. Layne views theater as a great opportunity for authentic empathy. Through her art, she aims to foster a healthy, full, expressive, loving understanding of each other and ones self. She loves spending time with her goofy family, her groovy kitty "Disco" & living/working in San Francisco with her friends! She also ALWAYS love to bust a move.

Patrick Pulpan

Hey dancers, my name is Patrick! I'm a bay area native who started dancing at the age of 10 at Elaine's Dance Studio on Soquel. My stage career began in Cabrillo Stage's "CHICAGO" and "Beauty & the Beast" staring as the iconic dancing salt shaker. After highschool, I moved to Los Angeles to attend the American Music and Dramatics Academy, studying music theater. I recently moved back to SC after being in New York City the past four years doing stand up comedy and continued my training. I'm overjoyed to be teaching dance classes this Fall!

Tracy Barber

Tracy is so excited to share her passion for and experience in dance through instructing the performers of CYT. She grew up dancing and performing on stage throughout her school years training in various dance styles with a special focus on Jazz and Tap. In addition to investing in and supporting her children as they worked with CYT and other local performance organizations over the years, Tracy continued her Musical theater journey at Kianti's Pizza and Pasta Bar, a locals favorite restaurant that she co-owns. Because of her love for theatre, she created a dinner and a dance show experience every Friday and Saturday night. This turned into over 20 years of weekend performances varying in style, which she has directed and choreographed, starring her very own employees. Get excited to bust a move, and I'll see you on the dance floor!

Zina Urquhart

Zina Urquhart has a long history working in the performing arts world of Santa Cruz County as a performer, music director, and vocal coach, most recently as Vocal Director of Shrek with CYT (Summer 2025) and performing in A Year With Frog and Toad with Scotts Valley Performing Arts (Winter 2024). Zina has taught choral music and vocal jazz in Santa Cruz County Schools since 2002, and musically directed youth theater with All About Theater, Kirby School, and Santa Cruz High, more recently working on a few adult theater productions with MCT (Evil Dead, Fall 2024), and Renegade (Heathers, Fall 2024). She has performed with Opera San Jose, Cabrillo Stage, Scotts Valley Performing Arts, West Coast Voices (Cabrillo), and independently. She currently runs her own voice studio, Soula Vocal Studio, offering voice lessons, coaching, workshops, and masterclasses to children, teens, and adults, and has recently expanded into the Healing Arts as a Sound Practitioner and Facilitator-offering sound baths, workshops, and retreats with an emphasis on the healing properties of voice and vocal empowerment.