Looking to Join a show in Fall Session?

In order to participate in a CYT show, students need to first register for a class.  However this does NOT guarantee a spot in a show.  Once enrolled in a class, you will be sent an audition form that you must fill out in order to get an audition slot for Christmas Carol (Mainstage, 8-18) or Charlie Brown Christmas (Lite, 8-13). Both shows have a limited number of spaces and age caps to ensure the best possible experience for our students. If the show is already full, you will be placed onto a waiting list when signing up for your audition slot.

Please note these productions have additional costs and rehearsal times beyond classes starting the week after auditions.  Mainstage rehearses Fridays 4:30-8pm and Saturdays 9am-1pm while CYT Lite rehearses Saturdays 11am-4pm. Please review the Production Schedules for Christmas Carol and Charlie Brown Christmas prior to signing up for an audition spot to confirm your availability.  Conflicts with the production schedule may impact casting and Students are only allotted 2 conflicts with our show production schedule IF listed on your audition form for shows PRIOR to auditions. See our complete Conflict Policy.

How much does it cost?
  • CLASSES: Each class typically costs $360 per student with some classes having additional fees for materials noted at registration.
  • SHOWS: Each show has a production fee per student and those cast in the show may also need to pay for additional items such as make-up, shoes and undergarments based on how they are cast. 
    • CYT LITE Production Fee: $250 
    • Spotlight Production Fee: $300
    • Mainstage Production Fee: $350 
What is your cancellation/refund policy?
  • CLASS FEES: Registration fees for classes are non-refundable once the show has been cast and the cast list is posted.  If you choose to withdraw from classes before auditions, a refund may be granted, minus a $30 administration fee.
  • PRODUCTION FEES: Show production fees are non-refundable for any reason.  
All refunds are returned to the original form of payment. Camp/class changes are subject to availability.
Audition Info
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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Current Classes:

Class: Age: Chapter: Location: Day: Time: Start: End:
Beginning Broadway Dance 15-18 Santa Cruz
(Fall 2026)		 Midtown Community Center Wed 5:00pm - 7:00pm Aug 26 Oct 28
Beginning Tap Dance 8-11 Santa Cruz
(Fall 2026)		 Midtown Community Center Wed 5:00pm - 7:00pm Aug 26 Oct 28
Commedia dell’Arte 13-18 Santa Cruz
(Fall 2026)		 Midtown Community Center Wed 5:00pm - 7:00pm Aug 26 Oct 28
Dynamic Acting 12-14 Santa Cruz
(Fall 2026)		 Midtown Community Center Wed 5:00pm - 7:00pm Aug 26 Oct 28
Our Gang 4-7 Santa Cruz
(Fall 2026)		 Midtown Community Center Wed 4:30pm - 6:30pm Aug 26 Oct 28
Props and Sets Workshop 12-14 Santa Cruz
(Fall 2026)		 Midtown Community Center Mon 5:00pm - 7:00pm Aug 24 Oct 28
Radio Play & Voice Acting 8-11 Santa Cruz
(Fall 2026)		 Midtown Community Center Mon 5:00pm - 7:00pm Aug 24 Oct 28
Staged Reading of A Little Princess 8-13 Santa Cruz
(Fall 2026)		 Midtown Community Center Mon 5:00pm - 7:00pm Aug 24 Oct 28
Tech Crew 14-18 Santa Cruz
(Fall 2026)		 Midtown Community Center Mon 5:00pm - 7:00pm Aug 24 Oct 28

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:

Alice Letona

Alice Letona has over 20 years experience as a teacher in Santa Cruz City Schools and has been a part of the CYT community since 2018. She has worked in set construction, set painting/dressing and prop construction for various local theater organizations over the years and is excited to teach others about creating props for stage!

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.

Christina Cree

Christina Cree has had a wide range of experience in both teaching and performing. For the past 30 years, she has taught piano and violin as well as voice and choir, and beginning tap to adults, kids, and teens at Agape. Her theater performance credits run all the way back to SJ Children's Musical Theater (now CMTSJ), with lead and supporting roles. She has been in productions at MCT, SVPA as Ida in Honk!, Cabrillo Stage's Wizard of Oz and Scrooge!, dual roles as Carmen and Ursula in Sweet Charity, Clarissa in Agatha Christie's Spider's Web, and at City Lights Theater in the cast of Chicago. Most recently she has played in the pit orchestra for CYT, AAT, Cabrillo Stage and SVPA as well as being their Musical Director for Frog and Toad.

Cindy Gorski

Vocal Teacher, Singer, Actress Taught for 40 years Acting, Musical Theatre and voice Worked as a professional Actress and Singer in both Los Angeles and New York

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" & ALWAYS love to bust a move.

Shannon McDonough

Shannon Marie McDonough is a Santa Cruz mom to her darling second grader, Finn, and her 16 year old step son, Dylan. Shannon first fell in love with theatre at age 7. She has been performing, dancing, choreographing, singing, directing, and voice coaching for stage and screen ever since. Shannon set out for the big stage of NYC in 2001. She soon gained status as a professional actress with the SAG/Aftra Unions, performing in many shows including; Law & Order, Life on Mars, Ugly Betty, Nash Bridges, Trauma, several regional commercials, and a national SlimFast commercial. Shannon was a proud member of Emerging Artists Theatre Company during her time in Manhattan as well. In 2025, Shannon performed in “An Evening of Shakespeare” at The Actor’s Theatre in Santa Cruz, choreographed “Cinderella” for SVPA, and played roles in two films, “Arcadia”, and “Josephine” winner of the 2026 Sundance Film Festival in the Dramatic and Audience Choice catagories. After returning to the Santa Cruz area from NYC, Shannon began working with MusicalMe.Inc in 2015. Shannon has been a “Music Specialist with Neurodiverse Individuals” going on 12 years. Shannon was nominated and won “Music Educator of the Year” in 2024. Shannon travels to local schools to provide hands on music education with special needs children and adults from Santa Cruz County to Santa Clara County.. Shannon is passionate about creating a fun teaching and playing environment. Accept and include is a key concept for her in all things. Shannon wanted to create a way to bring joy to the community while combining her art, music, dance, and performance skills. Out of these concepts, Fairytale Endings Entertainment was born. As owner and primary operator, Shannon offers magical face painting and Princess parties, among other party offerings. The vision of Fairytale Endings Entertainment is to create a rich environment to support imagination, enchantment, love, and fun for the whole family! FairytaleEndingsEntertainment.com As a dancer and choreographer for almost 4 decades, Shannon is excited to dive in and create some new masterpieces of movement with the CYT family!

Sierra Thompson

I previously worked at Disneyland for several years, where I did costuming for their parades and shows, like Paint the Night, Magic Happens, Fantasmic etc. Before that I worked as a stage manager at VCHS. I love being a part of live theater in all its many forms, and I love being able to facilitate a safe and fun environment for creative exploration.