Classes

Classes coming this Fall!

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. 

Two Class windows will be offered at Midtown Community Church on Tuesday evenings (4:30-6:30 PM & 6:45-8:45 PM). One class will be offered on Monday evening, with a time to be determined. Once a student has registered for a class they will be able to fill out an audition form for our Fall Production, Beauty and the Beast. 

Current Classes:

Class: Age: Chapter: Location: Day: Time: Start: End:
Advanced Acting: Name a More Iconic Duo 12-18 Santa Cruz
(Fall 2024)		 Midtown Community Center Tue 6:45pm - 8:45pm Sep 03 Nov 05
Beauty and the Beats: Dance Class for Beginners 8-11 Santa Cruz
(Fall 2024)		 Midtown Community Center Tue 4:30pm - 6:30pm Sep 03 Nov 05
Build-A-Character (Intermediate) 8-11 Santa Cruz
(Fall 2024)		 Midtown Community Center Tue 4:30pm - 6:30pm Sep 03 Nov 05
Making a Scene: Beginners Acting 8-11 Santa Cruz
(Fall 2024)		 Midtown Community Center Tue 4:30pm - 6:30pm Sep 03 Nov 05
Making it Up As We Go - Improv for all Levels! 12-18 Santa Cruz
(Fall 2024)		 Midtown Community Center Mon 5:00pm - 7:00pm Sep 09 Nov 05
Our Gang 6-7 Santa Cruz
(Fall 2024)		 Midtown Community Center Tue 4:30pm - 6:30pm Sep 03 Nov 05
Prop Shop (All Abilities) 12-18 Santa Cruz
(Fall 2024)		 Midtown Community Center Tue 6:45pm - 8:45pm Sep 03 Nov 05
Stand Out: Building your Best Audition (Intermediate) 12-18 Santa Cruz
(Fall 2024)		 Midtown Community Center Tue 4:30pm - 6:30pm Sep 03 Nov 05
Tale as old as time 4-5 Santa Cruz
(Fall 2024)		 Midtown Community Center Tue 4:30pm - 5:30pm Sep 03 Nov 05
Tale as old as Time (Extended Hour) 4-5 Santa Cruz
(Fall 2024)		 Midtown Community Center Tue 5:30pm - 6:30pm Sep 10 Nov 05
Tip Toes and Top Hats: Basic Dance and Movement 8-11 Santa Cruz
(Fall 2024)		 Midtown Community Center Mon 5:00pm - 7:00pm Sep 09 Nov 05
TRIPLE THREAT: Thriving In All Three (Intermediate) 12-18 Santa Cruz
(Fall 2024)		 Midtown Community Center Tue 6:45pm - 8:45pm Sep 03 Nov 05
Written and Directed by: YOU! (Beginner) 12-16 Santa Cruz
(Fall 2024)		 Midtown Community Center Tue 4:30pm - 6:30pm Sep 03 Nov 05
Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to the most frequent questions about our classes

First Class?

First Class?

These steps will help with the Registration Process!

Learn More
Teaching Artists

Teaching Artists

What does it take to be a CYT Teaching Artist?

Learn More

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

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!

Brooke Cohen

Brooke Cohen is happy to be a part of the CYT team! She has grown up in Scotts Valley and got her start in theater as a freshman at Scotts Valley High where she acted, choreographed, stage managed, and student directed. She went on to study early childhood education and has a passion for connecting with children and helping them grow. This lead to her teaching preschool for several years. Her love of theater reignited when she enrolled her daughter in our program and found joy in connecting with the CYT community. She jumped at the chance to bring her love of educating children and musical theater together and can’t wait for a great session!

Gwendolyn Sotelo Villarreal

Gwendolyn has been an enthusiastic participant in the arts since she was a child, including being a CYT Santa Cruz kid herself for several years! More recently, she graduated with a degree in Theatre Arts (specializing in Musical Theatre) in 2020 and has since been working as a film actor in Los Angeles.

Henrique Coura

Hello CYT fam! My name is Henrique Coura. I was born and raised in Brazil, where I earned a BA in Cinema, and a MA in Religious Studies. I have written and directed 20+ plays. I'm blessed to be a Kindergarten teacher at Del Mar elementary. I love to go to the movies, do archery, and play board games with my wife and daughter.

Isa Bella Litzenberger-Abbotts

Miss Isa has been passionate about dance since she was three years old, starting with tiptoeing, twirling, and tapping. She developed her skills in lyrical, jazz, tap, ballet, and acrobatics with the West Valley Dance Company and grew as a dancer on their competition team. Her love for ballet blossomed during her time at Agape Dance Academy. At Tiny Dancer Ballet School, Miss Isa transitioned from an assistant to a teacher and is now honored to co-direct the school with her mother Jill Litzenberger. She strives to create a fun and creative dance environment while emphasizing the fundamental values of dance. Miss Isa is looking forward to teaching her first class with CYT and sharing her enthusiasm for dance with her new students.

Jostin Barber

Hello Everyone! My name is Jostin Barber. I am a CYT Santa Cruz alumni, and a current student at Cabrillo College. While I was a student with CYT I was a member of the Improv team for 2 years, and since graduating I have taught many workshops (improv, acting, pizza spinning..etc), worked as an intern director, co-taught an improv class, led and coordinated games for many CYT camps, and served as the assistant stage manager for multiple CYT shows. CYT is a life changing organization and I am honored to be a part of this beautiful community. Can't wait to learn and laugh with you all! - Jostin Barber

Karriyma Pekary

Actor. Singer. Dancer. Wife. Mother of 3. Lover of Jesus and all things performing arts! After almost 15 years on and behind the stage, I moved over to TV and Commercial acting (as a new mom with less free time) and for the past 5 years have unexpectedly developed a love for on-camera acting! But theater will always be my first love. Happy 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.

Lucia Marheineke

Luci Marheineke was born and raised in Santa Cruz and is a CYT Santa Cruz Alumni. They currently attend Cabrillo College and recently performed in Cabrillo Stage’s summer show In The Heights. While this is Luci’s first time teaching a CYT class, they also work with CYT assisting in costumes, hair & makeup, props, and leading crafts during CYT Summer camps. Luci is thrilled to be teaching at CYT and sharing the joy of performing and creating art!

Mikey Bruce

Mikey is a local educator and musical theatre enjoyer based in Santa Cruz. His first involvement with CYT was in 2019, where he was involved with shows such as Hunchback of Notre Dame, Seussical, and Cinderella. Since the 21/22 season, he has been heavily involved with classes, shows, and summer camps. Some of his favorite moments are teaching “Our Gang” for 8 consecutive sessions and directing “Off to Neverland” summer camp. Recently graduating with an A.A. in Early Childhood Education from Cabrillo College and continued Child Development studies at SJSU, he is excited to pair his knowledge of education and passion for musical theatre in class!

Monika Hash

Monika is a CYT Santa Cruz alumni and is so excited to be teaching acting again! Monika enjoys directing shows (you may have seen The Lightning Thief last spring!), reading books of all kinds, writing poetry and plays, and playing board games. She is thrilled to be teaching with CYT!

Tera Torchio

Tera Torchio was raised in Scotts Valley where in high school she was president of the Thespian Society. She later attended The American Music Dramatic Academy in Los Angles. She's spent I’ve the last two decades exploring the professional world of theatre, film and television. Tera has been working for CYT over 12 years now getting the honor of directing past shows such as Seussical, Annie, Addams Family, Godspell, Alice in wonderland, James and the Giant Peach, and Matilda. She is extremely passionate about cultivating creativity in young people and showing them the love of God. A favorite quote: “A musical occurs when words can no longer suffice”- unknown