Classes

Spring Session!

Register today for Spring Programming with CYT Santa Cruz! From the Alice in Wonderland Workshop offering opportunities for Teen Vocalists, Our Gang, and younger musical theater performers to our multi-day Workshops with alumni and special guests, our Spring has something for everyone! With the business of the Spring season, we hope that you will join us for these exciting lower commitment training and performance opportunities to keep your performance skills growing and elevated. We can't wait to sing, dance and act with you!
Join Director and Alum, Stephen Pickens for an opportunity to receive one-on-one acting training in theater scenes from both straight plays & musical theater shows, punctuated by a showcase with family & friends! This one-weekend intensive is the perfect opportunity to elevate your acting skills to the next level.
Register Today!

We're Hiring Teaching Artists For 2025 Fall 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:
One-Weekend Acting Intensive: Mastering Scene Work From Page to Performance 12-18 Santa Cruz
(Spring 2025)		 Midtown Community Center Sat 4:00pm - 8:30pm Apr 25 Apr 27
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!

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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

Current Teachers:

Stephen Pickens

Stephen Pickens is a San Diego-based creative professional with a passion for the performing arts. As a CYT Santa Cruz alumni himself, Stephen knows firsthand the impact that quality theater arts training can have on young people and has spent much of the last decade teaching and directing youth theater. He is passionate about helping students reach their creative potential and pursue excellence both as artists and people. While working as a designer and art director by day, Stephen continues to teach youth acting and improv classes while performing locally.