Classes

FALL 2023

Welcome to a New Season at CYT Santa Cruz! We have so many wonderful things in store and we can't wait to tell you all about them. First of all we are able to gather together at one site for all classes and rehearsals. It has been a long time since we were able to do this, and we are grateful to Midtown Community Center for working with us to make this possible. Secondly we have some new class offerings, including more targeted instruction to accommodate smaller age ranges. Our amazing Create team will be in full swing this session so if leadership is something you are interested in, please let us know. Take a look at all of the classes available, be sure to email Layne if you have any questions or want some guidance as to what is a good fit for you. We strongly encourage you to try something new, or a skill that you need to grow in. Finally we have some job openings and training opportunities available currently, contact Denise if you would like information.
FALL AT CYT SANTA CRUZ

Current Classes:

Class: Age: Chapter: Location: Day: Time: Start: End:
Acting Through Duets in Musical Theater 15-18 Santa Cruz
(Fall 2023)		 Midtown Community Church Wed 4:30pm - 6:30pm Aug 16 Oct 18
Advanced Theater Jazz Dance Dance Revolution The Remix 15-18 Santa Cruz
(Fall 2023)		 Midtown Community Church Wed 6:30pm - 8:30pm Aug 16 Oct 18
Advanced Voice: Harmonies and Dear Evan Hansen 12-14 Santa Cruz
(Fall 2023)		 Midtown Community Church Wed 6:30pm - 8:30pm Aug 16 Oct 18
Beginners Acting: Claiming & Sharing a Stage 12-14 Santa Cruz
(Fall 2023)		 Midtown Community Church Wed 6:30pm - 8:30pm Aug 16 Oct 18
Improv Skill Building 12-14 Santa Cruz
(Fall 2023)		 Midtown Community Church Wed 4:30pm - 6:30pm Aug 16 Oct 18
Makeup for the Stage, from BASIC to EXTRA 10-16 Santa Cruz
(Fall 2023)		 Midtown Community Church Wed 4:30pm - 6:30pm Aug 16 Oct 18
Our Gang: Matilda Medley 4-7 Santa Cruz
(Fall 2023)		 Midtown Community Church Wed 4:30pm - 6:30pm Aug 16 Oct 18
Theater Tech: The Jobs Behind the Curtains 15-18 Santa Cruz
(Fall 2023)		 Midtown Community Church Wed 6:30pm - 8:30pm Aug 16 Oct 18
Welcome to Drama! 8-11 Santa Cruz
(Fall 2023)		 Midtown Community Church Wed 6:30pm - 8:30pm Aug 16 Oct 18
Youth Acting: Radiant Storytelling 8-11 Santa Cruz
(Fall 2023)		 Midtown Community Church Wed 6:30pm - 8:30pm Aug 16 Oct 18
Youth Voice: Highlights from Aladdin Jr. 8-11 Santa Cruz
(Fall 2023)		 Midtown Community Church Wed 4:30pm - 6:30pm Aug 16 Oct 18
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

CYT COVID 19 Update

Welcome back to CYT Santa Cruz, we look forward to sharing our 2022-23 Season with each one of you. We will continue to protect the health and safety of every participant as we operate under the current Day Camps guidance. Because we are an after-school enrichment program and not an accredited school nor a licensed child-care facility there is no specific guidance that fits our program precisely. Therefore, we have been advised to follow the Day Camps Guidance.  

We have designed our Winter session to have large classrooms, outdoor areas, and/or larger spaces to allow more room for physical distancing, we continue using enhanced cleaning and sanitation measures, among other modifications designed with your safety in mind. We will respond to any changes in the guidelines as it becomes necessary. Current guidance for Covid illness is found here.

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:

Angela Lopes

Angela has been apart of CYT Santa Cruz since the very beginning back in 2011. She is "CYT Grown" and has been apart of many CYT shows both on and off stage. She recently graduated from Ithaca College with their BFA in Stage Management. she has been working as a freelance stage manager in California and New York for the past few years! Angela has a passion for working with kids and loves how theater helps kids grow through creativity while using their imagination. She is super excited to be back at CYT and to share knowledge onto the next generation of theatre artists!

Autumn Burchell

Autumn has been a part of the CYT Santa Cruz community since 2011, when she performed in her first show as a little duckling. Twelve years and many adventures later, she is tickled to be returning as a teacher for this generation of students! Autumn has her B.S. in Child Development and a diversity of experiences working with children in early childhood and extracurricular settings. She is energized by finding and facilitating student opportunities to be challenged, victorious and playful. Autumn is passionate about skillful storytelling through the arts and is fascinated by the way our stories point to our Creator.

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

Isabella Steigman

Hello! My name is Isabella Steigman and I am a local CYT alum! I have studied music and theatre for almost a decade. Throughout my vocal career so far I have studied under Dr. David Dehner, Emily Sinclair, Susanne Mentzer and many more. My base training is in classical music but I will always be a musical theatre kid at heart. I regularly sing for local churches and events around the Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito counties. I am so excited to return to CYT as a teacher for fall session!

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, and led and coordinated games for many CYT camps! 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

Marlene Bruce

Marlee is an upcoming professional actor currently based in Santa Cruz California. She just received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre and a dance minor at Chico State in the fall of 2022. Since graduating she worked as a stitcher in the Chico State costume shop and has been involved in professional productions such as Shakespeare’s “As you like it” in the summer of 2023 with Legacy Stage. Marlee has been involved in three productions with CYT as a young actor and is so excited to come back to join the team!

Michael Navarro

Michael is an experienced musical theater performer and alum of CYT Santa Cruz. He is currently studying at Cabrillo College while continuing to perform and work in the arts. He has assisted 4 CYT classes and helps develop the CYT @ schools program. Michael has performed for Monte Vista Christian School, All About Theater, CYT Santa Cruz, and Cabrillo Stage. He has spent time in New York and locally in Santa Cruz to help further develop his passion for teaching and the fine arts.

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 leading the Our Gang program and has seen multiple students through to their first auditions. During the 22/23 season, he was Intern Director for The Wizard of Oz and Director of the Off to Neverland summer camp. Recently graduating with an A.A. in Early Childhood Education from Cabrillo College, he is excited to pair his knowledge of education and passion for musical theatre in class!

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!

Sara Brown

Sierra Lebovitz

Sierra Joy Lebovitz grew up in CYT Santa Cruz and is now so excited to come back again as a teacher. She began learning makeup through doing CYT shows and since the age of 6, just can’t get enough! Sierra just received two BAs in Sociology as well as a Minor in Theater from Seattle Pacific University. Sierra’s focuses include: Makeup Design, Acting, Directing, and Promotions. She can’t wait to jump back into the performing arts with all of you!