What is a CYT?
CYT National Logo. Christian Youth Theater (CYT) is an American after-school theater arts education program for children ages 4–18. It offers classes in drama, dance, and singing and performs 3-9 productions a year, in each region of the country. Many regions have summer touring groups, including improvisational theatre teams.
Is CYT in Japan?
CYT also hopes to start a location in Japan. In July 2020, multiple students from the San Diego branch came forward with allegations of sexual abuse by CYT teachers. The students also claimed that they were ignored by the Russell family when they brought the allegations to them in the mid-2000s.
Overview
Christian Youth Theater (CYT) is an American after-school theater arts education program for children ages 4–18. It offers classes in drama, dance, and singing and performs 3-9 productions a year, in a collection of branches around the country. Many branches have summer touring groups, including improvisational theatre teams. CYT is an arts educational organization and not affiliated with any church, nor are participants required to be members of any particular church, denomina…
History
CCT was founded by Paul and Sheryl Russell and Marjorie Blyth in San Diego, California. CYT was later founded in 1981 as an after-school performing arts program.
Today, there are over 20 CYT branches across the United States, including: Spokane, WA, Anderson, SC, Denver, CO, Kansas City, MO, Atlanta, GA, Vancouver, WA, Nashville, TN, Fredericksburg, VA, Chicago, IL, Tucson, AZ, Phoenix, AZ, Northern Idaho and New York, NY. CYT also hopes to start a l…
Reports of Child Sexual Abuse
In July 2020, multiple students from the San Diego branch came forward with allegations of sexual abuse by CYT teachers. The students also claimed that they were ignored by the Russell family when they brought the allegations to them in the mid-2000s. The San Diego branch closed for a time, before restarting production less than a year later, with Russell family still in leadership positions.
Notable alumni
• Jason Russell co-founder of Invisible Children, Inc.
• Michelle Williams, film actress
• Ryan Hanson, actor, Veronica Mars
• Ashley Tesoro, Film & TV actress, singer
External links
• Official website