Classes

Fall 2023 Class Registration will open in July.

Advance your SKILLS with our fabulous classes!
Our qualified teachers can help your child grow in all disciplines of musical theater! Voice, Dance, Drama, Tech, and Behind the Scenes specialty classes are our forte'! CYT Classes help students get stronger and they are a great place to grow in relationships with others of like interests as well! Class sizes are limited to ensure individualized instruction and encourage a strong community in our learning environments.
Learn about our Classes!
If you have questions about classes, pre-requisites, or the registration process, please email your Class Coordinator:

East (Kingwood/Humble/Atascocita) area - Jen Shoemake at jen@cythouston.org
Houston (Spring/Klein/Woodlands) area - Dawn Leal at dawn@cythouston.org
North (Conroe/Willis/Montgomery) area - Pam Puente at pam@cythouston.org
Project Plays/Master Classes - Mary Ramsower at Mary@cythouston.org

Scholarships for 1/2 tuition on classes are available for those who qualify.
Scholarship Application

About

CYT Houston offers classes for students ages 5-18 throughout the school year. Classes include drama, voice, dance, and behind-the-scenes training in makeup, costumes, tech, and more. Classes are held for two hours once a week and run for nine consecutive weeks in Fall, Winter, and Spring sessions. Class sizes are small and offer supervision both inside and outside the classroom. Each session culminates in a high-energy showcase to demonstrate to family, friends, and fellow students the skills acquired. 
 
Parents enroll their children in CYT Houston classes so that they have the opportunity to learn, and that’s exactly what they do! By the end of the session, students will have gained new or improved theater arts skills in the area of emphasis. During the last class session, students will showcase their skills, and it is always exciting to see what they’ve learned! 

Tuition for most classes is $225.

Project Play classes are $295 which includes extra weeks of rehearsal, production elements and 2 tickets to the Play Festival performance of all Project Play classes.  Project Play classes are not offered in every session.

Refund policy - NO REFUNDS will be given after classes are purchased, or if in-person classes move to an online format due to government regulations or safety protocols.

NOTE: Students must be enrolled in a CYT Houston class and be between the ages of 8- 18 yrs old in order to be eligible to audition for a show. If a student auditions and is not cast in the show they try out for,  the student may audition for another show in one of our other areas. It is permissible to enroll in classes in one area and audition for a show in another area. However, if you choose this option, please be aware that there may be some overlapping dates with classes or showcases. A class showcase in one location could be scheduled during the same week as a Tech Rehearsal in another location; therefore, Showcase participation would not be possible. Please be sure to check the online calendar for any conflicts before registering. Unfortunately, there is no way to always avoid these schedule conflicts with multiple areas as we must structure our schedules around open venue dates.

Attendance Policy: It is especially important that your student attend classes regularly and that they do not miss the Showcase performance. Many showcase performances rely on every student being present, and other students are affected if one person is missing. CYT Houston is an Educational 501c3 organization, and the classes, and attendance in those classes, allow CYT to maintain our tax-exempt status. All communication regarding absences must be done by contacting the Class Coordinator. Quality performing arts education and character development are primary goals of CYT. Therefore, students should not plan to miss more than two classes. Special consideration may be granted regarding absences due to illness or a family emergency. In these instances, please make requests to the Class Coordinator in advance and as promptly as possible for consideration. Should your child’s attendance in classes (or rehearsals) exceed the maximum allowed absences, he/she is subject to replacement in the production in which they are currently cast and they may be removed from the class Showcase. If your child has a conflict during Showcase, please notify the Class Coordinator and the Instructor as soon as possible. 
There will be no refunds for classes or production fees if a student is removed due to absences.

***CYT reserves the right to make health policy changes as we see fit to preserve the health of the cast and ensure that our classes and shows have the best possible chance of getting through the entire session or run of the show.

CYT was one of the many things that has made me who I am today. Being a part of this organization brought me out of my shell and out into the musical world! Christian Youth Theater is a wonderful organization and one of the best decisions I've ever made!

Kayli Curda

Curriculum

CYT Houston offers a wide variety of classes that will enable students to gain valuable theater arts training, develop confidence, and make friends! CYT's goal is for our classes to be Vibrant, Imaginative, Inclusive, and Uplifting! 
 
There are currently over 50 different curriculum materials available in a variety of musical theater areas. Please note these classes vary per session. Check the Classes page to see what’s available now!

Showcase

Parents, friends, and relatives are invited to attend, free of charge, CYT Houston's Showcase performance on the last evening of classes. Showcase is the grand finale of each class session, during which every class makes a 5-10 minute presentation of something they have learned and rehearsed during the session. Don't miss the action!
 

Teaching Artists

At CYT Houston, a Teaching Artist's mission is to train and instruct students in such a way as to promote the development of character, self-esteem, and confidence. CYT Houston Teaching Artists 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 Houston Teaching Artists 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:

Allysa Leal

I have called CYT home for over a decade and I truly feel so blessed to be a part of such a wonderful community! Just as many of my past CYT mentors have made a difference in my life, I hope to do the same for those that I meet and teach throughout this organization. I have a vast experience with theatre including performance and backstage training and techniques. These skills have helped me as an individual, as well as a performer. In the fall, I will be heading to college to finish earning my Bachelors of Music with an emphasis in Musical Theatre!

Ashlie Driver

I hold two choral music degrees (UT Austin, UH Moores School of Music) and I love my jobs as Executive Director of CYT and Church Music Director. I have been involved as a CYT parent, director and teacher since the fall of 2013. My husband Steve, and children; Maddie, Travis, and Elise, feel incredibly blessed to have found CYT and become so involved...it is our second faith-family! I pray that everyone who becomes part of CYT will experience the joy and love that we have encountered here. To God be the Glory!

Dee Willis

I have been a part of CYT since 2010 when my daughter joined this wonderful organization. She is now all grown up with kids of her own and I'm so happy to still be with CYT! I have a Bachelor's Degree in Music in Therapy from Sam Houston State University and I LOVE to sing! During the past 10 years I have been honored to serve at CYT in the capacity of Costumer, Teacher, Director, Vocal Director, Tour Group Director, Show Coordinator, and CYT@school Coordinator. I'm so blessed that God has given me the opportunity to work with so many talented individuals and to share His love with others through CYT!

Emily Bauserman

I love all things dance, but my favorite is tap and ballet. I trained with many dance studios in Louisiana while growing up, and was on pointe by the early age of 9. I was captain of my high school dance line and was on our college dance line at Northwestern State University. I have been a dance instructor for many years. One of the most rewarding parts of being a dance teacher is watching a student go through the process from frustration to delight in learning a new skill. I also hold a certificate in Rhythm Works Integrative Dance that allows me to teach dance skills to children and adults with developmental disabilities. I love to vacation in the mountains of Colorado, and spend time with family. A fun fact about me is that I carried the Olympic torch in 1984 on horseback.

Hannah Yeates

Hannah Yeates has been a part of CYT since 2013 when she began performing and training in voice and acting. Since graduating, she has had the pleasure of working as an intern for CCT shows such as Beauty and the Beast and Hello, Dolly!. She is currently studying Music at Abilene Christian University and has been performing as a member of ACU's Opera Workshop and Choirs. Hannah continues to enjoy being involved in community theater, teaching kids, and encouraging them to find passion in the arts and themselves.

Hannah Cook

Hannah Cook has been teaching for two years. She has been in many shows with Lonestar Montgomery, CCT, and The Players Company. Hannah has been dancing for about ten years at various studios in the DFW and Houston area. She has studied dance at Lonestar Montgomery and is transferring to University of Houston to continue her studies. Whenever she is not on stage or in the dance studio, she enjoys drinking coffee while curled up with a good book.

Jenifer Shoemake

Hi! My name is Jen Shoemake, and I am beyond thrilled to be teaching drama in the North and coordinating classes for our awesome east side in Houston! I have been a part of CYT since 2015. I've served as a teacher, camp and show coordinator, committee member and Chair, Artistic Team intern and most importantly, parent! I grew up loving theater and feel right at home on the stage and behind the scenes. I am looking so forward to working with all of the children God is sending our way, and helping them glorify Christ through the arts!

Jordan Leal

Hey there, I am thrilled to be teaching with CYT this session! I have been a student at CYT for over 10 years and have performed in 20 CYT shows, as well as other productions. I feel extremely blessed to now have the opportunity to teach for such an incredible organization. I have had years of experience in dance, voice, characterization, and costuming. All of these things have helped me build a sturdy skill set in musical theatre.

Julie Broussard

I am blessed to teach Our Gang for CYT Houston East. I am a child of God, mother of three beautiful girls and wife to Aaron. I have spent my childhood singing, dancing and performing in school and church productions. At an early age, I knew that I was called to work with children. I earned a B.A. in Human Development and Family Studies, a M.A. in Psychology, and am a Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE). I have also previously worked as an elementary school teacher. It is my goal to teach with a loving heart, inspire creativity and encourage children to reach their full potential.

Lacy Billings

Lacy is a lifelong theater kid with her love for theater beginning in high school. After high school, she went on to perform in a number of plays in college. Beyond her theater experience, Lacy was in banking for 10 years and has been involved in youth and children’s ministry for the majority of her adult life working as a staff member and most recently as a children’s minister. But, her favorite job is being a stay-at-home/homeschooling mom of two hilarious kids! Her family found CYT in the spring of 2019 while looking for a small fun activity. Multiple classes, a few shows, and tons of friends later, she can say she and the kiddos have not only found the fun activity but a loving community. She is excited to put her passion for Jesus, teaching, and theater together!

Morgan Yovanovich

Howdy! I’m Morgan and am thrilled to be teaching classes for CYT! I’ve participated in dance, to include ballet, tap, jazz and partner dancing, since the age of 4 and in musical theater productions since the age of 12. I found my real theater family after moving to Texas my freshman year of high school and joining CYT where I participated in 17 productions throughout high school. My hope is that all students at CYT will be blessed with the same joy, friendships, love of theater and growth in faith that I’ve experienced here!

Nathan Clark

Nate Clark has been involved in theater for most of his life, performing with CYT Houston primarily. He had the opportunity to play roles such as Aladdin, in Aladdin Jr., Baron Bomburst, in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and Clayton, in Tarzan. In high school, Nate took an additional interest in set work and volunteering backstage. He pursued his undergraduate education at UT, studying drawing, sculpture, and digital media, while coming back to Houston in the summers to teach CYT’s Backstage Ninjas camp. Nate graduated in 2021 with a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts, having constructed an 8’ tall interactive steel robot sculpture for his senior thesis project. Since then he attended a semester of welding at TSTC, and currently works full-time in construction.

Paula-Beth Toller

Paula-Beth grew up loving the arts—acting, singing, dancing and playing the piano and flute. She began teaching piano at the age of 15 and has directed Children’s choirs throughout Texas and Illinois. She has appeared in multiple stage productions over the years and most recently served as the vocal director for Stars Theater Company from 2017-2021. She currently leads chapel for her church’s Mothers Day Out program and serves as a pianist and vocalist in her church’s worship team.

Stacey Brednich

Hello! My name is Stacey Brednich and although I am originally from Alabama, I am happy to call Texas my home. I have two degrees in education and spent around 15 years teaching in a mix of public and private schools. I even had the honor of teaching a year in Uganda. I am currently homeschooling my two daughters, Marin and Hollis, and love every minute of it. Many years ago, I had the pleasure of being an assistant director for a few middle school productions like James and Giant Peach and Jungle Book. Theater is a true joy and I am so excited to give your little ones a glimpse into the stage!

Stacy Hamsher

I have an Masters of Arts in Speech Communication and Theatre from Arkansas State University. I have been a part of many theatre productions but my favorite roles were Gwendolyn in The Importance of Being Earnest, Babe in Crimes of the Heart and Luciana in Boys from Syracuse. I am excited to share my love of theatre with my four children and all the children in CYT.

Sunnie Curda

Hi! I'm Sunnie, and I've been with CYT since I was 8 years old. I've been in over 37 shows and have been dancing for 6 years. I studied Ballet, Tap, Jazz, and Hip-Hop at TADA; and have worked professionally downtown with 'artFACTORY Houston'. I'm so excited and thankful to be able to share the joy that CYT gifted me when I was younger! Treat People with Kindness!