Christian Youth Theater Grows on the Southside

Writer / Kris Parker | Photographer / Libby Grazian

Christian Youth Theater is an after-school theater arts training program for students ages 4 to 18 years old. Originally putting down its roots in San Diego in 1981, it has since expanded to become the largest youth theater in the country and has affiliates right here in Indianapolis.

In 2011, CYT Indy expanded and began offering additional camps, classes and shows that are more accessible for students on the south side of Indianapolis.

Angie Ward, whose son Taylor has been a participant in CYT Indy since the family moved here in 2012, said, “Families who participate in CYT locally become part of a much larger and very supportive national family. In fact, one T-shirt says, ‘CYT: Awkwardly Closer Than Family.’ The theater community is very close-knit. It’s nice to know that by being involved with CYT Indy, we are connected to something even bigger.”

After-school activity
Designed as an after-school activity, there are three 10-week sessions each school year: one session each in the fall, winter and spring. The two-hour-per-week classes offer a variety of opportunities. “Students can take classes on a variety of topics from voice, drama and dance to costuming and stage makeup. There are many different classes and they rotate each session, with new ones continuously offered. Even my 4-year-old has a class offered to him that gently introduces the basics of musical theater and gives him a chance to perform,” said Libby Grazian, who is also the area coordinator for CYT South.

At the end of each session, a showcase performance allows students the chance to display what they have learned over the 10-week session. With an audience consisting of friends and family members, as well as the other classes, students display what they took away from the class.

In addition to sharpening old skills or learning new ones, students enrolled in classes may try out for a Broadway-style musical. Alternatively, if they prefer to stay out of the limelight, there are many positions to be filled backstage, including, but not limited to, lighting, props or sound booth. With assistance from adults as directors and other managing roles, children constitute the cast, as well as the crew, for musicals performed for the community.

Summer camp
To continue students’ involvement over the summer, CYT offers various camp opportunities. Camps are also a terrific way to determine a child’s interest in theater without having a 10-week commitment during the school year. “We have been involved with CYT since my children attended summer camp. After the first day of camp, they were both so excited. They came home and were singing and dancing. At the end of the week, they put on a fantastic showcase for all of the parents. From that point on, we were hooked and have been involved ever since,” said Joleen Mutchman, whose children have been a part of CYT since 2011.

Why CYT?
Even though there are other theater opportunities available for students, CYT South stands out. “Kids are taught by teachers with lots of experience and credibility, and the shows are very good, and [rehearsals are] all packed into Fridays and Saturdays. Plus, none of that backstage drama!” said Taylor Ward, a CYT participant since 2012 and current high school freshman.

In addition to being experienced performers who not only love working with students, the teachers also have a deep love for the Lord. “The people make the difference. CYT tends to draw families that are invested in their kids and want to be a part of what they are doing. The teachers, directors and choreographers pray with and for the kids and teach them that the stage is not ‘all about them’ but about serving others and bringing glory to God through their gifts,” said Grazian. “The kids are simply amazing, and I have been brought to tears on several occasions by their welcoming attitudes and the love that they show one another. Students who have never been able to find their ‘niche’ can thrive at CYT. Our kids and directors help them to feel loved and important.”

However, it is not just the high-quality productions and professional instructors that keep people returning to CYT. CYT offers the chance for total family participation. “One of the things I value most about CYT is that the whole family is involved in the creation of a musical theater production. One of CYT’s goals is creating wholesome family entertainment, and I really respect the fact that in CYT, it’s an intergenerational effort. Grandparents sew costumes and create props. And parents make costumes, build scenery and publicize the show, while the young people rehearse the show. It is a family effort to bring the show to life. Children and parents draw closer, working together for the common artistic goal of producing wholesome family entertainment. It can be a wonderful experience,” said Kathy Phipps, the mother of several CYT participants as well as a class teacher and production director.

In addition to having a family-friendly atmosphere, it is a family-like environment in which children feel safe to give their all because they are loved and supported by the group. “Everybody is so nice, and I like making new friends. I also like being onstage and singing and dancing,” said Talia Grazian, age 10, who has participated in camps, classes and three CYT South productions.

“What I love most about CYT is the fact that it allows me to let go of the worries and problems I have in everyday life. I have Asperger’s syndrome, which is a form of autism. This means that I have trouble communicating with people, and I get overwhelmed and anxious in stimulating situations. With CYT, I am allowed to immerse myself into my character, and I don’t have to think about the little things that make me anxious. I can be a different person onstage, and I like to take good character traits that my characters have and the confidence that I have onstage and apply it to my own life,” said Hannah Phipps, age 14, who has been with CYT South for three years. “We are all extremely tight, and I feel like the friends I’ve made with CYT are my family. Everybody is welcome, and I love how the teenagers are like protective siblings of the younger kids.”

For information about upcoming summer camps, check out the CYT Indy website at cytindy.org. CYT is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) educational organization, which is primarily funded through tuition, performance ticket sales and outside contributions.

About Kristen Parker
A life-time resident of the Center Grove area, Kris graduated from IU Bloomington with a degree in Journalism. She is the blessed mother of two active, home-schooled boys, and is passionate about her faith, her family and making her budget stretch.