About our Shows

During each session, every CYT area produces a Broadway-style musical for the community. Past shows have included: Annie, Cinderella, Tom Sawyer, You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Oliver, and Seussical the Musical.

Enrollment in class provides students ages 8-18 the opportunity to audition for the current production. Roughly seventy students are cast in each CYT production. Additionally, about twenty students will serve on the crew of each show, since CYT is children’s theater for children and by children.

Since CYT is a family oriented organization, parents of each student cast in the production are asked to serve on one of several production committees. Without the support of parents, CYT could not produce high-quality, community-pleasing shows.

Through theater arts education, families are learning what it means to be a part of a thriving larger community. The common goal of theater productions with CYT’s particular model of total family involvement lends itself well to developing stronger family ties in each family, as well as stronger community ties between families. Each production is the result of the dedication and work of hundreds of individuals pitching in to create something truly extraordinary.

School Day Performances

School Day performances are specifically planned for the convenience of schools and field trips. Most of our main stage shows have seats available for your school group.

School Day Show times are always 9:30 am and 11:45 am. All school day performances run 90 minutes and do not have an intermission.

2011-2012 Season School Day Shows:

Beaverton
Fall - The Jungle Book             Thursday and Friday, November 18th and 19th
Winter - Seussical the Musical
Spring - Frog and Toad            Thursday, March 31st and Friday, April 1st

Portland
  Fall - Oliver
  Winter - The Wizard of Oz
  Spring - Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Vancouver - Fort Vancouver High School
   Fall - Willy Wonka      Tuesday, November 8th
   Winter - Narnia      Tuesday, March 6th
   Spring - Sleeping Beauty     Tuesday, May 22nd

Vancouver East - Washburn Performing Arts Center at Washougal High School
   Fall - Disney's My Son Pinocchio   Thursday, December 8th
   Winter - Bye Bye Birdie                  Thursday, March 1st
   Spring - Pridelands                          Thursday, May 31st

Ticket Prices

Groups of 10 to 99: $6 each
Groups of 100 or more: $5 each
(Get one free ticket for every 15 paid tickets.)

Vancouver School District teachers may request FREE tickets for their students to attend shows that take place Fort Vancouver High School. There is a limited number of tickets available for each show.

All tickets $10 at the door

Email to reserve seats today.

The Audition Process

Registration for your audition is simple. To secure a spot for your audition, simply arrive at the audition location between the times designated for the particular show you’d like to audition for. For example, if your auditions are held between 3:00 and 6:00 pm and you sign in between those times, you are guaranteed an audition slot. If, however, you arrive at 6:01 pm, you will not be allowed to audition.

Upon submitting all the appropriate materials (see What Do I Bring To Auditions?) at audition registration, auditioners are assigned a number. Auditions then take place in groups of 10. For example, numbers 1-10 sit in their designated spots in the audition room. After this group is seated, no one will be allowed to enter or exit the room while the group of ten is performing their individual auditions. This helps to keep unnecessary distractions to a minimum during the auditions. After the group of ten completes their individual auditions, the doors will open up and audience members will be able to come and go as they wish. Then the next group of auditioners are called to be seated and the process repeats. This continues until all who have registered to audition have performed.

In order to make the audition process as fun and supportive as possible, parents and friends are invited to watch auditions to support those auditioning. You may choose to watch as many groups of auditions that day as you would like. This can be a great learning experience. Even those who aren’t auditioning are encouraged to watch.

Auditioning Tips

· PREPARATION: Prepare the best audition that you can. For call backs, research the show and learn about the parts. You can even learn the music by checking out a show CD from the CYT office.

· BEHAVIOR: Directors want to work with people who behave well, and they will ask your Area Coordinator and others about you. Don’t harm your chances of being cast in a show by poor behavior in class, at rehearsals, at shows, and even at auditions and call backs (it happens!)

· VOCAL TRAINING: Take CYT classes and/or private voice instruction to improve your vocal range and performance. Remember how important enunciation and projection are for musical theater.

· DANCE TRAINING: Lack of dance ability often keeps good singers and actors from getting parts in musical theater. Keep practicing and learning. Move with energy!

· COLD READINGS: Show the director good character development and appropriate emotion at call backs.

Other audition tips
• Keep your song limited to one minute or less.
• In most cases an upbeat song is best. Show enthusiasm and energy.
• Make sure the song is in the right key for you.
• Do not sing a song from the show you are auditioning for.
• If you can walk around your house singing the song, it will probably work for you.
• If possible, have a rehearsal tape made in order to practice.
• Introduce yourself with energy and confidence. Hi! My name is _____, I am ___ years old and I’ll be singing _____ from ____.
• Project, make eye contact with the directors and audience, and be well prepared.
• Sell yourself and your song. If you are not a singer, that’s ok; give the directors a show and you will win them over.
• Keep the use of props and costumes to a minimum.
• Smile, smile, smile and energy, energy, energy!
• There are some things you can do absolutely nothing about which may have a huge bearing on casting. These include your height, your coloring, your overall “look” and what part you sing (soprano, alto, etc.), as well as what specific parts are available in a particular production. There are also some factors that depend on other people. How tall are the other actors who have auditioned? What is the director’s “vision” of physical types for various parts? How is the “chemistry” between possible on-stage couples?

Do You Have Some Audition Song Suggestions?

Easy Songs (suggested for kids ages 8-12):
• “A Spoonful of Sugar” from Mary Poppins
• “Consider Yourself” from Oliver
• “Tomorrow” from Annie
Anything from Disney animated classics

Medium Songs (suggested for new CYT students ages 8-18):
• “Gary Indiana” from Music Man
• “Getting to Know You” from The King and I
• “I Feel Pretty” from West Side Story
Anything from classic Broadway composers: Rogers & Hammerstein, Lerner & Lowe, Frank Loesser, Harnick & Boch

Advanced Songs (suggested for experienced students, ages 14-18):
• “Astonishing” from Little Women
• “I Dreamed a Dream” from Les Mis
• “Save the People” from Godspell
appropriate songs from contemporary Broadway & off-Broadway composers: Stephen Schwartz, Stephen Sondheim, Jason Robert Brown, Andrew Lloyed Webber

It is recommended that you select a song from musical theater or a Disney movie.
Pop songs and worship songs are not good audition choices.

Where Do I Get CYT Audition Tracks?
Jonni Glaser, a CYT parent in the San Diego, provides services to CYT kids that helps them select and customize and audition song for you. For services provided and costs, please go to www.AChristianDonationProgram.com Accompaniment tracks can also be found at Amazon.com or iTunes and sheet music can be found at Beacocks and SheetMusic.com. You can also find many karaoke tracks from pocketsongs.com.

Callbacks

What Happens At Callbacks And What Part Do They Play In The Casting Process?
Call backs are a way of taking another look at a student with a specific part(s) in mind. Students will dance and sing with music from the show and read from the show script. You do not have to prepare anything for callbacks, although listening to the Broadway soundtrack from the musical and reading the script can make you more prepared.

Dress comfortably, relax and enjoy this step of the audition process!

Just because you are not called back does not mean that you are not being cast in the show. Also, just because you are called back does not mean you are automatically cast in the show.

How Will I Find Out If I’ve Been Called Back?
Cast call back details will be posted on the CYT website late Friday night. If you cannot access the website, make arrangements with a friend who can.

Closed Callbacks: What Does This Mean?
The term closed call backs means that only the artistic team can watch. If you are called back, you are simply dropped off and picked up at your assigned times.

What Do I Bring If I Get Called Back?
Wear comfortable clothes and comfortable, non-slip shoes (no flip flops or clogs please). Bring a water bottle. If your call back happens to occur over lunch time, you may bring a sack lunch with you. Once call backs have begun, parents will not be able to drop off a sack lunch.

Cast lists are posted the day after callbacks on the website.

Parent Involvement

Christian Youth Theater is a family-oriented organization dedicated to providing entertaining activities centered around the family. CYT realizes that without the support of each parent, it could not offer the high quality productions it does. Therefore, a parent of each child cast in the show is required to serve on one or two of the committees by performing tasks related to committee work or chairing a committee. Parents are asked to sign the audition form indicating their intent to commit themselves, as well as their children, to making the production a success. We truly appreciate every effort put forth by each parent. (Please see the Parent Committee Form for a description of each committee.) If a parent fails to attend the required Parent Meetings or Move-In or does not fulfill their committee responsibilities, the next time their child(ren) are enrolled in a CYT class session, they will not be eligible to audition for that session’s production.

If children from the same family are cast in different shows during the same session, they must have a parent or gaurdian on a parent committee(s) in each show.

The Casting Process

The Casting Process
Casting a show is a complex process. Every show has a different team of people who work hard and long to cast the show. The director, choreographer, and music director watch all of the auditions on Friday then go to a private place to decide who to call back. After these decisions are made, the Area Coordinator, who serves as secretary through the process, posts the call back list on the callboard section of the website while the artistic team work out a schedule of events for Saturday’s call backs.

On call back day, those called back are asked to do a variety of things depending on the show. Usually this involves dancing, singing, and cold readings. Some kids are busy the whole time, while others observe for most of the process.

After call backs, the artistic team goes to a private place to cast the show. The Area Coordinator brings lunch and again serves as secretary and impartial observer of the process. Usually, the leads are chosen first, then the chorus, then the backstage crew. This process takes many hours of deliberation and prayer to complete. In the end, the director and the artistic team have chosen the cast that they feel will best perform the parts available. This is not an easy decision, and it comes with much debate and care as each child’s audition forms and pictures are looked over and considered many times.

We know that every team would cast the same show a different way. That is part of the fun of the process. Each individual has a different perspective that is fun to see played out – often with lots of pleasant surprises.

How to handle Disappointment

Several times each year auditions bring anticipation, excitement, nervousness, and disappointment to many of those auditioning for CYT productions. The fact of the matter is…auditions are not fair. With so many students auditioning and a limited number of roles, decisions are always extremely difficult for those casting the show.

There are three ways that one can react to disappointment. One way is to give up and never try again. The second way is to say to yourself, “This is something that I really want, and I’m going to work on my skills so that the next time I audition, I will have a better chance of landing a part.” The third response could be to say, “Acting and singing aren’t really my thing. I don’t have a driving desire to be on stage, but I would like to be involved in another aspect of the show.”

How one reacts to disappointment is a tremendous test of character. Although disappointment is also painful, it can bring about a new understanding of goals and what else God might have in store for you. When disappointment comes your way, whether it be in auditioning or in another area of your life, take a deep breath, open your eyes, and find other opportunities for growth and friendship where you are.

Rehearsal Information and policies

Cast members are required to be at all rehearsals for which they are scheduled. If an absence is necessary, in case of illness or emergency, it will only be excused if the Area Coordinator is called for permission. Those missing more than two rehearsals may not be able to participate. Conflicts listed on audition forms will be considered as excused absences if the student is cast.

• Cast members may not leave early or come late to rehearsals.
• Cast members will be committed to up to approximately 48 hours of rehearsal time before Move-In and dress rehearsal week.
• Cast and crew members are required to miss one or two days of school for performances (see specific dates and times for the show you are cast in) – check your calendars. Parents are required to attend two parent meetings, Move-In and to serve on a production committee(s).
• Crew members will be required to attend final rehearsals, Move-In, all dress rehearsals and performances. Some positions may require more time commitments. Please refer to Crew Descriptions.

Production fee information

Fee Information
There are some fees necessary to participate in a CYT show. Some are mandatory and some are optional. CYT Vancouver / Portland is a non-profit organization. We strive to make our theater class and production fees as reasonable as possible so as many families as possible can participate. We only charge the fees necessary to provide quality classes, theater training, and productions. We do not charge fees to make a profit. Before you and your child decide to audition and participate in a CYT production, please review our fee schedule (some required, some optional).

Required Fees
Production Fee $65: Each child that is cast in a CYT production must pay a production fee. This fee partially covers the cost of our sets, props, costumes, lighting and sound. When cast in a CYT production your child also receives many additional hours of group and individual instruction time. This experience and training is tremendously valuable.

Additional Costume Fees (varies) : Although their costumes are provided, families are responsible for specific costume parts such as shoes, tights and undergarments.

Make-Up : Each child that is cast in a CYT production must purchase a professional quality stage make-up kit. We provide an opportunity for ordering these kits at a parent meeting. These kits will last you for many shows

Back-Stage Box : Each child cast in a CYT productions must provide a back stage box to store supplies and clothing during the run of the show. Supplies needed backstage include: comb, brush, bobby pins, hair clips, safety pins, make-up remover wipes, Kleenex, costume cover-up, and make-up kit.

Optional Fees
Parent Passes : Parent Passes are available for parents and family members (grandparents and siblings). Each Parent Pass costs $20.00. These passes give you preferred seating on opening night and a seat for all other shows that have open seats. The Parent Pass is a color photo of your child(ren) on a tag with your name in a clip-on plastic name badge.

T-Shirts/Sweatshirts : For each CYT show performed, CYT creates a t-shirt/sweatshirt with the show logo and the CYT logo. Students are given an opportunity to purchase a t-shirt or sweatshirt in the first few weeks of classes.

Dress Rehearsal Week Meals : At a parent meeting you will be offered an opportunity to purchase meals for your child during dress rehearsals, double show days and school days. Parents who are working are also eligible to purchase meals. These meals will be delivered to the theater each evening of dress rehearsal and on school days. This service is provided for your convenience. You may choose to purchase a meal(s) or to send a meal with your child.

Flowers : At the second parent meeting you will also be offered the opportunity to purchase flowers. These flowers, if purchased, are made available to you opening night to give to your child(ren). A parent committee finds a provider and determines the cost.

Directors’ Gift : At a parent meeting you are also offered the opportunity to contribute toward a gift for members of our Artistic Team and the Area Coordinator. A typical donation is five to ten dollars per family.

Opening Night Party : Each area has a party where the students dress up and have fun after the opening performance. You may be asked to contribute an item or you may have the option to purchase food at your discretion.

Strike Party : After our last show, and after theater clean up, we hold a strike party for cast, crew and their families. You may order the meal we offer at the strike party. At the strike party, the Artistic Team passes out awards and the cast and crew perform small skits called “strikes”. Strikes are funny skits based on the show, backstage insider info. and show bloopers. You do not need to purchase a meal to attend. All cast, crew and their families are invited.

Show Photos : Candid and posed photographs are available for purchase.

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