Mission Statement

Christian Youth Theater develops character and creativity through quality theater arts training that brings families and communities together while reflecting Jesus.

Values

  • Character over competition: Our intentional focus is on knowing Jesus and becoming more like Him. 
  • People over programs: We exist for our communities ... at CYT, we long to see strangers become neighbors and neighbors become community. We love God, and we love and value His people. 
  • Service over spotlight: CYT exists for opportunities to know and see needs, and to meet them as the body of Christ. We see leadership through the lens of servant leadership, as best demonstrated in the person and work of Jesus.  
  • Excellence over ego: We value giving God our first and our best. Excellence is our simplest expression of giving the gifts and talents God has blessed us with back to Him.  

What Does CYT Offer?

Classes - Classes | CYT North Idaho
CYT offers classes over the course of three sessions during the school year: Fall, Winter, and Spring. Weekly classes last for two hours and run for ten consecutive weeks. A variety of classes are offered in drama, voice, dance, and specialty classes that vary per session. Class sizes are small and offer supervision both inside and outside the classroom.

Parents send their children to CYT classes to learn, and that’s exactly what they will do! At the end of a CYT session, your student will come away with a new or improved skill in the area of emphasis. During the last week of class, a high-energy Showcase is presented by each class to show other students, family, and friends all they’ve learned.

Shows - Shows | CYT North Idaho
CYT shows are always appropriate for the entire family and are an excellent way to introduce children to the arts at a young age! 

CYT produces one Broadway-style musical each session. Enrollment in a CYT class provides students aged 8-18, the opportunity to audition for the current production.

Students not cast in the show are encouraged to participate in other ways. Depending on age and ability, students can participate on the backstage crew, technical team, or the costume committee.

Camps - Camps | CYT North Idaho
Week-long musical theater day camps are offered during the summer months for campers aged 5-18. Typical camps include team competitions, drama, dance, music, and craft workshops, theme-related devotionals, and an impressive concluding showcase for family and friends.

Programs - Programs | CYT North Idaho
There are many ways to be part of CYT beyond the stage! CYT programs consist of everything that is not a class, camp, or show. Some of the available programs include HYPE, CCT, and CYT@school.

History

Once Upon a Time…

In 1980, Paul & Sheryl Russell had the dream of bringing wholesome family entertainment to their community. Along with a small band of theater-loving friends, they mounted a fully-staged production of The Sound of Music in San Diego, CA to a surprising audience of 5,000.

One year later, they started an after-school theater arts program specifically for youth ages 4-18. Their first show, You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, had a cast of 24 students and the rest is history.

Nationally, CYT has grown to be the largest children’s theater organization in the country with more than 38 locations in 25 different cities and enrolling 18,000 students annually.

CYT Safety Statement

CYT is committed to putting safety first at all times. The Safety Scene program is a CYT National initiative that goes well beyond background checks in its work to prevent, detect, and respond to physical, emotional, verbal, and sexual abuse in CYT programming. 
 
Any act of abuse is unacceptable and stands counter to CYT’s beliefs. CYT is committed to maintaining a community where all participants can work and learn together free of harassment, misconduct or abuse of any kind, including verbal, emotional, physical and sexual.
 
Explore our National Safety Scene page to learn more!

CYT North Idaho

Mailing Address:
579 W Hayden Ave
Hayden, ID 83835

Phone: (208) 660-9870 text or voice message

Contact Us