About

Welcome to Christian Youth Theater

Christian Youth Theater (CYT) is an after-school theater arts training program for students ages 4-18. Since its founding in 1981, CYT has grown to be the largest youth theater program in the nation, with Affiliates across the country training thousands of students a year. Each local program conducts three ten-week sessions (Fall, Winter, and Spring) teaching drama, voice, dance, and specialty theatrical workshops at weekly two-hour classes. Enrolled students have the opportunity to audition and perform (or work behind-the-scenes) in a Broadway-style musical performed for the community. CYT also offers summer camps for kids ages 4-18, where they will spend a week learning musical theater skills resulting in a showcase performance for family and friends! CYT stands in the forefront in its commitment to the highest ethical, moral, technical, and artistic standards of excellence. Instructors are professionals, qualified in teaching and/or performing, who understand our mission statement, values, objectives, and goals.

CYT Lafayette is a licensed affiliate of CYT Inc. CYT is the largest youth theater program in the nation, with programs across the country. To learn more about CYT and to find out how to start CYT in your city visit www.cyt.org.

Mission Statement

Mission
Christian Youth Theater develops Christ-like character and creativity in kids 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. We earnestly desire growth in love for God, in the knowledge of His love for us, and in a humble life that pours out love towards others.
  • People over programs: We exist for our communities: those we know and those we have yet to meet. The people. We were created for companionship, and at CYT we long to see strangers become neighbors and neighbors become community. This is our calling. We love God, and we love and value His people. We see and welcome people for who they uniquely are and not just what they can do for our organization.
  • Service over spotlight: We believe in serving others in sacrificial and tangible ways. 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. We aim to work slowly and mindfully to see the needs that walk through our doors. We would take servanthood over spotlights any day.
  • 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. We don’t seek perfection as a means of outward praise, but excellence as a form of worship from a heart of gratitude and diligence. Being excellent in all we say and do is a way we can be faithful to God’s calling on our lives and in our work.

Safety at CYT

In 2021 an independent board of directors was vetted and voted on by the leadership of all CYT Branches to assume responsibility for the organization’s governance.  A key priority for the new board was the development of a comprehensive safety system that includes the programs, training, and resources available on this page. The Safety Scene program goes well beyond background checks in it's work to prevent, detect and respond to physical, emotional, verbal, and sexual abuse in CYT programming.  The Safety Scene is currently active and available to all CYT branches across the country.
 
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 site and the links below for training resources, programs, and best practices for staff members, volunteers, parents, and students.
Safety Information
A toll-free telephone number (1-855-222-0283) and website www.lighthouse-services.com/cyt have been set up for any local CYT participants, volunteers, or employees to report concerns. This confidential number and website is staffed by a third-party firm and will report any concerns to the CYT Inc Staff and Board of Directors.

The National Child Abuse Hotline (1-800-4-A-CHILD) is dedicated to the prevention of child abuse.  The hotline offers crisis intervention, information, and referrals to thousands of emergency, social service, and support resources. All calls, texts, and chats are confidential.
CYT Reporting Website

"It's amazing to see a child grow & blossom right before your eyes - really Incredible"

CYT Mom