Christian Youth Theater Program Comes to Menifee

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CYT cast members are performing in the theater's current production of "The Music Man."

Christian Youth Theater has been running programs in the Temecula area of Riverside County since 1991 and in that time has positively enhanced the lives of thousands of local families. Now, the after-school theater arts program is offering classes in Menifee beginning in March.

The 10-week spring session will begin on March 3 and run every Thursday 4:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. at Impact Church on New Hub Drive. Those interested in auditioning for the CYT spring production of "Jungle Book" will do so in Temecula on March 4.

"We at CYT are so excited to be able to grow our program into the Menifee area," said Jennifer Lloyd, Artistic Director of CYT Riverside. "We are hoping that the kids in the area are excited to come and try out the program and see what is has to offer. The arts not only allow kids to learn about performance, but they learn life skills and what it means to be on a team. It’s so much fun to see our kids grow through the years and take their skills into the community and become leaders."

CYT Riverside County is a non-profit theater arts training program for students entering kindergarten through age 18. CYT offers a variety of singing, dancing and performance classes as well as Broadway-style musicals in the fall, winter and spring. The plan is to continue to expand the program to areas beyond Temecula.

CYT began in the Temecula Valley as CYT Temecula in the fall of 1991. It operated as an area branch of San Diego until August 2011, when it became an official affiliate and branded as CYT Riverside County. Since its founding in 1981 in San Diego, CYT has grown to be the largest youth theater in the nation and is a non-profit 501(c)3 educational organization funded primarily through its tuition, ticket sales and outside contributions.

The goals of CYT are: 1.) Train children in the performing arts, 2.) Build leadership skills, 3.) Develop a sense of community and fellowship, and 4.) Provide positive, Godly role models for students.

CYT Riverside County produces at least one Broadway-style musical for the community each session (fall, winter, spring). Enrollment in class provides students (ages 8-18) the opportunity to audition for one of the current productions that session. Approximately 75 students are cast in each CYT Riverside County production. CYT also offers summer day camps for younger and older students that focus on learning, working hard and having fun.

For registration and information, call 951-331-8036 or visit cytriverside.org.