CYT Classes

About our Classes

About our Classes

Fall, Winter, and Spring sessions offer 8 to 10 week classes for students ages 4-18.

Learn More
Showcase

Showcase

At the end of the session, each class performs for family and friends.

Learn More
Teachers

Teachers

Instructors are qualified in teaching and/or performing, and strive to be excellent role models.

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Current Classes:

Class: Age: Chapter: Location: Day: Time: Start: End:
Bringing Villains to Life On Stage 13-18 New Braunfels
(Winter 2025)		 The CYT Blackbox Thu 6:30pm - 8:30pm Dec 05 Feb 03
Character Analysis 13-18 New Braunfels
(Winter 2025)		 The CYT Blackbox Mon 6:30pm - 8:30pm Dec 02 Feb 03
Conquering Callbacks 13-18 New Braunfels
(Winter 2025)		 The CYT Blackbox Thu 6:30pm - 8:30pm Dec 05 Feb 03
Dancing With Props for Kids 8-12 New Braunfels
(Winter 2025)		 The CYT Blackbox Thu 4:30pm - 6:00pm Dec 05 Feb 03
Dancing with Props for Teens 13-18 New Braunfels
(Winter 2025)		 The CYT Blackbox Thu 6:30pm - 8:30pm Dec 05 Feb 03
Drawing and Technical Theater Design for Kids 8-12 New Braunfels
(Winter 2025)		 The CYT Blackbox Thu 4:30pm - 6:00pm Dec 05 Feb 03
Fun With Improv (Bridge) 10-14 New Braunfels
(Winter 2025)		 The CYT Blackbox Mon 6:30pm - 8:30pm Dec 02 Feb 03
Interpretive Dance: Telling a Story Through Movement 8-12 New Braunfels
(Winter 2025)		 The CYT Blackbox Thu 4:30pm - 6:00pm Dec 05 Feb 03
Mamma Mia: Musical Theater for Teens 13-18 New Braunfels
(Winter 2025)		 The CYT Blackbox Mon 6:30pm - 8:30pm Dec 02 Feb 03
Mini Movers 6-8 New Braunfels
(Winter 2025)		 The CYT Blackbox Mon 4:30pm - 6:00pm Dec 02 Feb 03
Musical Theater for Kids! (Mondays) 8-12 New Braunfels
(Winter 2025)		 The CYT Blackbox Mon 4:30pm - 6:00pm Dec 02 Feb 03
Musical Theater for Kids! (Thursdays) 8-12 New Braunfels
(Winter 2025)		 The CYT Blackbox Thu 4:30pm - 6:00pm Dec 05 Feb 03
Our Gang- Mickey Mouse Club! 4-7 New Braunfels
(Winter 2025)		 The CYT Blackbox Mon 4:30pm - 6:00pm Dec 02 Feb 03
Play Analysis: Les Miserable 13-18 New Braunfels
(Winter 2025)		 The CYT Blackbox Mon 6:30pm - 8:30pm Dec 02 Feb 03
Playwrights in Action 8-12 New Braunfels
(Winter 2025)		 The CYT Blackbox Mon 4:30pm - 6:00pm Dec 02 Feb 03
Puppetry 101: Introduction to the Art of Puppetry (Bridge) 10-14 New Braunfels
(Winter 2025)		 The CYT Blackbox Thu 6:30pm - 8:30pm Dec 05 Feb 03
Step On Stage: Acting for Kids 8-12 New Braunfels
(Winter 2025)		 The CYT Blackbox Mon 4:30pm - 6:00pm Dec 02 Feb 03
Stories for the Stage 13-18 New Braunfels
(Winter 2025)		 The CYT Blackbox Thu 6:30pm - 8:30pm Dec 05 Feb 03
Voice for Teens 13-18 New Braunfels
(Winter 2025)		 The CYT Blackbox Mon 6:30pm - 8:30pm Dec 02 Feb 03

About

CYT offers classes for students ages 4-18 throughout the school year. Classes include drama, voice, dance, and behind-the-scenes training in makeup, costumes, tech, and more. Classes are held for one and a half to two hours once a week and run for ten consecutive weeks in Fall, Winter, and Spring sessions. Class sizes are small and offer supervision both inside and outside the classroom. Each session culminates in a high-energy showcase to demonstrate to family, friends, and fellow students the skills acquired.

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 that they've learned.

CYT registration fees cover the whole session. We think that's pretty cool! Sibling discounts are also applied on multi-sibling registrations. The session calendar can be found as a pdf at the top of this page. 

Showcase

Parents, friends, and relatives are invited to attend CYT's Showcase performance on the last day/evening of classes, free of charge! Showcase is the grand finale of each session of classes, at which every class makes a 5-8 minute presentation of something they have learned and rehearsed during the session. Don't miss the action!

Curriculum

CYT offers a wide variety of classes, and they all enable students to gain valuable theater arts training, develop confidence and make friends! Our curriculums are developed by teachers, directors, and performers both at our local branch and from CYT Inc. These classes vary per session and are modified depending on the class.

Some of our classes include:
Wiggles and Giggles - An Introduction to the arts (4-5)
Our Gang - Theater Basics for Kids (6-7)
Acting 101 (8-12)
Voice for Kids (8-12)
Musical Theater for Kids (8-12)
Tap for Kids (8-12)
Hip Hop for Kids (8-12)
Voice for Teens (13-18)
Theatrical Street Jazz (13-18)
Shakespeare for Teens (13-18)
Off the Top of Your Head - Improv (13-18)
CYT Players - A One Act style acting class (13-18)
Set the Stage - an introduction to theatrical design (13-18)

Teachers

A CYT Teacher (or as we call them, Teaching Artist) has a mission is to train and instruct students in such a way as to promote the development of character, self-esteem, and confidence. Teaching Artists  are qualified and experienced in the area in which they teach. Many of them actively performing and working in the performing arts industry, or working as educators outside of CYT either in the education system or in dance studios, private studios, and more. They have been trained in the CYT methods of instruction and agree with the CYT values and outcome goals. All our Teaching Artists at CYT have been background checked and adhere to our CYT Mission and Values. Our Teaching Artists truly care about their students and provide a constructive and fun environment for them to learn!

We strive to not just teach theater arts skills in our classes, but life skills through the arts. All of our instruction is tailored to the students in our classes, and each instructor brings something different to the classes we offer. No two CYT classes will ever look the exactly the same!

FAQ's for Classes

How do I register for a class?
Set up a Family Account before you register for classes!
  1. Click on the "person" icon at top right corner of our website (to right of "DONATE" on any page).
  2. Click on "NEW ACCOUNT" in the pop up window.
  3. Fill out the information required, with the parent's info first.
  4. To add a child to the account, click on the +Family Member button.
If you are already have a Family Account, then (while logged in) follow these steps:
  1. Register for Classes- Go to the "Classes" page
  2. First select your "Student's Age"
  3. Click on the Class Name of your choice
  4. Click on the "Register Now" button
  5. Select the family member that will be in the class.
Are parents allowed to sit in during classes?
While we love to have parents involved at CYT, classes are closed. This is for several reasons. Some students do not perform well with parental supervision, and other students sometimes get nervous when another related parent is in the room. We also want the Showcase performance to be an awesome surprise for you and your family! If you feel like you need to sit in on a class for any reason, please contact our Class Coordinator.

What should we expect on the first day of class?
When you arrive, you'll be greeted by our staff and our HYPE team! We'll make sure we have you registered in the right class, then all parents and students will head into our Main Studio Room for a brief welcome meeting before the students head to class. If it is you first time in a CYT Class, one of our HYPE Students will be available to answer any questions and help your student feel at home! Our Class Coordinator will send out an email with specific instructions for the first night of class, so be on the lookout for that!

What does my child need to bring to class?
A water bottle, a pencil, closed toe shoes, and good attitude are all good things to have! If your child needs anything specific to their class (especially for dance classes) you should receive an email from your instructor detailing what you need.

What is the refund policy?
Refunds are not issued once classes begin. Classes cancelled two weeks before start date are subject to a $25 cancellation/processing fee. For any questions, please contact our Managing Director at md@cytsanantonio.org. 

I've already registered for a class, but I want to switch to a different class. Is that ok?
We are totally fine with students moving to another class. HOWEVER, any requests to move to another class must be submitted and approved two weeks before the class begins. If you need to switch classes in that two week time period, a $25 fee will apply.

Current Teachers:

HannahBelle Taylor

HannahBelle Taylor has been a part of CYT SA/NB since 2019, and she has been involved in many aspects of the organization, including teaching, making costumes, stage managing (CCT’s Little Women), and directing (Annie JR., CCT’s Seussical the Musical, James and the Giant Peach JR., Oliver JR.). HannahBelle was homeschooled, and she began writing and directing at the age of 14. She found her life’s calling at such a young age because her mom believed in her and enabled her to pursue her creative passions, so she knows the importance of giving students the tools and opportunities to begin the journey into their own God-given calling.  HannahBelle’s goal is to spark creative fire in students, for they are the next generation of storytellers, creative geniuses, and world-changers! CYT/CCT has been a huge part of HannahBelle's life, and she even met her husband, Josh, when they worked together on Little Women! She and Josh currently live in New Braunfels with their cat, Mochi, and they are excited to now be on the artistic team for Matilda JR. together!

Jeremiah Jordon

For the past 10 years, Jeremiah has performed and choreographed all around the state of Texas. As well as in New York and New Jersey. He is proud to say for the past 7 years he has choreographed and instructed students in the art of dance at CYT San Antonio and also CYT Austin. Most recently was nominated for an ATAC award for choreographing The Color Purple, Texas premiere, Jeremiah has set out to make this one a show that will keep the whole family in awe. Based in the greater Austin area, he has been blessed to be around family and friends that drive him and his work to grow in ways he never thought possible. Equipping those with the talents and skills he has acquired over the years is one of his many passions.

Jessica Appleford

Jessica is excited to be apart of another session at CYT! Her favorite part of teaching at CYT is watching the students grow in their talent and confidence. Jessica, her husband (Chris) and two children (Jakob & Ally) love being apart of CYT from productions to behind the scenes. Recently the family was on stage together in CCT’s Beauty and the Beast. Jessica studied Liberal Arts at Fresno State with a concentration in Children & the Arts. CYT classes taught include Acting 101, Reader’s Theater, Musical Theater, Shakespeare and her personal favorite, Voice Overs & Commercials. Jessica currently teaches middle school at New Braunfels Middle School.

Lyndsea Woodall

An alumna of CYT Houston, Lyndsea was so inspired by her many years spent with CYT, that she decided to pursue music full time. She received her degree in music education with a Classical Voice emphasis at Texas State University. She works full time as an elementary music teacher and voice teacher to students in the New Braunfels area. In addition to teaching, Ms. Lyndsea performs regularly across Texas with both the Texas State Chorale and VocaLibre. She has also performed in various musical theater productions and operas, including the title role in Massanet’s Cendrillon (Cinderella), and The Sound of Music (Maria von Trapp). Outside of Texas State, she has won several awards through the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) including being named a finalist in Classical Voice and winning 1st place in Musical Theater. She was most recently nominated for the Alamo Theatre Arts Council (ATACS) Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Lead Actress for her portrayal of Rose Smith in Meet Me in St. Louis. She was named teacher of the year at her school in 2021. Above all, Lyndsea is passionate about the values of CYT. She loves helping students find their voice, develop their musicality, and pointing them back to Christ!

MelRae Ambs

MelRae is excited to teach at CYT/CCT, through diverse topics like technical theatre, costuming/sewing, digital art, and play/character analysis. Bringing excellence to these supporting elements is rewarding and essential to telling the story! A mom of 8, former national speech & debate director, with a tech background (lights, sound, computer) and a stage/film background (acting/singing/dancing, directing, commercials/modeling), MelRae and her family joined CYT in 2021 and have served in many capacities, including costuming, specialty prop building, lighting, sound, and LED Panel design.

Nathan Carnes

Robyn Werner

Robyn is so excited to be returning as a teacher for another session! She has been married for 15 years and is the mama to five amazing kids. She first started studying musical theatre in high school at North East School of the Arts in San Antonio and went on to study musical theatre at Ouachita Baptist University in Arkansas. In recent years, she was Mrs. Potts in Beauty and the Beast in Midland, TX and in both CCT’s Sound of Music (Sister Berthe) and Suessical (Bird Girl) She enjoys working with children and is currently a preschool teacher at First Baptist New Braunfels. She has loved being apart of the warm, welcoming community here at CYT and loves that her children are apart of it too. Ephesians 3:20

Saundra Decker

Saundra Decker began her dance and performance journey (a long time ago) at the age of 6. She was a competitive dancer, twirler and singer throughout her childhood accumulating over 100 national titles as well as over 1,000 awards for her performances. She graduated from West Virginia University with a degree in Theater Arts and a minor in dance. She was crowned Miss West Virginia in 1987 and competed at the 1988 Miss America Pageant where she received a non-finalist talent award and the Cavalier Talent Scholarship award. She was co-owner and instructor of Performer's Academy in San Antonio, Texas, a studio providing ballet, jazz, tap and baton twirling for all ages for over 10 years. As a choreographer, Mrs. Decker has also coached numerous State Champion colorguards for high schools in Texas and surrounding states. Saundra most recently choregraphed CYT's mainstage productions of Legally Blonde Jr. and Matilda Jr. She homeschooled her daughter, Cassidy Decker for 9 years and has loved giving her the opportunities to grow and blossom with her God given gifts and talents. CYT has been a second home to Saundra and her family and she is more than excited to help her CYT students to learn, grow and become proficient and expressive in their dance skills. Mrs. Decker would like to thank her amazing husband, Mike Decker, for his undending love, support, encouragement and patience.