Founder’s Corner: CYT’s Belief in The Power of Dance

Posted on May 16, 2012 by jcortez

Some videos move you, and some do not.

The video above certainly moves me. To me, it expresses CYT’s belief in the power of dance- that it can change the world.

The video itself comes from Jon M. Chu, and is called DS2DIO (pronounced D-Studio). It’s the World’s First Dance Lifestyle Channel, and is set to arrive during the Summer of 2012, exclusively on YouTube.

Jon is a dear friend of ours and was Jason’s roommate at USC. He is the director of G.I. Joe Retaliation, Justin Bieber: Never Say Never, Step Up 3D and the creator of The LXD.

Contributed by Paul Russell

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CYT Alum Richard Allen Produces AMAZED TV

Posted on May 15, 2012 by jcortez

Recording artist Dylan Hyde is a busy young man.

While recording his debut album, he is also stretching his acting legs with the starring role in the new online series, “Richard Allen’s AMAZED”, which was developed specifically for him by writer/producer/director Richard (Ricky) Allen (former CYT SD Director and CCT Alum).

“I discovered Dylan doing musical theatre at CYT San Diego and knew immediately that he was a rare talent that I wanted to develop. I knew that the camera loved him from his music performances on YouTube,” said Allen. “It just felt natural to create a series for him. It’s another outlet in which to introduce his music to the public.”

“AMAZED” stars Dylan Hyde (CYT SD Student) as himself, a teen pop star who, along with his friends Allegra (Disa Power, CYT SD Student) and Cassidy (Harley Henderson, CYT SD Student), sets out to solve the unexplained occurrences in their hometown of Coronado Island. With Dylan’s uncanny intuition, Allegra’s technical savvy and Cassidy’s common sense (he’d rather be reading comic books), the three outsmart the young celebrity’s security detail to unravel the seemingly connected mysteries of this sleepy town. Inspired by retro television shows such as Scooby Doo and The Twilight Zone, and vintage films, like The Goonies, “AMAZED” has its share of comedic hijinks, action and suspense. Several episodes in the first season will contain original songs from Dylan Hyde, recorded specifically for the show.

“The show is awesome,” enthuses Hyde. “It’s so much fun to be on set and to record original music just for the show! Hopefully, it will be a huge success and then maybe they’ll be clamoring to find a place for me at Nickelodeon.”

“AMAZED” premiered May 9 at www.amazedtv.com. New episodes will launch every Wednesday at 7pm.

Other notable cast members:
Robert Filley (CCT SD Alum)
Terry Walker(CCT SD Alum and currently starring in Senior Follies)
Haley Gorman(CYT SD Student)

To listen to the AMAZED’s hit theme song “Running Free” click here.
The song is also available on iTunes.

Contributed by AMAZED TV

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Catching up with CYT Richmond Alumni

Posted on May 14, 2012 by jcortez

In 2008, CYT Richmond ended the school year with it’s first ever Master’s Camp, which culminated in the emotional main-stage performance of Les Mis. That was also the year that CYT Richmond said goodbye to its largest senior class to date.

Four years later, many of these CYT alumni are graduating from college. Take a minute to catch up with these CYT Richmond Alumni!

Jonathan Goff: I’m a senior at Bryan College this year–crazy right? Finishing up my degree in Christian Ministry and loving it. This year, I just got cast in my first show (“Curtains”) since freshman year at Bryan, so pretty stoked about that.

Vance Phillips:

This past year, I worked for Steven Spielberg on the Lincoln film being shot around Virginia. After that’s all said and done I will do 1 of 2 things…1 go to Africa for 3-4 months…2 get a job on set for the filming of Ironman 3…I’d also like to stay in RVA.

Alyssa Davis: I’m finishing up my Theatre Major at University of Richmond and heading to Chicago this summer to work with kids at Teach for America!

Evan Raborn: Since CYT, I have been living in Argentina and Spain working with refugees and other nonprofits and studying and after I graduate this year (International Relations & Spanish) I’m moving back to Spain to teach English to businessmen before I do diplomacy work with the government.

Hayley Williamson: I’m a junior and a physics and math double major at Randolph-Macon College. I spent the summer at NASA Goddard Spaceflight Center and had an amazing time.

Samantha Moran: I am a freshman at Liberty University, and I LOVE it! I am majoring in English with a minor in Writing. I was on the running crew for Liberty University’s Tower Theater production of Oklahoma! I am currently taking a theater production class which has taught me a lot about set construction and allowed me to work on sets for Oklahoma, Little Shop of Horrors, and Romeo and Juliet.

Camden Cantwell: I’m in my junior year at UR studying Theatre and Rhetoric & Communications. It’s been crazy being really stretched learning things like stage management, lighting design, getting a job in our costume shop, and getting to meet amazing people like the original London cast of The Lion King.

Read more CYT Richmond Alumni stories here!
Contributed by CYT Richmond

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CYT EXPO 2012 Speakers, Performers, Got Talent Judges & More…

Posted on May 12, 2012 by jcortez

Check out the CYT EXPO 2012 Speakers, Performers, Got Talent Judges & more, here!

Visit www.cyt.org/expo for more information about the 2012 EXPO.
Have questions? Email info@cyt.org.

“BE A PART OF THE CREW”

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Tweet #CYTExpo and Win a Free “I Heart CYT” Shirt

Posted on May 10, 2012 by jcortez

The 2012 EXPO is less than two months away and we want to know your thoughts. TWEET US!

In the next two weeks, if you tweet using the hashtag #cytexpo, you could win a free “I Heart CYT” t-shirt! Every 20th person to use the hashtag will win.

Examples of past tweets:

@megumikate: Crewlaces are ready for San Diego!! #CYTExpo

@cytnational: Support @cytvanport’s Improv teams before they head to San Diego to compete in the CYT National Improvathon! #CYTExpo

The catch? Tweets must be CYT relevant, and you must attend the 2012 EXPO in San Diego to receive your “I Heart CYT” t-shirt. Shirts can be picked up at the Hospitality Suite at the Crowne Plaza.

Want to know what people are saying about the CYT Expo? Check out the Twitter feed at www.cyt.org/expo. And if you aren’t following @CYTNational on Twitter, do so today!

Happy tweeting!

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CYT Phoenix’s “Alice: A Wonder-Full New Musical” Cast and Crew Interviewed

Posted on May 9, 2012 by jcortez

East Valley Tribune posted a couple articles this week about CYT Phoenix‘s upcoming production of “Alice: A Wonder-Full New Musical.”

The first article highlighted a family who was integral in building the sets, the Bisgroves.

According to the paper, “The family had no prior experience set building when they began working with CYT.”

The Bisgrove family told the paper that they’re thankful for being on the production team, and that their most interesting job was cleaning/preparing the lockers for the set. Cindy Bisgrove spoke of “Alice,” saying:

The play will encourage more than youth. I believe it will encourage individuals, families and adults of all ages since most of us have been, are, or will be in Alice’s shoes some time in our lives.

The second article featured an interview with the star who plays Alice- Jackie Tyler. When asked by the paper how she relates to her character, Jackie replied:

“[In] many, many ways. The great thing about this show is how well Jon [Lorenz] picked up on the problems all high-schoolers face. She and I [Alice] both struggle with the idea that college and life on our own is just around the corner; on top of this, people expect us to know what we want to do, where we want to go and be in ten years, when we don’t have a clue! Just like Alice, I want independence, but all that independence includes is daunting.”

Read the complete Q & A with Jackie here: Q&A with “Alice.”.
Read more about the Bisgrove family here: Family helps build sets for “Alice.”

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CYT Denver Proudly Presents “Thoroughly Modern Millie”

Posted on May 8, 2012 by jcortez

What happens when a young country girl moves to New York City in the roaring 20’s? “Millie” learns what it means to be “thoroughly modern.” CYT Denver Proudly Presents: “Thoroughly Modern Millie Jr.”

A young 1920′s girl from Kansas moves to New York City in search of a new life. Filled with flashy flappers, dashing men, tapping stenographers and a deceptive lady with charm, young Millie finds herself becoming “thoroughly modern” through unexpected situations packed with friendship, romance, and intrigue.

The phenomenal cast of 71 youth actors will engage your heart and soul in this fun, charming, humorous show. Get your tickets today for “Thoroughly Modern Millie”, performed by CYT Denver at the new PACE Center in Parker on May 10, 11, and 12.

CYT Denver is an after-school theater arts program committed to developing character in children and adults through training in the arts and by producing wholesome family entertainment. CYT offers a broad curriculum of performing arts classes, summer camps, and professionally directed musical productions. In addition to a weekly two-hour class, CYT students can participate in full-scale productions, like “Thoroughly Modern Millie” or “The Music Man”, which opens in Littleton on April 26th.

To learn more about CYT classes, camps, or shows visit www.cytdenver.org.

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