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CYT VanPort’s Hannah Wilson Makes Her Television Debut

CYT VanPort’s Hannah Wilson made her television debut this summer, appearing in TNT’s Leverage. She is featured singing in a school musical, in Season 2, Episode 4- The Fairy Godparent’s Job.

If you live in the Portland area, you may recognize Hannah from her previous role in the cast of Portland Center Stage’s “A Christmas Story”, alongside other CYT VanPort student’s Calvin Whitney, Aimee Martin, and Henry Martin.

Read our Q&A with the Martin family and “A Christmas Story” in one of our previous CYT blogs, here.

posted by jcortez in Media,Video and have No Comments

CYT Wichita Praised In the Marion County Record

CYT was mentioned today in an article that ran in the Marion County Record, a local paper in Kansas City area. Larry Timm wrote about his experience with CYT Wichita- he stated becoming acquainted with the program is “a privilege”. He first became familiar with Christian Youth Theater by watching their production of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown”.

Here is an excerpt:

I am amazed at how committed everyone is to one another, to the many hours of practice, and to the exhausting week of performances. The hard work is inspiring, the quality is incredible, and the experience is unforgettable. But there is one moment that stands above all the others. I have seen it happen three times and each time it sends chills racing up my spine, moving me to tears of joy….

It’s a simple yet profound gesture that puts everything the group stands for into perspective. It’s when all the performers come on stage for a final bow. Right before the curtain closes, all of them — from the youngest to the oldest — raise their hands and point up to heaven. It’s all for Jesus.

Can you say that about your life?

Read Larry Timm’s complete article, Hope in the Heartland, here.

posted by jcortez in Media and have No Comments

CYT’s Voted “Best Of” By Their Communities

Recently two CYT’s were voted BEST OF by their communities.

CYT Chicago won for “Best of” for Best Live Theater by the Northwest Newsgroup and CYT San Diego won “Best of” for Live Theater Group by the Union-Tribune. Congratulations to those who won!!

**If you want to keep CYT’s winning streak alive, make sure to cast a vote for CYT Denver- they are up to win Best Theater Group for the third year in a row by Channel 7.

You can vote only once, here.

posted by jcortez in Awards,Media,Programs and have No Comments

Vote For CYT VanPort’s Commercial Promoting The Landmark Ford Fiesta

Not long ago CYT VanPort created a commercial to promote the new Landmark Ford Fiesta, which will air 200+ times in the surrounding Portland area. The contest is being promoted as “The World’s Most Fun Fundraiser”. CYT VanPort is urging CYT National to cast their votes!

CYT VanPort’s Managing Director Bethany Larson said, “The kids all did a great job so keep the voting momentum going up until the deadline of Sept 30th to make sure CYT takes home 1st prize!”

Here are details, in accordance with the Ford website:

1. Voting is open from August 30th through September 30th.
2. Anyone (of any age) can vote once per day.
3. Earn 10 bonus votes by heading out to Landmark Ford & test-driving a Fiesta. Click here for details.
3. Remember to cast your vote!!

What will CYT VanPort gain from your vote you ask? Here is the breakdown:

  • 1st place – A $1500 contribution to the group receiving the most votes
  • 2nd place – A $1000 contribution to the group receiving the second most votes
  • 3rd place – A $500 contribution to to the group receiving the third most votes
  • All 21 other participating groups will each receive a $100 contribution

Spread the word by sharing this blog on Facebook and Twitter!

posted by jcortez in Fundraiser,Media,Promotion and have Comments (3)

CYT Alum Melissa Disney, The Official Voice Of The 2010 Primetime Emmy Awards

This just in:

CYT San Diego alum Melissa Disney -yes, she is a distant relative of Walt Disney- will be the official “voice” of the 2010 Emmy Awards taking place this Sunday August 29th, at 5pm PT and 8PM ET on NBC! Past voiceover work includes the Stunt Awards, the Key ARTS Awards, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and The Jimmy Kimmel Show.

“She is already pre-recording a lot of intro’s, [and] will get to do lots of live announcements…It’s a really big honor. She and I were seat fillers for the Emmy’s a few years ago and I can honestly say, I’ve never seen so many BIG NAME stars all in one place at one time. There are not only the nominees but the presenters and special guests who are from TV, film and stage,” said Louise Gallagher, Melissa’s mother who presented at the CCT/CYT 30th year Birthday Celebration, and who acted as the Liz Taylor impersonator in CCT’s Senior Follies.

Support CYT SD Alum Melissa Disney by watching the Primetime Emmy Awards this Sunday!! Don’t forget to DVR and TiVo.

Click here to read more about the 2010 Primetime Emmy Awards, and Melissa Disney.

posted by jcortez in Alumni,Awards,Event,Media,Spotlight and have No Comments

CYT Chicago’s ‘Glee’ Summer Camps Apart Of A Growing Trend, Says The Chicago Tribune

This summer, the Chicago Tribune recently took notice of the “Glee” phenomenon that was spreading to summer camps- and mentioned CYT Chicago as apart of the growing trend! According the article,

“Inspired by the overwhelming popularity of the musical comedy-drama on the Fox network, dozens of theater groups and arts organizations in Chicago and across the country have created ‘Glee’ summer camps for kids using music and choreography from the hit show.”

Read excerpts from the article below, and check out what Lindsey Branson, CYT Chicago’s Marketing Director, had to say about the controversy surrounding Glee.

In the Chicago area…at least 10 other ‘Glee’ camps [were] scheduled for July and August, with some already sold out. Christian Youth Theater sold out its ‘Glee’ camps in Cary and Wheaton after enrolling 150 young people ages 11 to 17. The group has additional camps running in Arlington Heights, Gurnee and Rockford.

When the artistic directors of Christian Youth Theater [Chicago] began brainstorming with kids for summer camp ideas, ‘Glee’ won by a landslide. But, Lindsey Branson, the group’s marketing director, said some of material in the show was viewed as inappropriate.

‘The music is great and fun, but some of the characters and plot are not exactly what we want to emulate,’ Branson said. ‘So because of that, we’ve chosen not to use the story, just the music.’”

Read the Chicago Tribune article in its entirety here.

posted by jcortez in Media,Summer Camps and have No Comments

Kiwanis Club of LA Blogs About CYT Lafayette

Yesterday CYT Lafayette performed Godspell for The Kiwanis Club of Louisiana. In return, The Kiwanis Club wrote a blog about CYT Lafayette, thanking them for their hard work.  It’s re-posted in its entirety, here:

Christian Youth Theatre [Lafayette ] was our “guest speaker” today by performing scenes from Godspell. They were a talented group of young children, and it was a refreshing change of pace. Thanks to everyone at CYT [Lafayette] for all of their behind-the-scenes work putting together this and all of the other shows that they produce. The Kiwanis club recently made a donation to CYT [Lafayette], and they were kind enough to come to today’s meeting and give us a terrific presentation.

posted by jcortez in Media and have No Comments