Classes

Registration for Winter 2025 classes is OPEN! 
Audition information for The Sound of Music is posted on the SHOWS tab soon.

Students are required to be enrolled in a CYT class in order to audition for the season production. 
Classes are 9 weeks and are generally held in the evening from 6pm-8pm. All classes conclude with a Showcase to show all the skills they have learned!  Showcases are held at Austin Baptist Church

Production rehearsals are held on Saturdays from 9am-3pm for the first 6 weeks and transition to 9am-4pm the last 4 weeks before the show opens.  

See the Shows page for Audition information.

 

Current Classes:

Class: Age: Chapter: Location: Day: Time: Start: End:
Acting Out! 8-12 Austin
(Winter 2025)		 Hope Chapel Tue 6:00pm - 8:00pm Jan 07 Mar 04
CYT Lite Show: Seussical Jr. 7-12 Austin
(Winter 2025)		 Bethany United Methodist Church Thu 6:00pm - 8:00pm Jan 09 Mar 06
Dance Mash-up: Lion King (Friday Homeschool Class) 10-18 Austin
(Winter 2025)		 Hope Chapel Fri 9:30am - 11:30am Jan 10 Mar 07
Face The Stage: The Art of Theatrical Makeup! 13-18 Austin
(Winter 2025)		 Hope Chapel Tue 6:00pm - 8:00pm Jan 07 Mar 04
Hip Hop Fusion 12-18 Austin
(Winter 2025)		 Bethany United Methodist Church Thu 6:00pm - 8:00pm Jan 09 Mar 06
Hip Hop Fusion 12-18 Austin
(Winter 2025)		 Hope Chapel Tue 6:00pm - 8:00pm Jan 07 Mar 04
Intro to Shakespeare: “Be Not Afraid (of Greatness!”) Friday Homeschool Class 12-18 Austin
(Winter 2025)		 Hope Chapel Fri 9:30am - 11:30am Jan 10 Mar 07

CYT’s Triple Threat

Each class will be infused with character development and arts training for each student. Our goal is that every student leaves our classes feeling more confident in who they were created to be as well as their performing arts skills. CYT is recognized for excellence in theater arts training. Our uniqueness, however, goes beyond our programming and instead lies in our dedication to CYT’s Character, Culture, and Craft. These three elements comprise CYT’s Triple Threat.

CYT Character

CYT believes in building character on and off the stage, and that character is rooted in CHRISTIAN values such as love, joy, peace, kindness, perseverance, and dedication. Every instruction is rooted in these values.

CYT Culture

CYT’s culture is one of inclusiveness. We welcome all and remain committed to providing a vibrant and fun atmosphere with our focus on YOUTH. With this commitment comes a promise of providing family-friendly productions that are appropriate for young audiences.

CYT Craft

CYT is committed to providing excellent training in our THEATER craft by staying informed of National VAPA (Visual and Performing Arts) standards. CYT hires qualified Teaching Artists and Artistic Teams who consistently elevate our students’ knowledge of theater arts.

Have Questions?

Don't worry, we have answers! Just follow the link below to read through our Frequently Asked Questions. You can also send an email to webmaster@cytaustin.org and we will get back to you promptly!
 
Classes FAQ

Inquiring about scholarships?

CYT is pleased to offer financial assistance to families who would otherwise not be able to participate in our programs.  Click below for our scholarship application.  Please fill out the form and return it to webmaster@cytaustin.org.  Decisions will be made one week prior to class start.
Class Scholarship Application

I cannot even begin to describe the impact that CYT has had on my life. There I was, welcomed with open arms, despite all of the flaws I thought made me so undesirable.

Alexandra Gandy, CYT Student

Current Teachers:

Ashten Falter

Hello! I am an Austin-based Film and Theater Artist. I graduated with a BFA in Musical Theater from Rider University and am currently working on my Digital Video Certificate at Austin School of Film. I have had the privilege of working with CYT Austin on Matilda Jr. (Stage Manager and Assistant Choreographer), Frozen Jr. (Stage Manager, Assistant Director and Run Crew Manager), and am currently serving as Director for Willy Wonka Kids. Previously, I worked at Brentwood Christian School as Choir Director and as Music Director for The Addams Family in 2022. I am currently producing, directing, editing and filming various projects with local artists. I hope to share my passion for storytelling with all my students and empower each child to find their own form of artistic expression.

Carol D'Avila

Carol Feille D’Avila owned and operated The AustinConservatory of Dance/of the Arts in 1991 which began as a neighborhood studio offering classical ballet, coupled with training in jazz, modern, character and tap dance. The program expanded to include a Musical Theatre curriculum in the late 90’s. Carol is also the Executive and Artistic Director of The Austin City Ballet 501©3 for 22 years and is a registered Member of The Royal Academy of Dance. After dancing with the North County Ballet Company in high school in California, under the direction of Victor Moreno of The Ballet Russe, she studied drama and dance at The University of Southern California, and graduated with a B.A. in Fine Arts Interdisciplinary from the University of California at Irvine. She is a member of the Round Rock Council of the Arts and served as President for 2 years. Carol has had the opportunity to choreograph for the musical GREASE at the Georgetown Palace Theater in the fall of 2021. She is feeling grateful to have had a career in her dream job, and plans to keep going until she can’t!

Cassidy Fraley

Born and raised in Bakersfield, CA, Cassidy got her start in Theater at the age of 9 when she played Grandma Fa in the local youth theatre summer program. The first time the audience laughed, Cassidy was hooked. She majored in Musical Theater at Texas Christian University, and in her sophomore year, was encouraged by staff and friends to go to New York City and go after her dreams. Cassidy has been taking voice lessons since the age of 12, and loves learning the possibilities of what the human instrument is Capable of. Some of her favorite roles include Fiona in Shrek, Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray, Lily in the Secret Garden, and Miss Andrews in Mary Poppins. Since moving to Austin in August, Cassidy has been the Music Specialist for Challenger School in Avery Ranch, and she loves teaching her students all about what true musicianship looks like. Prior to her move, Cassidy owned her own private voice studio, Performer Up Studios. When not working, Cassidy loves to serve at Celebration Church, sharing her love of Jesus with others, and playing board games with her friends.

Julie Novak

Julie Novak has been teaching and directing theater in a school and community setting for over 20 years. While teaching at the renowned Valley Christian Conservatory, in San Jose, California, she developed her own theater arts curriculum for students 6-8 grades and a curriculum for students 6-12 grade while teaching and directing at Summit Christian Academy in Austin, Texas. Julie has directed plays, musicals, one acts, musical reviews, competition scenes, concerts and benefit shows too numerous to count! She has been trained in a multitude of acting techniques, such as the Wheeler Recording Method, On Camera Acting, Improvisational Acting, various vocal genres and public speaking. Outside of her teaching career she has worked as an acting coach, speaker, ghostwriter, vocalist and done voice over studio work. Her greatest love is working with young people in the arts and helping them develop confidence and belief in their personal gift set. Julie began CYT Austin In January of 2015 after she felt called to take her passion to speak life and encouragement into young people through the arts, outside the walls of a school and into her community.

Karen Craxton

Karen Craxton has a degree in fashion and had a career with watches until she became a mother. She found a second life for her training in color, design, and historical fashions in her role as CYT Austin's Hair and Makeup designer for the mainstage productions since 2018. She has completed makeup training with professionals from LA and in NYC and continues to learn about all the possibilities with stage makeup! Karen is the HYPE advisor for CYT Austin and enjoys working with students of all ages as they discover their value in the Lord.

Talisa Davis

Talisa is a teacher and choreographer from NY. She began training in several styles at a young age & graduated with a B.A. in Dance & Psychology. She has since been blessed with opportunities as a dancer and/or choreographer for commercials (DSW, Sparksight, SUAVS shoes), music videos for artists seen on The X Factor, Gap Inc., Austin Festivals, Dance to Breathe, Disney Events, South by Southwest, SXSW Film Festival, MTV Live and Old Navy & more! In her classes, she teaches with the goal of creating a safe space for play, creativity, and self-expression as dancers.