Christian Youth Theater is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit organization with
EIN #82-0577887. Since revenue from ticket sales and class tuition is not enough to cover operating costs, every dollar you contribute assures that CYT can continue to deliver top-notch, affordable programming and achieve its goals in developing character in children and adults one stage at a time.
As you can imagine - and as many of you have experienced - this year has been full of blessings and struggles. We've made every effort to remain a place for students to enjoy theater and grow in their relationships with other students who share their same interests.
We love the amazing community Rebecca has found with CYT. It has been a huge boost to her spirits that CYT continued online classes, rehearsals, and virtual watch parties during COVID.--Jon and Lisa R., CYT Parents and Volunteers
We'd love you to consider supporting our work as part of your yearly giving. We have a variety of monthly expenses that remain whether we're able to conduct programming or not. Nearly all of our revenue derives from our ability to conduct classes and offer enjoyable theater experiences for the community. We also want to be able to offer support to families who might need assistance due to the toll of the pandemic.
Please read these thoughts from our Artistic Director, Anna Kilbride:
Dear CYT Family and Friends,
As many of you know, I am a passionate believer in the arts and the impact that they have on students and society. I am currently Artistic Director of CYT Atlanta, an after-school, non-profit Theater program whose mission is to build character through training in the arts and by producing wholesome family entertainment. This #givingtuesday, I am asking you to considering donating to our program.
WHY SHOULD I DONATE?
Covid has hit every small business hard, causing many challenges and a lot of financial distress. CYT Atlanta had to cancel shows, programs and activities during this time. However, we continue to have monthly bills and expenses. We wish to continue to provide great theatrical and character building programs in the future. Theater is an important place for students to connect with one another, release stress, and grow confidence.
Here are some other things we are proud of:
1. We never turn a student away! CYT Atlanta scholarships CYT classes and camps for all students with financial needs. We believe that every student has a right to learn about theater in a safe environment. Your donation could go towards a scholarship for a deserving family.
2. We believe in cooperation not competition. When many other companies focus on the competitive side of theater, we focus on the collaborative side. Every student has intrinsic value from God, and we all work together to create beautiful art.
3. We encourage students, we don't defeat them. Character traits like hard work, perseverance, and determination always out-weigh talent. We don't create divas, we reward discipline.
4. We are a safe environment where students find family. We love each other through struggles, praise each other in victories, and support one another in all endeavors. We are all-inclusive!
5. We create leaders. Through programs like 'Camp Assistants', 'Show-Buddies,' and 'HYPE (High School Youth Pursuing Excellence)' we encourage students to be mentors and give back to the community.
WHAT SHOULD I DONATE?
Any little bit can make a huge difference. For instance, $50 pays for an hour of facility rental at one of our locations. $200 can scholarship a student for a week of camp, while $275 gives a student 15 classes. You can see a Wish List of items on our website.
MY CYT STORY
CYT families know that everyone who has every participated at CYT has their own CYT Story.
Mine started over ten years ago, when I moved to Atlanta with my husband. While looking for a job, I googled 'Christian Theaters,' and CYT was the first company to pop up.
As God would have it, they were literally a block from my house. I started working for CYT almost immediately, teaching classes, as Show Coordinator, and as Camp Director. After college, my self-worth was at an all time low. I was scared, lonely, and frankly felt like a fraud in everything.
CYT changed all that. In my first year, I sat in a bathroom with a student while she cried about a lost family member, stayed 20 minutes after class to encourage a student who felt lonely because they had no friends at school, had the opportunity to tell a student the true meaning behind the cross she wore around her neck.
Every time, God showed me that worth comes from Him and what He could do through me. I have watched students grow up from unsure middle school students to amazing college grads. I have seen kids go from 'oh, no, where do I cast them?' to 'This student can name their Musical Theater College Program.'
And every student teaches me everyday, about things like family, resilience, unconditional love, determination, grief, passion, and so much more! This year has been especially difficult, as we have had to cancel programs and activities.
However, you can’t cancel family…and we continued to provide online resources, encourage each other through zoom, and love one another through new Covid friendly activities. Through it all, God has provided for us, and CYT is excited to offer ‘regular’ programming this spring
If you are touched by my story and know someone who might want to support our program, please share it with them. You can also Support CYT by being Prayer Warriors for our program. Make your tax deductible donation to CYTAtlanta at
www.cytatlanta.org/donate.
Anna Kilbride
Artistic Director
www.cytatlanta.org
Find Your Character
