CYT Chicago Newsletter
The Point
     The Point
  January 2012
         Issue #13      
Greetings!

 

It's a New Year! We're excited here at CYT to complete the 2nd half of our 15th season! So what does a New Year mean in CYTland? Well....

  1. New show. HERCULES is coming in the spring. Brand spanking new- brought  to you by Adam & Courtney Walsh, writers of Tall Tales!
  2. New look. We're making over our office with new pics from our recent shows. Stop by and see if YOUR face is gracing our walls. 
  3. New challenge. We're asking all our CYT cast members to bring YOUR school to see your show. You'll be getting more details at classes- CAN YOU DO IT?!?!?!?
  4. New area. 2012 introduces.... CYT Milwaukee, WI! Please be in prayer for these guys as they start up classes and hold auditions for their first ever show: Godspell directed by our very own Executive Director: Justin Parks!
  5. New surprises. Stay tuned as we continue to celebrate our 15th season, get summer camp geared up, make letter writing our most successful, and make sure that 2012 is the best CYT year ever!
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Kane Winter 2011

Send us your stories, ideas, perspective, quotes, limericks,
poetry, memories, updates, and homemade cookies to: 
Closing a Door, Opening a Window
For the last 9 years, Linda Mitroff has served on CYT Chicago's Board, including serving as our President. She has brought amazing leadership, ideas, creativity and insight to our organization. The Lord has opened up a new opportunity for Linda and her husband, and they will be relocating. We will truly miss you, Linda!

It has been a tremendous privilege to be a part of the CYT Board of Directors for the last 9 yrs. I have seen CYT grown in numbers, maturity and influence in the community. I have witnessed children grow in their skill sets, confidence and character. I have seen staff members who have dedicated themselves to hard work and the commitment to see as many children experience theater and the riches it can add to their lives. I have also seen staff create an atmosphere where kids can learn theater yes, but also submission to authority, team building and a sense of community and belonging. An atmosphere where they learn "it's not about me." I have also witnessed parents who have given and sacrificed way more than their "20 hours," to serve on committees that are the backbone of a CYT production. I also witnessed 10 committed board members who met monthly, sometimes more, who worked diligently behind the scenes insuring that CYT stayed on the right course, one that would honor the Lord in every decision we made.

To all of you, children, parents, staff, and board members thank you. You have brought so much joy to my heart when I have seen you work in your giftedness and your passion. I have been so blessed to see children shine in their abilities. Staff, I have loved your diligence and hard work and your ability to spin many plates, often at the same time! To the board, I have loved working with you and serving this amazing organization called CYT. My husband Dave and I are heading into a new adventure as we start a new chapter in our lives at Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids, Michigan. We leave behind many a
friends, not least of which is our CYT community. Who knows, maybe CYT may start a new affiliate in Grand Rapids?.....only God knows! So just as we end our shows with a collective point from the cast, I end my time with CYT pointing to Our Heavenly Father. May He get the Praise due His Name. - Linda Mitroff

For you, O Lord, have made me glad by your work; at the work of your hands I sing for joy. How great are your works, O Lord! Psalm 92:4,5




10 Quick Questions: Traci Johnson
In DuPage, two prop moms (Tracy/Traci) have been co-chairing props for several years. Their creativity and innovations make our shows look awesome. The "Tracies" are just a few examples of the hundreds of parents that work behind the scenes making our shows such high quality. Traci Johnson share some thoughts with us about her experiences.
Traci works on props at DuPage's "Joseph"

1.How many shows have you worked on props?  13 shows (so far). Charlotte's Web in 2007 was my first show and I have worked on each show since then.

2. What do you like about working props? I like every aspect of props from pulling props at the CYT warehouse, to shopping at thrift stores, to crafting things we need to create, designing the stage and working with the kids backstage.

3. What is the strangest or most difficult prop you've ever created? The strangest prop we created (in collaboration with costumes) was the hats and gloves with long fingernails for the Collective in Alice. One of the most difficult props was the wilting rose for Beauty and the Beast. The hard part was we needed the rose to look full and beautiful at the beginning of the show and then look mostly dead with one petal left by the end of the show. Plus, we wanted the flower to look like it was suspended within the glass case. A creative team made the whole thing come together and looked really good for the show, but it wasn't easy.

4. What has been your favorite show to work on and why? Some of my favorites were Oliver, Peter Pan, Beauty and the Beast, Alice, and, most recently, Aladdin. What makes them my favorite is how fun they are to put together, a wonderful directing team to work for, and a terrific prop team that works well together.

5. What advice would you give to CYT kids to become strong leaders? Start when you are young by listening to and respecting the directors, then as you become older find opportunities to help serve those around you. Remember always to "Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people." (Col. 3:23). Too many times our motivation for doing things is caught up in wanting people to like us, but that doesn't really matter. What really matters is living for the Lord and helping those around us to live for Him, too. Being a strong leader isn't about being popular. It's about doing what is right even if it's not popular. Jesus came to serve and not to be served. Since He is our example, strong leadership means being willing to serve others with a grateful heart.
6. Tell us about the prop set up at the theater. Each prop is then placed on the tables in order from left to right starting with Act 1 Scene 1 to the end of the show. We then outline each prop with a marker onto the paper. We do this for a few reasons: 1. so that the person using the prop knows exactly where to get the prop and where to put it back as soon as they're done using it and 2. so that the prop team can tell at a quick glance what is missing. That way we don't have panic moments during a show frantically looking for something that is needed right away.

7. What is your favorite "behind the scenes" CYT memory? One of my favorite "behind the scenes" CYT memory is during Peter Pan when the backstage crew and prop team were dancing the curtain call dance behind the sets on stage while the kids were dancing  on stage. At the MAC Theater, the stage there is huge and there was plenty of room behind the set pieces for us to dance and not be seen. We had a ton of fun behind those sets!

8. Any advice for budding young prop masters? My number one advice is prayer! Every show has at least one "difficult" item that we're not sure we'll be able to find or make, but something always "just happens" to come our way to help us out!  Always be on the look-out for creative ideas-you never know where a solution to a problem will be. Finally, have fun!

9. How have you seen faith and theater work together at CYT? I have seen faith permeate every aspect of CYT: starting with all the prayer that goes into each and every show-- at auditions, at each of the rehearsals, and parents getting together to pray for the show.  I also enjoy the many different worship times throughout the process of the show. Then there are the scripture references that the kids put in their bios and those scriptures are posted around the hallways and green room for all us to read and remember during the shows. 

10.What do you love most about CYT? THE PEOPLE! I especially love working with the kids! I love all the friends I have made and look forward to making more friends in the years to come. I have had the privilege of being a part of CYT for 4-5 years now and have seen the kids of CYT grow and mature into wonderful young men and women. What an honor! This is a great group of people and I hope I can be a part of this group for a while longer! TO GOD BE THE GLORY!
Make Some Noise!

Oak Park Music Video
Oak Park Music Video
Last year, the Oak Park cast got together in the CYT warehouse with their directing team, some creativity, costumes and props to make a music video! Check it out! 
 
Announcing Summer Camp 2012
Get Ready! It's coming SOON! Summer camp registration will be opening at the end of Jan/early Feb. This is gonna be the BEST SUMMER EVER!

And make sure to check out our Spring Break Camps!



 
Kids ages 5-12
"Disney's Movie Magic!" &   "Kids on Broadway!



Spring Break Camp:
Ages 5-12
(In Select Locations Only)
"Ticket to Disney"
Day Camp Ages 11-17
"Broadway Next Generation"













Overnight Middle School/High School Camp

Performing a FULL show!
"Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
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In This Issue
Mitroff's Movin' On
10 Quick Questions: Traci
Oak Park's Music Video
Summer Camp 2012
Join Our Mailing List
Don't Miss Our Winter Shows.
Click on the show logo for tickets!

Aurora:
Joseph & the Amazing...
 
Batavia High School PAC
1200 W. Wilson
 Batavia, IL

Fri, Feb 17th - 7:00 pm
Sat, Feb 18th - 2:00 pm
Sat, Feb 18th - 6:00 pm
Sun, Feb 19th - 2:00 pm
Sat, Feb 25th - 2:00 pm
Sat, Feb 25th - 6:00 pm
Sun, Feb 26th - 2:00 pm

DuPage: Willy Wonka Jr.
College of DuPage
425 Fawell Blvd
Glen Ellyn, IL

Thurs, Feb 2nd - 7:00 pm
Fri, Feb 3rd - 7:00 pm
Sat, Feb 4th - 2:00 pm
Sat, Feb 4th - 6:00 pm
Sun, Feb 5th - 2:00 pm
Sun, Feb 5th - 6:00 pm

Kane: Annie Jr.
The Hemmens Auditorium
45 Symphony Way
Elgin, IL

Fri, Feb 10th - 7:00 pm
Sat, Feb 11th - 2:00 pm
Sat, Feb 11th - 6:00 pm
Sun, Feb 12th - 2:00 pm

Kenosha: Sound of Music
Reuther Auditorium
913 57th St.
Kenosha, WI

Fri, Mar 2nd - 7:00 pm
Sat, Mar 3rd - 2:00 pm
Sat, Mar 3rd - 6:00 pm
Sun, Mar 4th - 2:00 p

Lake: The Little Mermaid
College of Lake County
19351 W. Washington
 Grayslake, IL

Thur, Feb 9th - 7:00 pm
Fri, Feb 10th - 7:00 pm
Sat, Feb 11th - 2:00 pm
Sat, Feb 11th - 6:00 pm
Sun, Feb 12th - 2:00 pm
Sun, Feb 12th - 6:00 pm

McHenry: Disney's Aladdin Jr.
Huntley High School PAC
13719 Harmony Rd.
Huntley, IL

Fri, Feb 17th - 7:00 pm
Sat, Feb 18th - 2:00 pm
Sat, Feb 18th - 6:00 pm
Sun, Feb 19th - 3:00 pm
Fri, Feb 24th - 7:00 pm
Sat, Feb 25th - 2:00 pm
Sat, Feb 25th - 6:00 pm
Sun, Feb 26th - 3:00 pm

Milwaukee: Godspell
St. Thomas More HS PAC
2601 Morgan St.
Milwaukee, WI

Fri, Mar 23rd - 7:00 pm
Sat, Mar 24th - 2:00 pm
Sun, Mar 25th - 2:00 pm
Fri, Mar 30th - 7:00 pm
Sat, Mar 31st - 2:00 pm
Sat, Mar 31st - 6:00 pm
Sun, April 1st - 2:00 pm

NW Cook: Wizard of Oz
Prairie Lakes Theater
515 E Thacker.
Des Plaines, IL

Fri, Feb 10th - 7:00 pm
Sat, Feb 11th - 2:00 pm
Sat, Febr 11th - 6:00 pm
Sun, Feb 12th - 2:00 pm
Fri, Feb 17th - 7:00 pm
Sat, Feb 18th - 2:00 pm
Sat, Feb 18th - 6:00 pm
Sun, Feb 19th - 2:00 pm
Sun, Feb 19th - 6:00 pm


Oak Park: Narnia
Arts Center of Oak Park
200 N. Oak Park Ave
Oak Park, IL

Fri, Feb 17th - 7:00 pm
Sat, Feb 18th - 2:00 pm
Sat, Feb 18th - 6:00 pm
Sun, Feb 19th - 2:00 pm
Sun, Feb 19th - 6:00 pm


Rockford: Beauty & the Beast Jr.
Rockford College
5050 E. State St.
Rockford, IL

Fri, Mar 2nd - 7:00 pm
Sat, Mar 3rd - 2:00 pm
Sat, Mar 3rd - 6:00 pm
Sun, Mar 4th - 2:00 pm
Fri, Mar 9th - 7:00 pm
Sat, Mar 10th - 2:00 pm
Sat, Mar 10th - 6:00 pm
Sun, Mar 11th - 2:00 pm

CYT Chicago

755 Industrial

Cary, IL 60013

847-516-2298

www.cytchicago.org 

 

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