Production Details

We are so excited that you are joining our CYT Dallas family in this awesome production adventure!

Our shows are a unique and exciting endeavor. We work together to create a professional production in just eight weeks. The show and rehearsal process are vital tools in our mission to develop character through training in the arts. Not only will your student learn to perform, but they will also learn who they are and their value as a member of the cast.

CYT Productions are fast-paced. We do an enormous amount in just a few weeks. There are loads of details to manage, places to be, and responsibilities that all of us carry so that your student’s experience can be the best it can be. 

Our Mission

Christian Youth Theater develops character and creativity through quality theater arts training that brings families and communities together while reflecting Jesus.

We operate our productions according to this mission and our values. 
  • Loving God and Loving your Neighbor - Matthew 22:37-40
  • Being a Light in the World - John 8:12
  • Exhibiting the Fruits of the Spirit - Galatians 5:22
  • Encouraging one another - 1 Thessalonians 5:11
  • Building a strong work ethic - Colossians 3:23-24
Our Values:
  • Character over competition: Our intentional focus is on knowing Jesus and becoming more like Him. We earnestly desire growth in love for God, in the knowledge of His love for us, and in a humble life that pours out love towards others.
  • People over programs: We exist for our communities: those we know and those we have yet to meet. We love God, and we love and value His people for who they uniquely are and not just what they can do for our organization.
  • Service over spotlight: We believe in serving others in sacrificial and tangible ways. We exist for opportunities to know and see needs and to meet them as the body of Christ. We see leadership through the lens of servant leadership, as best demonstrated in the person and work of Jesus. 
  • Excellence over ego: We value giving God our first and our best. Excellence is our simplest expression of giving back to God the gifts and talents with which He has blessed us. We don’t seek perfection as a means of outward praise but excellence as a form of worship from a heart of gratitude and diligence.
Our Commitment to Safety

Performer Commitment

  • 150% Effort and an A+ Attitude
  • Attendance at Auditions and Callbacks.
  • Attendance at all rehearsals, except when excused in advance on your audition form or by Director's rehearsal schedule. 
  • Attendance at all performances.
  • Memorizing all lines, songs and dances. We often say, "Private Practice Before Corporate Rehearsal," which means that you are practicing your material at home in order to be prepared for the next rehearsal. 
  • Being responsive to and respectful of our directors, volunteers, fellow cast and crew, and staff.
  • Completing all responsibilities before leaving a rehearsal or performance.
Staff & Volunteer Commitment to Character

Family Expectations

Accepting a role in a CYT production is a significant commitment for the student and the family. Through this process, students and families learn the value of collaboration, responsibility, and hard work, while making friends and having fun. Parent commitment is a vital part of the CYT process. With fully committed students, parents, and the CYT Artistic Team working together, we will stage an amazing production.

Before your student auditions, review the production expectations. This is what you and your family are
committing to. Understanding this ahead of time will prepare you and your student to have the best possible CYT experience. More details on each of these elements can be found in later sections on this page. 

Parents and families are the heart and hands of the workforce and we cannot produce what we do without you! This is why we require at least one parent to register with volunteer hub and be background checked prior to casting a student. 
Background Check for Adult Volunteers

Family Time Commitment

  • Be engaged and involved in our production's needs. This includes set construction, costuming, props sourcing and creation, front-of-house shifts and other essential tasks and errands. 
  • Review the Cast Hub with your student, making sure they have transportation at appropriate times for rehearsal. Do not assume that they are called to the full length of rehearsal every weekend. 
  • Attendance at the Production Kickoff, which coincides with the first rehearsal.
  • Participation in Strike, following the last performance. There are responsibilities for both cast and family members. 
  • Provide or purchase snacks, lunch, and water for your student (as needed) at all rehearsals.
  • Attend Open Auditions with your student.
As we continue to train more tech students, and empower them to apply their skills to the production, we require fewer adults in technical and crew positions during the show. There are still a few positions which require adults. 

Show week opportunities for adults include:
  • Green Room Supervisors (uses Crew application for selection*)
  • Ushers (Volunteer Shifts through the app.)
  • Concessions, Souvenirs and Merchandise Sales (Volunteer Shifts through the app.)
*When the crew application is available for each show, it will be found on the "links" menu at the top of the auditions page and the Cast Hub.
Volunteer Hub (sign up for opportunities!)

Production Fees

The Production Fee is a one-time fee of $175.00 per student for each production, due before submitting your audition details.

We are pleased to share that our production fee has never increased in ten seasons. It is still only $175 per student, even though our costs have increased across every production department. We are unfortunately unable to give scholarships or discounts on this amount.

Once paid, your production fee can be applied to either show, Youth Troupe or Mainstage, but there are no refunds if you decide not to participate in the show. If you are young enough to audition for the Youth Troupe show, we do not guarantee casting in the Mainstage Show, even if that would be your preference. We encourage younger students to audition for both shows if they are interested in the Mainstage Show.

Additional Financial Commitments

These costs are PER STUDENT / PER PRODUCTION unless indicated. Students MUST be enrolled in one (1) CYT Dallas class in the current session in order to audition for a show. See our classes page for tuition costs.

Each cast member agrees to sell a minimum of 20 tickets to the show. 
  • Families with more than one student in a show in the same session can sell a total of 25 tickets as a family instead of 20/student. 
  • Tickets sold to both Youth Troupe and Mainstage productions in the same session count toward the total requirement. Project Play tickets do NOT count toward this requirement. 
  • Any ticket quantity short of the minimum tickets sold will be assessed at $20 per ticket and added to the family account balance. Students will not be eligible to sign up for new classes or audition for another show until this balance is paid. 
  • We understand that families have unique circumstances, such as being new to the area. We encourage you to be creative in engaging your local community to come to the show. This is not a requirement that we are able to waive. 
Other expected costs:
  • Purchasing & equipping a Show Box.
    • The box and many supplies carry over from show to show. See the link below for more about show boxes.
  • Purchasing a Stage Make-up Kit.
    • Can be used for multiple shows. We recommend and offer for sale the Ben Nye Theatrical Creme Personal Kit. 
  • Shoes and tights or socks, depending on show-specific requirements.
    • Shoes may be Jazz Shoes, Tap Shoes, Character Shoes, Men's Dress Shoes, low profile canvas shoes, chelsea boots or something else. Most can be ordered on Amazon from $25-$35 and can be used for multiple shows.
  • Modesty wear- typically tank top and bike shorts for under your costume. Colors may vary between flesh-toned, white, black, or another neutral color. More information will be posted on the show-specific cast hub. 
  • Optional items: Congratulatory Ads, Pre-Order Souvenir Items, Digital Photos & Show Video. In order to keep our base production fee low as our own costs rise, show shirts are now available as a separate purchase.
Your Personal Show Box/ Bin

CYT Dallas Calendar and Rehearsal Schedules

  • Regular rehearsals are held Fridays, from 5:30pm-9:00pm and Saturdays from 9:00am- 3:30pm. We take a lunch break on Saturdays around noon. Please bring a lunch with you, or arrange to have lunch dropped off at noon. Note that Door Dash/Grub Hub/Uber Eats all need special directions to bring your food to the correct building. If they leave it at the front door of the main church building, it is far away and we have no way to safely get it to you. 
  • All cast will not be called to every rehearsal, but you agree to reserve all the dates for rehearsal when you audition. Detailed rehearsal schedules will be posted as available on the Cast Hub. You can see the dates on the embedded calendar below as well as the "calandar at a glance" below.
  • Performers have an opportunity to submit conflicts with rehearsal dates on their audition form. 
     
CYT Dallas Calendar at a Glance (Download PDF)

Production Communications

There are all kinds of show-specific details waiting for you on on the Cast Hub!
Cast members receive the password to the Cast Hub in your casting email. 

Once the show has been cast, all show information will be communicated via the Cast Hub. Performers are also expected to use the Cast Hub to practice their material outside of corporate rehearsal and be prepared for each next rehearsal. We offer resources there including breakdown of vocal parts, choreography videos and notes from directors. 

The Cast Hub has replaced "the callboard" and will automatically stay updated with show information like rehearsal schedules. You don't have to wait for updates on a certain day of the week-  just click the Cast Hub button below! You should check the Cast Hub at least weekly and before you come to rehearsal.

We do not send email updates, so make a habit to check the Cast Hub on a regular basis! 

We do use our CYT Dallas app notifications to send cast updates, announcements, and important reminders. You can find the CYT Dallas App on the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store. 
See the Cast Hub (Requires Password)

Rehearsal Guidelines

Our rehearsals are hard work and we accomplish a surprising amount. In order for this to work, we need everyone’s best attitude and effort. We have a few standards for behavior that help us get the most done together. Your student needs to be familiar with these standards.
  • What to Bring to Every Rehearsal
    • pencil and script or rehearsal workbook
    • quiet downtime activities
    • personal dry snacks. (no nuts)
    • proper shoes- no crocs, sandals, slides, bare feet or sock feet
    • non-spillable water bottle that seals completely- no cups with straw lids, fast food cups or coffee/tea shop cups
    • No gum chewing.
  • CYT Rehearsal is a Phone-Free Zone. Upon arrival, all students are required to check their phones into the designated box, where they will remain until the end of rehearsal.
  • Rehearsals are CLOSED. That means that parents, siblings or friends are not able to sit in on the rehearsals. This allows the cast to give their full focus to the rehearsal process.
  • We will start rehearsals on time. So our slogan is, “10 minutes early is ON TIME!” Arriving when we begin is considered late. We have limited rehearsal time and need to use it all effectively. Don’t be late.
  • Keep your hands to yourself. Absolutely no roughhousing. No PDA.
  • Respect and defer to all Artistic Team and staff. 
    • It is the directors' and staff’s responsibility alone to run the rehearsal, give notes, and correct behavior.
    • Rehearsal is the time to learn, and that starts with listening. Pay attention to your director, music director, choreographer and coaches. When they are not working directly with you, stay quiet so that others can hear them.
    • There will likely be times when you have down-time during rehearsals. Sit quietly, working quietly on something you brought with you, or on your own show material.
  • Respect our rehearsal venue. Do not move things unless asked to. Stay in the designated rehearsal area, no wandering the building. Never run unless it is required in a scene to do so.
  • Pick up after yourself. Clean up what you use. 
Always give your best! It will be exactly what is needed. Our lives belong to The LORD, our show belongs to The LORD, and our talents belong to The LORD! Raise them up to Him!

Productions Dress Code

We believe that every student deserves to feel comfortable, respected, and able to move freely as they learn and perform. We understand that clothing fits every body differently, and that finding modest and appropriate attire can look different for each individual. Our dress code is not meant to single anyone out or restrict personal style, but rather to create a safe, distraction-free environment where everyone can focus on growing their skills.

Please wear modest, movement-friendly clothing, closed-toe shoes (no flip-flops, slides, or Crocs), and have hair pulled back out of your face.

More specifically for rehearsal:
  • No short shorts, crop tops, low-cut tops, form-fitting tops, or spaghetti straps.
  • Tops – Must cover the midriff, chest, and undergarments. 
  • Bottoms – Shorts and skirts should reach about mid-thigh
  • Movement wear – Students should wear clothing they can comfortably dance, stretch, and move in.

Attendance Policy

Cast members are required to be present and on time for all rehearsals to which they are called. Arrive 10 minutes early. Roll is taken at all rehearsals.

You will have the opportunity on your audition form to tell the Artistic Team about any
planned absences, such as scheduled family vacations. Any absences not disclosed prior to casting are considered unexcused, except for illness. Note: Coming late or taking a cast member out of rehearsal early is the same as an absence, and needs to be planned just like any other absence.

Cast attendance is mandatory for Tech Week, and all performances, including School Day performances. Arrive 10 minutes early for all call times. If you have an emergency, and will be late or will miss a rehearsal or performance, you must CALL Stage management. No emails or texts.

Important Note: Regardless of reason, excused or unexcused, if a cast member misses rehearsal (or is late for rehearsal or leaves rehearsal early), unless it was previously stated AT AUDITIONS – there is a strong possibility that they will be removed from any scenes or songs that were taught that day. This is not a punishment; it is simply a natural consequence of the pace of our rehearsal schedule. New material is learned each week and then we move on. We don’t have the time to back up and re-teach material for cast members who were not present.

Illness Policy

In order to have productive rehearsals, each student needs to be well enough to fully participate. If your student is sick or contagious with fever, strep throat, conjunctivitis (Pink Eye), Chicken Pox, flu, rash or a cold with excessive sneezing or coughing, keep them home. Please make sure your student is free of contagious symptoms, including fever, for 24 hours before returning to rehearsals.

If your student needs to miss a rehearsal due to illness, they must call Stage Management the day prior, or as soon as possible, to be excused. If your student misses rehearsal more than 2 times due to illness, it will be evaluated by the artistic team whether they will be able to make up missed material. If you are ill and miss rehearsal, it is your responsibility to study the missed material on the Cast Hub and reach out to dance captains, stage management or directing team to learn what you missed. 

Additional Guidelines for Show Week ("Tech Week")

See the specific production schedule on the cast hub for each individual show. We may add all technical elements and costumes beginning on Monday of show week, or we may stagger the introduction of sets, lights, costumes, make-up, etc. Be aware of the crew when they are working; they have a job to do too!

We typically do not start using the dressing rooms and green room until costumes are introduced for first dress rehearsal.
  • Before costumes are introduced, we "work out of the house," which means that the cast remains in the audience seating area when they are not being used onstage. 
  • Sign in and turn in your phones as per usual, whether we are based in the house or the green room. 
  • When we start using the dressing rooms and green room, whether it is upstairs at the Character Factory, or backstage at The Lewisville Grand, all Green Room guidelines apply to the full area. 
  • There will be a designated Green Room/Worship space where Cast Members will gather to wait for their onstage times. Cast members do not linger in the major hallway in the Grand, nor in the upstairs hallway at the Character Factory. Girls do not enter boys dressing rooms, and boys do not the girls dressing rooms. Dressing rooms are for changing, but waiting and hanging out happens in the Green Room gathering area.
WHAT TO BRING TO TECH WEEK
  • Show box - Every one must have a show box. You can begin to bring your show box on Monday, but it is not required until we move into the dressing rooms. You can leave it at the theater after you have brought it. Your show box will go on your laminated name plate. Your personal possessions need to stay in your show box.
  • Onstage work will stop and start according to technical needs, so cast should be prepared for personal, quiet, downtime. Phones and electronic games are not permitted during this time. School-issued iPads/Chrome books may be used for HOMEWORK only. 
  • Please bring healthy snacks that will give you energy. Make sure the food you bring is easy to eat, does not require a microwave, and creates no mess on your costumes. We suggest an overshirt (button up) in your show box for eating. Still NO NUTS! Still NO GUM!
  • Same rules as rehearsal for water bottles- sealable. No cups, soda, coffee, tea. 
  • Tuesday of Tech Week is traditionally called "TuTu Tuesday" and you are welcome to wear a Tutu over your regular clothing to rehearsal. If we are using costumes on Tuesday, you will not wear it over your costume. 
  •  Shoes must be worn the entire time you are at the theater. There are no bare feet or sock feet allowed at any time backstage or in Green Room. You may wear slides/crocs to the theater until you change into your show shoes, but make sure you remember to change into those show shoes before places!! We have unfortunately seen more than one pair of accidental Crocs onstage!
  • Bring a good dose of patience, grace, and respect to tech week! Practice joy and gratitude in all circumstances!
More About Show Boxes

Dress Rehearsals and Performance Instructions

HOW TO ARRIVE:
  • Arrive between 5-15 minutes before your call time. We are not prepared to receive you earlier than 15 minutes prior to your call time and if you arrive later than 5 minutes early, you will not be prepared to get to work at your call time. Remember to include time to park, walk inside, sign in and turn in your phone!
  • Have your base hairstyle and make-up done. If you have specialty make-up or wigs/hairstyles, you will be assigned a time to come to the make-up room. The hair and makeup room is never a hang out area. Please do not help yourself to the makeup or hair tools.
  • Already wearing proper modesty wear as determined by the show- the right color shorts and tank tops for under your costumes. Please do not walk around in just your modesty wear. You must be in your street clothes or costume when you leave the dressing rooms.
  • We put clean bodies in costumes, so please shower daily during tech week and show days.  Everyone must wear deodorant and reapply during your downtime.
  • In most cases, nails should be natural nails that do not distract from the show.
  • LEAVE AT HOME: all modern jewelry including watches, friendship bracelets, necklaces, personal earrings unless approved by director or costume coordinator. 
Be ready to follow all instructions from the Green Room adults as well as the directing team and CYT staff. You can ask Wardrobe crew for help with your costume.

BACKSTAGE GUIDELINES
  • If you can see the audience, they can see you. Stay way back in the wings while waiting for your entrance. Do not enter the immediate backstage area earlier than necessary for your own scenes and leave the immediate backstage area when your onstage moment is over.
  • Quiet, quiet, quiet backstage. The audience can hear you. There may also be "hot" mics around you as mics are unmuted for offstage singing or around the entrance/exit times for other cast members.
  • Be respectful of other cast & crew members, adult volunteers, and staff/team. 
  • Do not distract or play with other cast members. Keep your eyes and ears open at all time for moving set pieces, props getting tossed off from the stage, costume quick changes and other safety issues. Make sure you are not in the way of someone doing their job.
  • Keep your hands to yourself. This includes touching other cast members as well as set pieces or props that are not in your blocking, microphones not assigned to you, any other technical, costume, or make-up materials that are not for your specific assigned use.
  • No food, drink, or gum backstage. Keep water bottles in designated spaces (not the prop table)
  • Leave your makeup alone once it is applied.
  • Once the "house is open" - which means audience members are in the seating area- Cast Members are not to enter any public areas until after Bows. This includes pre-show and intermission.
BEFORE DISMISSAL:
  • All cast will participate in clean up duties after Meet & Greet at the close of each performance night.
  • Cast is responsible for restoring all costume pieces to their proper locations. Each costume piece must be hung on separate hangers. You may not store any costume pieces in your show box. Spray your costume pieces at the end of each show with the sanitizer solution and return them to the appropriate z rack. You may not take your costume pieces home. Show shoes need to remain at the theater until strike  If you are issued a mic belt, it is your responsibility to keep up with the belt and hang it with your costume each evening.
  • If your costume needs repairs, fill out the costume repair list posted outside the dressing rooms. Leave the costume piece on the z rack in the dressing room.
  • Do not remove your own microphone. They are easily breakable and you will be charged for damage. Prioritize finding the mic crew after the rehearsal or lobby greeting so that they can go home!
  • Leave the theater in your makeup. Take your make up kit home with you, so you can arrive the next day in makeup.
  • Pay attention to the published pick up time and have a ride ready. The students will not have their phones until they are signed out for the night and cannot text when it is time to come. Their ride should be waiting. We do our best to get everyone out and home so they can be rested for the next day!
SATURDAY BETWEEN SHOWS:
You will get out of costume and microphones. Leave your modesty wear on and change into something cozy on top. We will eat together. You can order from CYT, bring your dinner, have someone drop food off for you. You must eat something. We might have time for a dance party or some downtime. Traditionally, we call this a Onesie party, and some people like to wear onesie pajamas. You can bring a pillow or comfy blanket if you want to rest.
 
More About Tech Week (Tech Week Guide)

Strike Expectations

As a cast, crew, and community, we work hard to put the show together. Strike is when we work together to take it apart. All are expected to help, immediately following our last show. Once the final curtain call is through, all cast members have 20 minutes to visit with friends and family. 

After greeting time, cast returns to the dressing room to follow strike instructions for the costumes, dressing rooms and clean the green room area. While they are working on that, family members are asked to help strike the set and props and clean and restore the theater building. 

When we all work together, this can happen quickly. We ask that no one moves on to their dinner/post-show plans until strike is finished. We do not set a release/pick-up time that day, because we expect each cast member to have a parent working at strike and everyone will be released at the same time. 

If cast members are planning to go eat together after strike, it should be an open invitation to the full cast. 

Ready to Audition?

We're so glad you want to join us for a production!
Our Auditions and Auditions FAQ pages will tell you everything you need to know!
Auditions Page
There's even more information about auditions here!
Auditions FAQ Page

Behind the Scenes- Tech, Design, and Production Support

You don't need to be a parent of a cast member to help with a CYT Dallas show!

Each production area is led by a Production Team Member. This may be CYT Staff, a Contract Artist or an experienced parent who has worked in this area before. The Production team member’s responsibility is to lead their production area in completing tasks for the show. They give you what you need when you volunteer.

Each production area works at different times. Some opportunities, like the Show Program, do their work early in the session. Other opportunities, like sets and costumes, are mostly done before the show begins. Some opportunities do most of their work during the performances. There are even a few opportunities that happen once the show is finished!

To see all of the opportunities to Serve CYT, view the Volunteer link on the CYT Dallas app or at the button below. 

CYT Production Areas include
  • Backstage- "the Deck"
  • Box Office
  • Costumes
  • Green Room
  • Hair & Makeup
  • Program Layout
  • Props
  • Public Relations and Marketing
  • Refreshments
  • Set Build
  • Souvenirs/ Merchandise Sales
  • Ushering
Volunteer Opportunities

Show Run Crew

Some students prefer to work on the technical and run crew aspects of a production rather than performing on stage. CYT Dallas gives students training and opportunities in areas such as:
  • Assistant Stage Management
  • Video Camera Operation
  • Sound Operation and Audio Assistants
  • Projection and Light Board Operation
  • Spotlight Operation
  • Makeup Crew
  • Wardrobe Crew
  • Deck Crew
The applications for run crew are posted with each session when the audition forms are posted. Go to the audition form and look under "links" for the current application. 

CYT Dallas also contracts with professional theater artists in some of these areas as well as production design aspects. To view job postings or submit your resume, visit the link below. 
Work for CY Dallas