Today is the day - auditions for Godspell.

Since most of our "marketing" has switched to facebook and email, this will be more of a personal nature.

I got up this morning and felt very weepy in a happy way.  All the dreams we have been praying for are coming true.  Today is the day!  Today's audition day!   It looks like our cast size will be more than we hoped!  God is so so good.

I am personally so grateful for CYT in my life and my children's lives.  It's been such an amazing experience journeying down this road and I feel somewhat giddy with excitement for Godspell.  I am SO SO excited that Justin Parks and Paul Brown are our directors.  I know that everyone involved in this production will be changed for the better.  (I just realized I am quoting For Good from Wicked!   I love the music from Wicked.)

I cannot fully put my feelings into words. . ..  I am too excited.  It reminds me that on Thursday night at CYT my class did the adjective game to introduce themselves.  I said I was "jumpy Jodi" not just because of dance but because I get jumpy. . . .yeah. . . so true.  I am literally almost bouncing out of my shoes.

But I will still try.  Since January 1st, I have been specifically praying the song "God of This City" for Milwaukee.  I have been burdened to pray this song and it occurred to me that CYT is a part of this.  "Greater things have yet to come and greater things are still to be done in this city."

I love CYT - I love it that my children have an amazing organization to explore their passion - musical theater.  I also love it because I LOVE musical theater and I love to dance.  Being able to dance and share my love for dance with children is phenomenal.  Having a reason to be dancing all the time and choreographing, YAY. . . love it.  What I love more is watching the lives of children change.  Watching them begin to discover the talents the Lord has given them.   Please Jesus, use CYT to make Milwaukee better.    I TRULY believe that once the word is out CYT Milwaukee could become rapidly large.  There is NOTHING like CYT in Milwaukee.  Tons of theater groups, even children's theater but CYT is unique in many ways.   If you want to check out CYT, come watch Godspell and sign up for spring classes.

If we decide to keep this going, it may be time for a blog title change - CYT Milwaukee. . . the dream that became a reality!  ???  not sure yet but thinking.

Thank you Jesus.

Thank you CYT Chicago - you have been so amazing as we have gone down this road.

Thank you Justin Parks for all you have done to get us to this point!

Thank you Lori Walla!  I am so grateful you have let me walk down this road and help you bring CYT to Milwaukee :)  I am truly grateful for your friendship and mentorship.  You are an amazing woman.

Many others have helped us down this road.  We are grateful for all of you <3

Are you going to audition for CYT Milwaukee's Godspell Winter 2011?

We'd love to know who's planning on auditioning for Godspell.  This is not a commitment, more of a "pre audition" list so that we can begin to get an idea of about how many people are planning on auditioning!

SO, if you (or your children) are auditioning, please comment below.

And don't forget, if you are curious about CYT Milwaukee, check out our "What is CYT?" video (click "what is CYT" on right).

CYT Milwaukee Godspell "preaudition" list
Joe Laumann
Kara Walla
Janna Walla
David Walla
Nathan Walla
Emily M.
Alyssa Hentzell
Luke Hentzell

What is CYT?

Are you still asking yourself "What is CYT?"  If you haven't personally experienced CYT, I highly recommend this amazing two minute video.  It will give you an idea of why we are SO excited about CYT coming to Milwaukee.  http://www.cytchicago.org/whatiscyt

As a teacher of CYT, my heart sped up watching this video.  I am reminded about our mission to reach children with musical theater.  I am reminded of the ministry we have to each student.

As the video says. . . come join the CYT family!  We'd love to have you for CYT Milwaukee's first full scale musical theater production Godspell.  Coming Winter 2011 (see previous post for details)!

A dream come true. . . . only 6 months until our first show!

It's official! We have a two week run for Godspell in Milwaukee 

at St Thomas More High!!  

March 20-22 Dress rehearsals
March 23 School days 9:30 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. &  Opening night at 7 p.m.
March 24 Show at 2 p.m.
March 25 Show at 2 p.m.
March 30 Show at 7 p.m.
March 31 Show at 2 p.m. &  6 p.m.
April 1     Show at 2 p.m. 
Auditions will be held January 13th and 14th, 2012!


God is so good.   Exactly 6 months from now we will be in the middle of our show weeks!


Thank you SO much to Lori Walla, Justin Parks and the entire CYT Chicago office.  When Lori first mentioned to me the possibility of CYT Milwaukee, I was so excited but it seemed like a pipe dream.  Yet here we are on the brink of a dream come true!   


Contact Lori Walla @ milwaukee@cytchicago.org.  Or please contact me (Jodi) at hentzell_5@sbcglobal.net if you want more information.  I'd be happy to share with you my vision as a CYT Teacher, a mom, and a theater lover :)  I am always happy to talk CYT :) :) :)


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(Christian children theater Milwaukee, Christian youth theater Milwaukee, auditions Milwaukee, Godspell Milwaukee, kid theater Milwaukee)

Announcing: GODSPELL - CYT Milwaukee's 1st performance!

Auditions will be held in January for CYT Milwaukee's first ever musical theater production!

Godspell will be in late March (dates are being firmed up this week).  We are seeking children ages 8 to 18 interested in musical theater for our auditions. 

The version of Godspell we will be doing is nothing like the movie.   We will have the same great songs by Stephen Schwartz (composer of Wicked) but without the clowns!  I am personally so excited to see CYT Milwaukee's interpretation of "what it would be like if Jesus came today."  

Interested?  Contact Lori Walla at milwaukee@cytchicago.org.  Winter registration will be open very soon and Lori will put you on our email list so that you can keep up with what is happening in Milwaukee.  Winter classes will be available for children ages 6 to 18.   We  include the little ones in our production by offering them the opportunity to usher.

I was crying this morning tears of joy as I realized everything was coming together.   Even being involved as things progressed to this point, it suddenly just "struck" me that IT IS HAPPENING.  CYT Milwaukee will have their first full scale musical theater production in just months.

Hard to believe the dream is becoming a reality. . . I am crying again! **A fun side note-- I inherited my ability to cry happily at the drop of the hat from my wonderful mother who was in Up With People!   My children are 3rd generation stage people LOL!

CYT comes to Milwaukee! Please pass the word!

The long awaited day has come, and it is with enthusiastic joy I announce to you...

Christian Youth Theater (CYT) classes are now available in Milwaukee! 

Christian Youth Theater is an after-school theater arts training program for students ages 5 - 18. Since its founding in 1981 in California, CYT has grown to be the largest youth theater in the nation.  CYT stands in the forefront in its commitment to the highest ethical, moral, technical and artistic standards of excellence, Developing Character, one stage at a time!

CYT-Milwaukee Fall Session Class Information:
Online Registration: https://www.cytchicago.org/pages.aspx?tag=classmilwaukee
Class Location: West Layton Assembly of God
                           11530 W. Layton Avenue, Greenfield WI (map)
Start Date: Thursday, Sept. 8th
End Date: Thursday, Nov. 17th
Class Time: 6:00-8:00pm every Thursday, except Oct. 27th
Early Bird Registration: $135.00 by Aug. 25th
Standard Registration: $150.00
Sibling Discount: Any family that enrolls more than one child in CYT will receive $25 off for every child enrolled after the first child.
Classes Offered: click here for list of classes offered for this Fall.


CYT-Milwaukee Production/Show Information:
Fall Production: enrolled Milwaukee students are eligible to audition for Kenosha's production of A Christmas Carol for the Fall Session.
Auditions: Friday, Sept. 9th @ Lord of Life Lutheran Church (map)
Show dates: Dec. 8-11th @ Reuther Auditorium in Kenosha.
Note: for Winter Session, we are making plans to have our first CYT production in Milwaukee! 


CYT Mission Statement: CYT is dedicated to developing character in children and adults through training in the arts and by producing wholesome family entertainment, all of which reflect Judeo-Christian values. 

For more information about CYT: What is CYT?

Questions?  Please don't hesitate to ask!  Would love to hear from you!  My contact information is below...

 

p.s. To help further spread the word about CYT in Milwaukee, please pass the information on to your friends and family!  We're looking forward to see CYT grow and thrive in this area!

Many blessings,

~Lori Walla~
Area Coordinator
CYT Milwaukee
414-732-0289
milwaukee@cytchicago.org

Look out Milwaukee. . . here we come!

As you can see from the picture I currently have up, the dream has been alive for awhile to bring CYT to Milwaukee!  As we move into our second year having summer camp in Milwaukee, the dream is growing.  It was planted and watered tonight.  We had a fun night at West Layton Assembly of God.  Thank you, Justin Parks and Lori Walla for all your work to make this possible.

One day, several weeks ago when hanging flyers for summer camp in the rain, I was praying "Lord, please" and he whispered to my heart. . . "be still. . .if you build it, they will come".  He didn't say when but I truly believe it will happen!  Join us in the journey!

Look out Milwaukee. . . here we come.

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Check out our Summer Camp Links (above this post). . . camp is only a month away!  Come join us for some fun!