CYT Dallas Annual Report | 2022-2023

ANNUAL REPORT

FISCAL YEAR JULY 2022 - JUNE 2023

CHRISTIAN YOUTH THEATER IS A COMMUNITY THAT CHAMPIONS AND ADVOCATES FOR YOUTH DISCOVERING THEIR IDENTITY IN CHRIST.

PLANTING OUR ROOTS &

Christian Youth Theater is a community that champions and advocates for youth discovering their Identity in Christ.

At CYT Dallas, we believe in the power of building character through the medium of Creative Arts. With our supporters, we can impart discipline and integrity while instilling self-confidence in each student who accepts our challenge. While students are busy creating characters on stage, we are focused on helping them build character that will shape their future and ours.

CYT Dallas has made a name for itself in Denton County in a few short years. In our 2022-2023 Season, CYT Dallas produced classes, camps, and four MainStage productions. Our students, volunteers, and artistic teams continued to elevate our program quality. CYT stands at the forefront in its commitment to the highest ethical, moral, technical, and artistic standards of excellence.

Our vision is to have a theater arts studio of our own. Over the past year, we remained steadfast in our search and we continue to pursue the best opportunity. A home venue will generate new revenue, allow us to reach more audiences, and serve and impact thousands of lives with yearround arts education programs. CYT Dallas has entered a new phase of growth with an everincreasing number of new students, cast members, and community supporters in each session we hold.

We are always in awe of the extraordinary talent of our CYT Dallas community and their passion for live theater. Thanks to your financial contributions, we can continue empowering individuals of all ages across the metroplex to shine on and off stage.

We are growing to be one of the most well-known theater groups in Denton County, and we don’t take our role for granted. Thank you for your ongoing support. Together, we can raise the curtain on the exciting journey ahead of us.

Shannon Mahoney Managing Director CYT Dallas shannon@cytdallas.org

Tyler Hutchinson Artistic Director CYT Dallas tyler@cytdallas.org

& BUILDING FOR GROWTH

CYT DALLAS BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Sybil Mulokwa, Chair

Dave Holden, Treasurer

Diana Henao, Secretary

Camey Armstrong, Member

Mike Reisinger, Member

*Tyler Hutchinson, Member

Bruce McGaha, Member

*Shannon Mahoney, Member

*=Non-Voting Members

BUILDING CHARACTER ON AND OFF STAGE

CYTDALLAS.ORG/ABOUT

WHAT WE DO

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

WHAT WE VALUE

Character over Competition | Our intentional focus is on knowing Jesus and becoming more like Him. People over Programs | We exist for our communities: those we know and those we have yet to meet. Service over Spotlight | We believe in serving others in sacrificial and tangible ways. Excellence over Ego | Excellence is our simplest expression of giving the gifts and talents God has blessed us with back to Him.

WHAT WE SEE

Research has shown that children who receive regular exposure to the arts are four times more likely to be recognized for academic excellence, earn on average a 15% higher GPA, and have a 34% higher graduation rate.

2022 - 2023 IMPACT BY NUMBERS

OUR 2022- 2023 SEASON

Fall ‘22: Mary Poppins, Dir: Tyler Hutchinson

Winter ‘23: School of Rock, Dir: Cassie Chisum

Spring ‘23: Willy Wonka, Jr., Dir: Anthony McClure

Spring ‘23: Godspell, Dir: Tyler Hutchinson |

Rebekah Williford | Elise Dolan

THE CYT COMMUNITY IS YOU

Alumni

Many of our alumni go on to pursue careers in theater arts education and land roles in television and on Broadway. They say CYT helped prepare them for their future path, and they graciously return to visit us and share their inspiring experiences with the next generation of CYT students. We couldn’t be prouder of each and every one of them.

Community Partners

Our community partners provide us with the venue space and equipment we need to hold our classes and shows. We also partner with local organizations and businesses to participate in community events to raise our visibility and give back to the communities that give so much to us.

Donors & Sponsors

Our generous family of donors and sponsors make CYT possible. Our revenue comes through class tuition and ticket sales, but donations and sponsorships enable us to cover the costs required to deliver the premiere programming we are known for and reach even more children in our communites.

Volunteers

Community volunteers donate their time to help us create and deliver our arts education curriculum. It is all “hands on deck” at CYT and volunteers do everything from building show sets and sewing costumes to selling refreshments and helping backstage. The opportunity brings families and communities together and fosters lifelong friendships.

WHY INVEST? YOU MAKE THE DIFFERENCE

According to “The Value and Quality of Arts Education: A Statement of Principles”, students who participate in the arts do better in school, stay in school longer and win more academic awards. They are also three times more likely to go to college and become more confident, considerate, pro-social, and procivic citizens. Your donations to CYT Dallas ensure that our students are given these benefits, so they can go on to build a stronger world for future generations.

CYT is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit organization. Since revenue from ticket sales and class tuition is not enough to cover operating costs, every dollar you contribute ensures we can continue to deliver topnotch, affordable programming.

As a result of your generosity this fiscal year, we received over $440,000 in donations and sponsorships that we put right back into our program.

Where Contributions Come From

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

As a sponsor, you are incorporated into everything we do from advertising and marketing to community engagement activities and special events, in order to reach thousands of individuals of all ages who appreciate the arts as much as you do.

SHOWS

Sponsoring a show is a quick and effective way to support a production while advertising your business to the thousands of patrons in the audience with you. CYT Dallas is grateful for every corporation that partnered with us this year.

GALA

The Annual CYT Greatest Show Gala is an immersive and inspiring evening! It is always the year’s highlight, complete with performances, dinner, and silent & live auctions. Sponsoring the event is not only an excellent opportunity to be seen by some of the most influential business minds in our community, but also an opportunity to help further the mission of CYT Dallas.

Members of the “Standing O” Society are individuals or businesses who support CYT with a recurring monetary gift. This support is vital to our financial health and helps us continue to provide training in the arts in an atmosphere of excellence.

GIVE THE GIFT OF A SCHOLARSHIP

Give CYT to a Student: One Gift, Double The Impact

CYT aims to give access to theater arts for all children regardless of their financial situation by offering scholarships to families in need. Your matching donations help us give kids who don’t have the financial means to participate in our programs the chance to do so. This year, CYT Dallas gave away over $4,000 in scholarships to students so that they can be part of the CYT family.

YOUR INVESTMENT AT WORK

Classes

cytdallas.org/classes

CYT classes include drama, voice, dance, and behind-the-scenes training in makeup, costumes, tech, and more. A high-energy showcase is held for students to perform the skills they have learned for family and friends.

Shows

cytdallas.org/shows

Our shows are family-friendly, Broadway-style musicals. Students audition to participate on stage, backstage crew, technical teams, and ushers. We also produce school day performances for local public and private schools to make live theater accessible to more children.

Camps

cytdallas.org/camps

Our Musical Theater Summer Camp is one of the most affordable, high-quality musical theatre camps in Dallas and offers theater workshops, including dance, drama, and voice. Our overnight camp is jam-packed with games, activities, and interactive workshops that build performance skills, self-confidence and teamwork. Through praise, worship, prayer, and daily devotions, CYT teen camps are particularly focused on spiritual growth.

PROGRAMS

cytdallas.org/programs

CYT@School

Our after school and residency programs support performing arts training in public and private schools and include drama, voice, and dance training. Residency programs are offered during the school day and are customized to the individual school and their program needs.

School Field Trips

Literature from the classroom comes to life on stage in quality productions with colorful costumes, professional staging, energetic choreography, and singing, paired with optional curriculum guides to help tie into the state educational standards. CYT School Day performances are designed specifically for elementary and middle school classes. The school day shows are typically only minutes in duration.

Christian Community Theater (CCT)

The purpose of CCT is to provide a place for children, teens and adults to take the stage together. CYT Dallas has produced three CCT productions: The Wizard of Oz, Disney’s Beauty & The Beast, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

EDUCATING CHILDREN USING THE ARTS

We live in a time when it is critical, now more than ever, to educate children using the arts. CYT is in the business of developing character in kids of all ages. We want to inspire creative thinking in all that we do and strive for excellence while producing a quality product. As has been our focus since the beginning, we aim to create a space where kids feel safe to develop confidence, integrity, work ethic, and empathy for others.

SAT Scores

Academics

15% higher GPA

School Attendance arts > community service or athletics

Citizenship engaged people in community

+58 verbal pts & +38 math pts

College Acceptance

21% more likely attend a postsecondary institution

Responsibility self discipline to achieve personal goals

Comprehension story understanding, reading comprehension, & topical writing skills

Academic Awards

4x more likely

Graduation Rate

34% higher graduation rate

Coordination motor skills & stronger neural connections

Memory & Focus musically trained students show better working memory

Careers creatives highly valued by employers

Problem Solving Skills

cognitive & reasoning abilities

Health cortisol & stress levels lower

Time Management less use of technology skills to overcome fears

Mental Health reduces adverse psychological outcomes

Patience & Respect environment to develop character traits

Con dence self acceptance, self control, & conflict resolution

Lower Crime

Social Skills developing social competencies

18% decrease in serious crime rate

MY CYT STORY: Life Before CYT Dallas

Taina K, CYT Senior

“CYT truly is my second family. The people I’ve met and the relationships I’ve built through this community have changed my life. Back in 2019, when I first joined CYT, I was in a place where I felt disconnected from my faith and was struggling to find my place. I have grown tremendously throughout my years in this community because of the people and mentors constantly pouring into me. CYT is the reason I have a relationship with the Lord today, and their mission continues to bring people closer to Jesus all the time! At CYT, I’m surrounded by friends and mentors who push me to be my best and are there to encourage me every step of the way– in theater and in LIFE! I am beyond thankful for this community and that God let them be a part of my story.”

MY CYT STORY: Just Getting Started

Ruth Bennet, CYT National Board Chair

“I have a theater background but I didn’t know what CYT was until I met a young man who came to town and spoke of such things!  Tyler’s path and mine crossed when he needed some governing help to start a non-profit. I had never seen a CYT show but after months of setting up and following CYT protocols to open a new Branch, the first show brought tears rolling down my face at the Broadway quality and the Godly character being infused in the participants, both kids and parents alike. At CYT hearts are taught about the Creator of their abilities, the purpose of those abilities in their lives to accomplish the Creator God’s goals, and to prefer others along the way.”

MY CYT STORY: I Will Always Support

Laura S, CYT Parent/Volunteer/Greenroom Supervisor

“I support CYT Dallas because my family absolutely adores CYT Dallas, and the community has become family. My child has developed precious friendships that are Christ-centered, encouraging, and joy-filled. As a result of volunteering for the productions, I have met wonderful people, who have laughed with me, encouraged me, and prayed with me.

I am so grateful that we have this extended family. I will always financially support CYT Dallas because family takes care of each other, and I want CYT Dallas to be an extended family to others for many decades to come.”

DALLAS FINANCIAL OVERVIEW

Since the inception of CYT Dallas, classes and rehearsals have taken place in borrowed and rented spaces. Our organization is grateful for the churches and community groups that have opened their doors to us. However, not having a facility of our own has created several challenges regarding growth.

We are searching for a studio space to house our current 13,500 sq ft operations. We invite you to support us in our dream of having our own rental studio space. Please visit us at cytdallas.org/donate for more information and how you can join our family of donors.

$703,001.65 EXPENSE

$132,242.34 NET $374696.56 TOTAL PROGRAM REVENUE

#FindYourCharacter