Christian Youth Theater - anyone's kids in this?

[Andrea_loves_Disney]

Hello there!! I know this organization has locations around the country...anyone out there part of this? We live in the Chicagoland area and my son just enrolled in a class and now was cast in an upcoming musical! He is very excited and we are hoping this is his "thing" since he is not a sporty kid...he needed some sort of activity outside of school. Anyway all is well except that I realized that I have to pull him out of school for 2 days for "school day" performances. I guess everyone else does this, but I am just wondering how the schools feel about it..?? I don't expect it to be an "excused" absence, but I am wondering also how to approach it ....does CYT print a letter to give to the school? I was a little surprised that in the first informational meeting for parents the director did not really point out the fact that kids will miss 2 days of school..and I guess I have to take off work too. I am not complaining! I signed him up for this, and I am IN but just wondered how others handled the school issue. (maybe there are a lot of home schoolers in this organization?) Anyway, thanks in advance for any and all advice/information anyone may have!!

 

[BalooTheBear]

Our daughter started CYT here recently. We have not heard of any daytime school performances that she would need to miss school. But, if they do performances for schools then it would make sense. Most of the performances here are in the evenings or on weekends. The CYT here has very talented kids, and they all seem to be happy doing the shows. I think it would be a very good activity for your son.

 

[Lindabelle]

Hi Andrea,
Congrats on your first CYT show. We have been involved in CYT in the Chicagoland area for about 8 years. Actually, this fall has been the first time our family has taken a break, we have done 20+ shows in a row. CYT does have many home schooled kids but there are many families that are traditionally schooled. I think sometimes the school day show absences get neglected to be mentioned simply because there are so many repeat families that know the drill. CYT ( at least in our county, NW Cook) does provide a letter to the school administrators, explaining why the child will be absent. I have not heard very many problems with schools not excusing absences for these reasons. My son even had a community college class excused because the professor thought it was such a great opportunity for students to be involved in the arts. If you have any more questions, let me know. CYT has been an amazing group for our whole family to be involved in and we can't wait to get back to it this winter!