OUR WINTER PROGRAMS

2010 “The play’s the thing” classes

This year at CYPT the play’s the thing. From the three great plays of CYPT’s main stage season to the creative games and activities played in all of our drama classes and camps we are putting the emphasis on “the play”. This is CYPT’s 17th season and we have witnessed some truly amazing play (and plays) from young students who have never before taken a drama class to seasoned teen actors who love the stage (and everyone in between). 

We have a variety of classes for kids and young adults aged 4-17.  Whether you’re looking to sharpen your Improv and Comedy skills or test out that dramatic flare with A Little Bit of Everything, we’ve got the perfect class for Calgary’s creative kids.  At CYPT, we focus on building confidence, promoting teamwork, inspiring creativity, and just having fun.  Our instructors are trained theatre professionals, including directors, actors, writers, and improvisers, and they are all bursting to share their energy and experience.  So, if you are looking for a fun weekly class or even developing a serious passion for theatre, please check out our 2009/10 programs below because this year the play’s the thing! 

Act One

Back for another year, this popular class provides an un-intimidating introduction to drama for 4-6 year olds.  Is your child showing signs of artistic talent, or are you looking for a way to bring them out of their shell?  Act One could be a perfect fit for your young one!  Developing your child’s creativity at an early age provides valuable life long skills. Our experienced and professional instructors encourage this development and know how to make it fun! This class will use games, music, art and improvisation to teach your child the fundamentals of theatre, while building confidence, teamwork and communication skills.  Act One is offered at both a north and a south location.  Register soon as this program fills up fast! 

Register Now!

A Little Bit of Everything

Is your child showing an interest in drama, but isn’t sure where to start? This is the perfect class for them!  A Little Bit of Everything is just that – a chance for kids age 6-8 to try out a wide variety of dramatic skills and discover what they love about theatre. Students enrolled in this course will explore improvisation, voice and movement skills, working as an ensemble, play building as well as lots of fun theatre games.  In Term 2, students will be able to incorporate their new skills into a scripted performance.  It’s a great way to experience performing a real play onstage!  Both terms, there will be a final presentation where friends and family will be able to witness all the new abilities the students have developed!  A Little Bit of Everything is offered at both a north and a south location.

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A Little Bit MORE of Everything

Is your child showing an interest in drama and wants to learn more? Or do they have some previous experience and are looking to further their skills? A Little Bit MORE of Everything is a great class for both types of students. This class builds on the skills introduced in A Little Bit of Everything but offers more advanced training for older students. Various techniques will be explored such as intermediate improvisation, voice and movement, characterization, scene development and more!  In Term 2, the students rehearse and perform a script, to get a taste of what acting on stage is all about.  In both terms, there will be a final presentation where friends and family will be able witness all the great acting skills the students have developed!  A Little Bit MORE of Everything is offered at both a north and south location.

Register Now!

Improv And Comedy

Does your son or daughter have an interest in comedy or do they love to make people laugh? CYPT’s Improv and Comedy class is all about playing, thinking on your feet and creating lots of laughs.  This class is based on the ‘Theatre Sports’ form of improvisation – a world renowned improv style, that was developed right here in Calgary!  These are the same techniques of improv that are seen on popular shows such as Whose Line is it Anyway?  Taught by CYPT’s artistic director and professional improviser Mat Mailandt, this class will develop the basic skills of listening, storytelling, confidence and performance – all valuable lifelong skills both on and off the stage.  The class will take place at The Impro Depot, the professional studio of The Improv Guild.  Throughout the course the students will get the chance to meet and work with guest professional improvisers who have performed all over the world.  At the end of the term students will perform a professional caliber show for friends and family!

Mat Mailandt has been the Artistic Director of CYPT since 2005.  He has directed many shows for the company and worked with thousands of students over the years.  He is also a professional improviser, having performed all over western Canada.  He is also the Associate Festival Director of the Calgary International Improv Festival.  He loves improvisation and working with CYPT’s creative teens!

Register Now!

Drama for Homeschoolers

Back for another year after a highly successful winter semester, this class will provide an opportunity for home schooled children to interact with each other while collaborating to make theatre. Taught by a theatre professional, students will explore important skills like communication and team work by learning a variety of fun dramatic techniques.  This is a perfect opportunity to get your home-schooled child involved in drama!

Register Now!

Spring DRUMMA Camps

For the last few years, CYPT has combined a little drumming, a little acting and a lot of fun to create: Drumma!  Back by popular demand, this camp will see the kids create an original script and perform it while learning the basics of West African drumming.  The Camp is taught by the always exciting Barb Burfoot! Barb has studied and performed African percussion since 1995.

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Bring CYPT to you

CYPT has an amazing team of instructors that can bring fun drama workshops to your school, home or event.  Please send us an email to book one or more of our professional drama instructors.  Workshops come with a variety of themes such as mask, improvisation, storytelling or physical theatre.  Send us an email at cypt@cypt.ca and we’ll custom build the workshop to suit your needs.  It will be an afternoon your kids will never forget!

2010 Productions Registration

To register for the upcoming productions with the Secure Online Form. This form is to be used by those who were successful in the auditions.

For more information contact:

Mat Mailandt, Executive and Artistic Director
Calgary Young People's Theatre
Phone: 403.230.2664 
Email. cypt@cypt.ca