For Concord Youth Theatre, There Really Is “No Place Like Home!”

by Leanne Cordischi

CONCORD, MA: Concord Youth Theatre (CYT) commemorated the opening of its long awaited home.  CYT has been a Concord performing arts asset for over 37 years and is counted among the gems in the area.  It has been the launching pad for many notable artists in the music and acting industry including Chris Evans (Captain America), Katie Whorisky (Broadway director), Xander Singh (Passion Pit) as well as an inspirational venue for many who have gone on to become writers, producers and teachers. As a Massachusetts Cultural Council PASS approved program, CYT has also been a field trip destination for many classrooms to see its acclaimed literary productions.

In 2005, CYT lost their home.  However, with its determined director Lisa Evans, her assistant Corinne Kinsman, and an endless cast of supporting characters, Evans kept the theater running and never forgot her ultimate goal of building a new theater for CYT to call home. Since this loss, performances have been held in churches, theaters, schools and museums. Despite the challenge, CYT continued to create, direct, and perform notable performances, and build confidence in community youth both on and off the stage.

A passion to perform anywhere and a true love for theatre, expressed not only by the director, but by a countless cast of budding young actors, made the task of rebuilding possible and the dream of their own CYT theater a reality. 

On Saturday October 5th CYT invited the community to celebrate the fulfillment of Evans’ dream and the completion of a place CYT now calls home.  Kay Deford, CYT’s founder, joined Evans to celebrate with parents, performers, CYT graduates, and community members to mark the beginning of CYT’s first full year in their new home.  Attendees viewed the newly built black box theater equipped with a room full of plush upholstered theater chairs donated through CYT’s “Take A Seat” fundraising campaign and state of the art lighting. All were entertained with a sampling from Clue the Musical; an October 2013 CYT production.

So, when CYT opens the 2013 performance of The Wizard of Oz November 15th, Dorothy’s words “there is no place like home” will be much more than just words in a script, but rather an echo of CYT parents, attendees and graduates when they speak of this little theater down by the West Concord tracks.

To purchase tickets for upcoming CYT performances including The Wizard of Oz, learn about upcoming auditions, or to make a donation please visit www.concordyouththeatre.org.