Keeping CAT Youth Theatre FREE for ALL Members!

"The most important things that I was able to accomplish though being in The Youth Theatre was [learning] that there is more to theatre than just acting on a stage and being talented. It’s what message you can leave the audience that makes them question and think about life because they watched the show." - Senior Youth Theatre Member

If you agree to any of the following, I encourage you to read on! Do you...

• ... enjoy watching plays, musicals, or movies?
• ... have strong feelings about "kids these days" and think they spend too much time on their dang devices and get into all sorts of trouble?
• ... wish to give under-served young people access to the arts?
• ... feel unsure of how to help in today's challenging world?
• ... want to watch me put myself in challenging and/or humorous situations in exchange for helping the young people of NYC?

If yes, then do I have the solution for you!!

I am helping to raise money to keep the CAT Youth Theatre (which works with young people aged 11 - 22) FREE of cost. The Youth Theatre has been described by many members as being a "home" for them, and members have self-reported that being part of the youth theatre "keeps [them] out of trouble." When young people are at rehearsal they are collaborating with their peers and adults (and learning skills like face-to-face communication and problem-solving), devising (creating) their own material, expressing themselves in a safe and supportive environment, gaining confidence, and learning that their actions and words make an impact. The majority of participants would be unable to attend the Youth Theatre if there was a fee attached to it, which is why we need your help!

Can you help by making a donation to keep the Youth Theatre free for all members? In exchange for your contribution, I will film myself at work in my office doing...

•  ... push-ups (donate $1/push-up)
• ... wall squats (donate $5/minute)
• ... a forearm plank (donate $10/minute - I can currently hold one for 2.5 minutes so anything over that should be entertaining. Pay to watch me struggle!)
• ... laps (running or skipping, your choice) around my office during the work day (donate $20/5 minutes)
• ... jumping jacks  (donate $30 for 100 jumping jacks)
• ... all of the above! (donate $50) 
• ... all of the above on roller skates! (donate $100)
• ... working the full day on roller skates (when $500 is reached)

To indicate what you'd like me to do from the above list, leave a comment after you make your donation. You can also leave me suggestions there, too!!

More About the CAT Youth Theatre

"I came to CAT Youth Theatre because I have always had an interest in theatre but I never had the opportunity to actually do any acting outside of school. There aren’t any free acting programs out there (that I heard of) and when I heard of CAT I knew I couldn’t miss this opportunity when it was right in my face. I wish I had heard about CAT A LOT earlier in my life." - Senior Youth Theatre Member 

CAT Youth Theatre is a FREE program that helps young  people to thrive – on stage and in life. Members create socially  relevant original plays while learning vital life skills, enabling youth  to become self-confident, compassionate and accountable. They develop  relationships across differences, build community, and become prepared to  act as contributing citizens. 

The collaborative theatre process gives young people the opportunity  to make new meanings from the material of their lives. There are no  auditions – and it’s free to the young people who participate. CAT Youth Theatre is a program of the CUNY Creative Arts Team. It’s only through the support of our family of supporters that this program can remain free- thank you for being a part of our community!

Learn more about what it means to be a CAT Youth Theatre Member here.