First Act Theatre Arts is a faith-based performing arts organization offering several opportunities for children ages 5-18. Students can take classes in various theatre topics, including singing, dancing, acting, improv, and so much more. In addition, First Act produces full-scale mainstage musicals and plays that allow students the opportunity to utilize the skills they learn in the classes. They foster a safe, nurturing, and kind environment for children to experience the magic of theatre. Whether or not students decide to pursue performance as a career, everyone involved with First Act learns crucial life skills that can be applied in their future all while making life-long memories.
First Act KC has been an amazing Christ centered theatre program that my girls and myself have been delighted to be a part. The positive atmosphere mixed with professional training in the arts is unbelievable. We love First Act KC.
When we moved back to KC, First Act provided our kids with a place of belonging! Our family is so grateful for the FA staff, volunteers, and families for all they do to provide high-quality arts experiences in a welcoming environment.
I can't say enough great things about First Act. My daughter participated in the middle school summer camp earlier this year and it was an amazing experience. She said that she has never felt so accepted or been around a group of nicer middle schoolers. As a parent, I can say the same thing for the adults! Every single person I came into contact with was encouraging, uplifting, and welcoming to me and my family.
This fall, both of my daughters took dance and voice lessons, which have been amazing! A lot of the staff are adults that were part of the program as kids and they just love it so much that they have come back to teach. They are first-class teachers!
There are many organizations that claim to be faith-based programs, but First Act lives it out in the way they treat every single person and they have cultivated an atmosphere of acceptance, kindness, and belonging. If you are looking for a great place for your kids to get plugged into theatre, you couldn't find a better organization than First Act Theatres.
First Act Theatre Arts is more than just a theater company! First Act KC strives to be a safe space for students and families to learn and grow. They also produce incredible shows that consistently stun audiences with their professionalism.
First Act Theatre Arts is a positive relationship building community that focuses on the Theatre Arts. The organization offers excellent training in all areas of theatre arts including: acting, voice, dance and stagecraft. Students not only succeed in reaching the high expectations that First Act Staff set for them but also reach beyond. The kindness, compassion and caring that are shared through this community are what set this Theatre Arts organization apart from others. Knowing that my child is important to the community and that everyone has her best interests in mind is a quality of an organization that I just cannot put a price on!
My family has been part of First Act Theatre Arts for about 10 years now, since my oldest child was barely old enough to attend camps. First Act Theatre Arts not only provides quality training in theatrical arts, they do so in a way that makes my children feel special, feel loved, feel seen, and most of all, feel like they belong. They are loved for who they are, not what they can do, and we have seen first hand how children who sometimes struggle to find "their people" do so when they come to First Act. I have been blessed to serve on the Board of Directors for three years now, and I can confidently say that this organization is making decisions that are best for the students, the staff, the families, and the community. They are poised for huge growth opportunities, and I personally cannot wait to see what the future holds, both as a Board member and a parent of kids who will still be in the program over the next 5+ years!
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My family has been involved in this organization for over 10 years now, and I cannot say enough positive things about it. In a broader community and culture that values athletics, competition, and being the best above all else, my children found a shining ray of light in First Act Theatre Arts. The community here has become a family to us. Everyone - the teachers, the production teams, the other parents, even the office staff - care about my children and want to make each of them feel valued, seen, and loved. My kids have made some of the best friends through shows and classes at First Act.
On top of the loving community this organization provides, the quality of education and training is outstanding. Their classes are top notch - my kids have grown so much as actors, dancers, and performers through the classes and troupes run by First Act. And their musical productions are absolutely top quality - sometimes you forget you're watching a show put on by children (i.e. Les Miserable - WOW)!
We highly recommend First Act to anyone who is interested in their child exploring the theatrical arts, whether they have never stepped foot on a stage or already have years of experience. You will not be disappointed!
First Act KC provides excellent training and performance opportunities for students in a positive and encouraging environment. It's not just what happens on stage - which is amazing, but the community that is built behind the scenes is what makes this organization so special. I highly recommend First Act Theatre Arts for any student and/or family interested in musical theatre and looking for an uplifting and inclusive community that encourages teamwork and creativity.
First Act Theatre Arts has been a life-changing organization for our family. They not only bring together a community of wonderful and talented children, it is a place for parents to also find community and friendship. Additionally, the First Act Theatre Arts HEART program provides students who have developmental disabilities the amazing opportunity to join the stage in classes, shows, and camps with other children and gives them the full inclusion they deserve.
My teenage son was dealing with anxiety that was making his Freshman year very miserable. First Act became a safe place for him to blossom into the man he is today. I love their heart and passion to value each person in the organization and in a way that allows them to grow to their full potential.
We fell in love with First Act Theatre Arts by watching many of their broadway style productions. We could easily tell that it was a very special group and knew we needed to be involved. Once we were, we quickly realized that what happens off stage was even more magical than what happened on stage. For us, First Act means family and it feels like home. Right away, our son felt comfortable and made some great friendships through the many camps, classes & shows. (Bonus, we have many new friends too!) We love being able to have role models through the older teens and teachers. It has been so much fun to see his growth over the last 3 years and are looking forward to many more years as part of the family. The staff members are encouraging, inclusive and they lead with faith. We are so thankful for First Act Theatre Arts to help students shine bright through character development on and off the stage.
First Act Theatre Arts, formerly known as Christian Youth Theatre, has been an amazing and positive experience in my children's lives. In an encouraging environment, they have enjoyed the opportunity to gain confidence in themselves as they perform in front of hundreds of people. The skills learned through the classroom sessions, as well as those skilled with directing, producing, choreography or music direction of the musicals or black-box theatre have all successfully contributed to their lifetime experience. Their experience has been so amazing, that a couple of my children have had the opportunity to give back and be a leader for the next generation by providing directing or assistant directing experience, and teaching in the classroom to continue to shape other young minds - all in building a community and fellowship in a faith-based environment. It doesn't get any better!
Our family has been blessed to be involved with First Act Theatre Arts (formerly CYTKC) for more than 20 years. Our kids were not performers but they loved going to shows and now our grandchildren participate in camps and other First Act activities. The leadership and the volunteers truly care about the participants and their families.
Our family has been part of First Act for the last 10 years. We have consistently been impressed with the theater arts program/incredible musicals but also the way they foster character and an amazing sense of community! Our girls have been in 20 musicals and enrolled in dance classes for the last seven years! This program is for the whole family, not just the children. We are all grateful for the friendships we've created at First Act. If you are looking for a theater program, check out First Act!! You will love it!
We have been with First Act for over 9 years now and our entire family absolutely loves this program. High quality productions, valuable classes, caring experienced teachers and a community that accepts everyone!
FirstAct KC has been a tremendous gift for my son and our family! This incredible community has encouraged him in pursuing his love of theater by offering training, performances and individual support over the past six years. Their underlying Christian values provide a foundation of respect, compassion and kindness that are so necessary in building young adults with strong moral character. He has found great friends and developed lifelong relationships! We are so blessed to be a FirstAct Family!
We were first introduced to CYT/First Act in 2016 when a family at our church invited us to come see their son in Beauty and the Beast. We were blown away at the quality of the production and our two girls wanted to get involved the following year with their first show being the Wizard of Oz in 2017. Since then our kids have been in 17 shows and have built some amazing friendships and have grown so much in both theater and dance! Our family has been blessed by the friendships our kids have made, but what we never expected was the friendships and community we have made with the other parents of First Act! We love First Act and can’t say enough how blessed we have been by this organization!
We have been a part of First Act since 2014 and it is hard to believe she is finishing her last year. I cannot possibly express what this organization has meant to Sofia, and because of that, to me as well. I had no idea what I was getting into when I signed my daughter up for her first class. I just knew I had a little girl who loved to sing and was having trouble finding her niche and felt she didn’t quite belong. She quickly fell in love, and I was in awe watching her have the confidence to get up on stage and try something she had never done before. I admittedly was overwhelmed when she wanted to start doing shows as well. It is a big time commitment. But she would say, “it is my happy place,” and I could see that was true, so we kept going with it. I could see her working hard and gaining skills above and beyond what she was learning about theatre, and I knew that we were getting back tenfold what time we were putting in. The support and encouragement she has gained from the teachers, directors, other kids, and their parents has shaped her and given her confidence. They lift each other up and encourage each other. They provide constant love and acceptance to each other. They offer a safe space to be themselves. First Act provides a safe, encouraging, loving organization to these kids. We are better because we are a part of it. As my daughter put it in her senior speech, by participating, you are doing more than theatre; you are joining a community.
Our family has been involved with First Act for almost 5 years now. What started as my son participating in their summer camps, has grown into his involvement in 6 full productions (looking forward to many more) and now my younger daughter starting their camps. The First Act community is one that is welcoming, caring and very talented! They truly have something for everyone who is interested in the arts - singing, dancing, acting, camps, classes, productions, troupes, and so much more. I am so thankful our family has gotten connected with First Act!
When we moved to the Kansas City area a little over 3 years ago from Atlanta, we quickly tried to find a local youth theatre for our daughter to continue her love for performing. Being a professional in the industry I wanted to find a place where there was excellence in training and show production was high. As Christians we also wanted to find a place where faith was encouraged and nurtured. Our daughter found both of those things at First Act KC. Our family has been enriched by our experiences at First Act more than we can express with words. We have quickly built genuine relationships with other First Act families. Our daughter has blossomed and grown in both her theatrical skills and personal character. Yes, First Act KC offers amazing training for students in the performing arts but what First Act KC does best is provide a safe an encouraging place for students of every background and walk of life to grow as artist and individuals. When it is time to celebrate a personal success, when we need extra prayers for personal struggles, when we want to experience community at its best, when we want to socialize and have a great time, we turn to our First Act family. Our lives would not be the same without First Act KC and we are eternally thankful for all it has given to us. We can not wait to see what God has in store for this amazing organization and the people involved!
First Act not only provides excellent training in acting, singing, and dancing, this organization offers something for the entire family. The community and fellowship that I have found as a former student and staff member is life changing. I have not only met some of my best friends through this organization, I have developed relationships with students and families that have helped me develop as a leader and artist.
CYT has been an amazing experience for our daughter thus far! It's been about a year and half now, and the growth of her theatrical skills, meaningful friendships and with the Lord, have been more than we had anticipated! There's just as many opportunities for the parents to get involved and grow along side their kids'. I have also gained friendships and new skills! We love CYT for our daughter and she intends on staying until she's exceeded the age limit!
I am so grateful for all the amazing things CYTKC has brought to my family. We have been a part of CYTKC since 2012 and plan to be for many more years! My kids are always excited about going to classes and rehearsals. I love knowing that they are in safe and God-filled environment! WE LOVE CYTKC!