Rocking the Schoolhouse

CYT revives a classic

By STEVEN WALLING

It may seem odd that a 1970s Saturday morning cartoon would make such a great children's theatre show, but considering the enduring popularity of Schoolhouse Rock!, perhaps it isn't so peculiar after all. Originally broadcast on ABC, the series of 52 educational shorts prove to have made a lasting mark with parents and children alike. The series was finally dropped in 2001, when its 3-minute episodes failed to meet length standards for the educational and informative (dubbed E/I) programming required of every U.S. broadcast station by the FCC. Thus, one of the most beloved educational children's programs in the history of television was over.

But from March 23 to the first of June, Christian Youth Theatre (CYT) of Vancouver-Portland was one of the children's performing groups that continued to restage this timeless show for the theatre. With a variety of songs teaching such subjects as grammar, math, history, and science, the CYT production of Schoolhouse Rock! was one of many shows they perform as a part of their performing arts programs for kids in the region.

Providing a performing opportunity to a wide age range of kids, this cast of 30-plus did an impressive job for a large scale children's theatre program in which it was the first time on stage for many of the participants. A live band provided a fun addition to the performance and the kids did a great job of providing focus and exuberance to the numbers. Anyone who has worked with a large group of youths in the performing arts can tell you that it is sometimes a harrowing endeavor, but CYT seemed to be seasoned pros.

Bios lifted from the evening's program seemed to suggest that a fair number of the kids involved in CYT come from home-schooling or the various private Christian schools that dot Southwest Washington. But with plenty of school-day performances, CYT also seems to fill a small part of the void left by the practically non-existent performing arts programs in many Southwest Washington school districts. The one exception may be the Vancouver School District, considered to be a leader in its elementary and middle school arts programs, and the Vancouver School of Arts and Academics magnet institution. Apart from some of the program materials and a wave to the heavens at the curtain call (yes, they thanked God, in addition to the live band), there was no significant difference from a secular, public school children's theatre program at CYT, however.

Named the "best community event" in The Columbian's 2008 Best of Clark County, CYT is not an entirely local organization, and is actually the Vancouver-Portland wing of a national non-profit that facilitates Christian performing arts programs for youth. Founded in 1997 in Spokane and Chicago, there are now 13 different state programs. Each is an individual 501(c)(3) organization that is responsible for its own work, but is bolstered by the CYT headquarters in the San Diego area. How much of the activity surrounding CYT Vancouver-Portland is due to national support is up in the air, but whatever the case, they certainly seemed to be the most organized and driven children's theatre group I've witnessed to date. Raffles, sponsor bits, plenty of local donors and advertisers all seemed to do their part. Alive and well in Clark County, CYT Vancouver is a blossoming avenue for youth participation in the performing arts.

For more information on the Vancouver-Portland Christian Youth Theatre and its performance schedule, visit cytvanport.org.