Kids are involved in drama classes throughout the city, but City Lights Youth Theatre occupies a special niche. Rather than focusing on professional development, the group concentrates on building self-esteem and confidence. Their mission includes offering theater classes to all children; at least half the students receive financial aid. They offer classes for ages 3-19, and students appear in their productions.
City Lights believes that all children, regardless of their background, can benefit from, and participate in theater. The huge range of classes includes Fairytale Adventures for pre-K, using games, stories, movement and song; Mini Musicals for grades 3-5; and Musical Theatre Revue for grades 6-12. A new class this year, Acting Shakespeare, is for high school students.
As a non-profit that offers need-blind admissions, and keeps ticket prices low ($8 for students, $12 for adults), City Lights has to raise money, and its annual spring benefit, on March 19, will be at Tavern-on-the-Green. The event, which honors Kitty Carlisle Hart, and Lynne and Bill Zeffiro, features musical numbers by the cast of Broadway’s A Chorus Line. Ticket prices start at $175.
For more information, go to www.CityLightsNYC.org.
A scene from “Carousel” 
