CYT 2026 Workshop & Rock of Ages: Youth Edition
Important Information for Parents – Parents please read all they way through!
Pick-Up & Drop-Off
- For the safety of all students, please follow the attached pick-up/drop-off map.
- Enter St. Peter’s Church through the cemetery entrance.
- From Route 10 (Main Street), either:
- Turn onto Main Street, then left onto Horton Avenue, or
- Turn onto Spring Street, then right onto Horton Avenue.
- Students should arrive between 8:30 – 9:00 a.m. Please do not arrive earlier.
- A parent or guardian must sign their child in and out each day.
Program Schedule Highlights
Workshop Week
- Monday, July 13 – Friday, July 17
- St. Peter’s Church
- 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
CYT Rock of Ages: Youth Edition
- Auditions, Saturday, July 18 10:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
- Monday, July 20 – Thursday, July 30
- St. Peter’s Church
- 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Friday, July 31
- Dress Rehearsals
- Cheshire Academy
- 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Students are required to remain through the evening performance.
- Dinner will be provided.
Performances
- Cheshire Academy – JJ White Building, Richardson Lecture Hall
- Friday, July 31 – 7:00 p.m.
- Saturday, August 1 – 1:00 p.m. & 4:00 p.m.
- Students should arrive at 11:00 a.m.
Cell Phones
To help students stay engaged throughout the day:
- This year we will be collecting cell phones when the students arrive to keep students focused on the program.
- They will be stored securely w/ their names, as they do in most classroom settings.
- Students may request access to the cell phone if needed for a specific reason.
- If they need their cell phone, they should make the request through their group leader, or in an emergency with any staff member.
- If parents have an emergency, they can call our Front Desk at 203-272-7550.
Lunch & Water
- Students should bring their own lunch and snacks each day.
- Lunches should not require refrigeration.
- Please send a refillable water bottle.
Restroom Breaks
- Scheduled restroom breaks will be provided between sessions.
- If a student needs to leave during a session, they should notify their group leader. Students will be escorted to the restroom with another student.
Medications
- Students should not bring medications unless they are able to self-administer them (such as an inhaler or EpiPen).
- CYT staff and interns are not permitted to administer medications.
Auditions & Callbacks
Saturday, July 18 – St. Peter’s Church
- Students should have registered for a 5-minute audition time within either the 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. or 2:00–4:00 p.m. session.
- Students are required to remain for the entire session they selected.
- During their scheduled 5-minute audition, students will perform their prepared song and monologue.
- During the remaining session, they will also learn choreography and participate in theatre games.
- Students who are needed for callbacks will be notified during their audition.
- Callbacks will be held 6:00–8:00 p.m. that evening.
- Not every student will receive a callback. Every registered student will be cast in the production. Callbacks are only used when additional consideration is needed for specific roles.
Playbill Bio
A short bio is required for the Playbill through Theater Forms. If you have not yet submitted your child’s bio, please do so as soon as possible.
Dinner Before Opening Night
- Following the final rehearsal on Friday, July 31, students are required to remain through the evening performance.
- Dinner will be provided before the show.
- If your child has any dietary restrictions or food allergies (such as gluten-free), please let us know in advance.
Cast Party
- The cast party will be held at Elim Park at 6:00 p.m. following the final performance.
- Parents must provide transportation.
- Please RSVP to [email protected] by Friday, July 24, and include the total number of family members attending.
- A suggested donation of $10 per family member (cast members attend free) will be collected in the buffet line.
Complimentary Tickets
Each household will receive four complimentary tickets:
- Two (2) tickets for Friday, July 31 at 7:00 p.m.
- Two (2) tickets for Saturday, August 1 at 4:00 p.m.
Please note:
- A block of seats has been reserved for Elim Park residents at the 1:00 p.m. performance.
- No comp tickets are available for this performance but they can be purchased.
- Complimentary tickets (general admission) will be distributed to parents on the second day of rehearsal.
- Additional tickets are expected to sell quickly. We encourage families to purchase them early online or through the Nelson Hall Box Office (Tuesday–Friday, 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.) beginning July 13.
Ticket Prices
- Adults: $15
- Children (under 12): $5
Dress Code
Students should:
- Wear comfortable, modest clothing that allows freedom of movement.
- Wear sneakers or other supportive dance shoes.
- No flip-flops or sandals.
- Colorful sneakers or Keds-style high-top sneakers are encouraged.
- Students who own jazz or character shoes are welcome to bring them for rehearsals and dance classes.
Student Expectations
All students are expected to:
- Be kind and respectful to fellow students, staff, volunteers, St. Peter’s Church, Cheshire Academy, and Elim Park residents.
- Always wear their name badge.
- Remain with their assigned group.
- Ask a group leader to accompany them to the restroom.
- Clean up after themselves.
- Keep personal belongings together.
- Treat everyone with respect.
If your child has a question or concern, they should first speak with their group leader. If the issue is not resolved or they are uncomfortable doing so, they should speak with Pam Nelson, Martin Marchitto, or another full-time staff member.
Stack Team App (Required)
All parents must join the FREE Stack Team App, as this will be our primary method of communication throughout the program. Important updates and announcements will be posted there rather than by email.
To join:
- Download Stack Team App from the App Store or Google Play.
- Create your account and activate it using the confirmation email.
- Search for CYT 2026 and request membership.
Please check the Stack Team app daily throughout the program.
Your CYT Team
Our six interns serve as student Team Leaders under the supervision of the Nelson Hall Theatre staff and our professional production team.
Pamela Nelson – Director of Nelson Hall Theatre
Pamela Nelson is the Director of Nelson Hall Theatre and is thrilled to be leading her fifth season with Cheshire Youth Theatre. She holds a Master of Fine Arts in Theatre and previously served as Director of Riverside Children’s Theatre in Vero Beach, Florida. Pamela’s experience includes directing, acting, fundraising, and marketing for performing arts, conservation, and faith-based organizations. She has appeared in numerous regional and community theatre productions, as well as film and television commercials. A native of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Pamela is passionate about creating meaningful opportunities for young performers to grow both on and off the stage.
Martin Marchitto – Production Coordinator & Director, Rock of Ages: Youth Edition
Martin Marchitto returns for his third summer with Cheshire Youth Theatre as Production Coordinator and Director of Rock of Ages: Youth Edition. With a distinguished career as a director, designer, and actor, Martin has worked in professional theatre, higher education, and secondary education. He has served on the faculties of Allegheny College, Iowa Western Community College, and Northwest Catholic High School, and currently teaches theatre and directs productions at Manhattan University. His professional credits range from Off-Broadway productions to Opera Omaha and the Utah Shakespeare Festival. Martin resides in East Haven, Connecticut, and is excited to continue helping young performers develop their talents through CYT.
Zach Pluym – Production Assistant
Zach Pluym is excited to return for his fourth Cheshire Youth Theatre production and has been a valued member of the Nelson Hall Theatre team for nearly four years. Throughout his time at Nelson Hall, he has enjoyed expanding his technical theatre knowledge while supporting a wide variety of productions and events. His experience also includes working alongside production teams from ESPN and collaborating with nationally recognized broadcasters, including Maria Taylor and Cornell Jones. Zach looks forward to another fun and rewarding summer with the talented students of CYT.
Evan Bajohr – Production Assistant & Sound Engineer
Evan Bajohr joined Nelson Hall Theatre as a Production Assistant in the fall of 2024. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music and Sound Recording and is a trained sound engineer and musician. In addition to his experience in musical theatre, Evan has worked with recording studios, live bands, and podcast production. He is excited to serve as Front of House Sound Engineer for this year’s production and help bring the music of Rock of Ages to life.
Maggie Guarino – Music Director
Maggie Guarino teaches English, Theatre, and Music at Cheshire Academy and has been involved in theatre since the third grade. She is passionate about helping young performers discover their creativity, confidence, and love of the performing arts. Maggie previously worked with Cheshire Youth Theatre on Singin’ in the Rain Jr. and served as Music Director for a student-led production of Aladdin Jr. nearly a decade ago. She is delighted to return to CYT and looks forward to making music with this year’s talented cast.
Robin McCahill – Art Director
Robin McCahill is a professional puppeteer, fiber artist, art teacher, bicycle fitting specialist, and member of the Connecticut Guild of Puppetry Board of Directors. She has a passion for inspiring imagination and creativity through the visual arts. This marks Robin’s ninth season with Cheshire Youth Theatre, and she is excited to once again help transform the stage into a magical world for audiences and performers alike.
Kim Saltzman – Choreographer
Kim Saltzman is honored to join Cheshire Youth Theatre as Choreographer. She earned both her Bachelor of Arts in Dance and Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Springfield College. Kim is an American Ballet Theatre Certified Teacher and currently teaches at several local dance studios. She also serves as Resident Choreographer for Connecticut Theatre Company and performs with The Parker Project, a nonprofit dance company. Her choreography credits include A Christmas Carol, The Producers, Cabaret, The Little Mermaid Jr., Head Over Heels, The Nutcracker, and numerous original works presented at benefit performances and community events throughout Connecticut.
Norma Savarino – Costume Designer & Seamstress
For nearly 30 years, Norma Savarino has designed and created costumes, formalwear, and custom performance attire for performers of all ages. Her work has been featured in countless middle and high school theatre productions, music videos, professional dance performances, and touring productions. In addition to theatrical costume design, Norma has spent more than two decades creating uniforms, coordinating flags, and designing elaborate props for high school color guards and marching bands throughout Connecticut. Her creativity, craftsmanship, and attention to detail help bring every production to life.
