CYT Phoenix announces Elise Palma as their new Artistic Director

CYT Phoenix is pleased to announce the addition of Elise Palma to the staff as Artistic Director beginning June 2023.  Current Artistic Director, Stephanie Carpenter, is retiring from the position after six years in the role.

"CYT Phoenix is a beautifully unique community.  The combination of performing arts excellence and our values and culture require leadership beyond being passionate about theater.  Elise is indeed passionate about all aspects of theater, but even more so about the kids and their families who participate at CYT.  We're very excited about the upcoming season and beyond with the staff we have in place." - Outgoing Artistic Director, Stephanie Carpenter

Palma has been a fixture at CYT for the last two years as a MainStage Director and Teaching Artist.  She has been all over the country spreading her love of the arts. She’s been ariZoni Award-nominated for her performance, directing and designs across the Valley. After getting her MFA in Acting from the University of Florida, she started building theatre programs at schools in NYC and working Off Broadway. Here in the Valley she’s been using directing as a tool to pour into the next generation of artists. In addition to CYT Phoenix, she’s worked at Phoenix Theater, Blackbox, Desert Stages, Spotlight, and Southwest Shakespeare as a director, actress, teaching artist and wig designer. 

CYT Phoenix began in the Valley in 2005 and is part of the larger network of CYT Branches across the nation which began in San Diego over 40 years ago.  The yearly calendar consists of three ten-week sessions that involve after-school classes in performing arts with the opportunity to audition and perform in a Broadway-style MainStage show or work behind the scenes. Additionally, CYT offers a Summer session consisting of camps, workshops, and classes.  - www.cytphoenix.org