"Everyone Should Be Celebrated!"
Cynthia Ford | Founder and Director
Our Mission
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To blend together a team of youth, no matter their physical, mental or emotional challenges.
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To train them to befriend and work together with those that may be seen as different.
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To not only makes great actors on stage, but great people offstage as well.
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To produce and perform 5-star professional theatre shows.
Watch These Videos For A Behind The Scenes Look at What BYT Is All About
A Word From The Founder
The old adage, "What matters the most is the performance", is not one by which I live. Directing, writing, and choreographing for over 40 years has led me to a better truth; it is not the end, but how you get to the end that matters most.
Bluffton Youth Theatre’s vision was birthed through prayer and study of God’s Word, the Bible. In the eyes of God, all humans were created in His image. There are no mistakes or mis-creations. Despite this, humans have labeled some as being physically disabled, mentally impaired and, hence, creations that are “mistakes”. Consequently, these mistakes are pitied and many times excluded. BYT’s view falls in line with God’s view and was created to show the world that there are no atypical or typical humans. All humans are created with both strengths and weaknesses so people can blend together to make a unified team. BYT, teaches this truth through the medium of live theatre, creating a team that performs first-rate productions showing audiences that everyone should be celebrated.
Cynthia Ford | Founder of Bluffton Youth Theatre
What Makes Us Different?
Since 2015, BYT has taught hundreds of youth how to be compassionate and caring toward those who are different from them through the art of theatre. We are unique in that we blend those with special needs with those that are deemed typical, training them to perform in 5-star productions. No matter a youth’s challenges be they intellectual or physical, whether non-verbal, autistic, or laden with severe anxiety, everyone is cast as an integral part of the live performances. We have an overwhelming number of positive testimonials from parents of both typical and atypical youth as well as audience members stating that the shows and experience they gained, are first-rate. Many have viewed and even participated in other professional theatre companies and without a doubt, BYT is equal to and even surpasses their expectations. BYT is not only a benefit to all youth, no matter their challenges, but a much needed benefit to the community. Most organizations cater strictly to typical youth and others mainly to atypical youth; BYT's blending is truly one-of-a kind and when you become a patron, you will gain insight into an all-inclusive environment where “different” is not seen.
