When the pandemic brought an abrupt halt to live theatre programs and productions in March of 2020, CYS kept our young artists engaged and our community connected virtually through our Together in Isolation series. ​

The Romeo & Juliet Project brought together 27 socially-distanced artists from across the country to read, discuss, and explore Shakespeare's most famous love story during a time of isolation. Featuring young artists and alumni of the CYS Ensemble alongside esteemed professional Shakespeare actors, The Romeo & Juliet Project premiered on YouTube for audiences free of charge, and was made possible in part by grants from the Illinois Arts Council Agency, DCASE, The Paul M Angell Family Foundation, The Illinois Humanities Council, and Merrill Lynch. 

​Read about the cast and contributing artists HERE, and...
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Check out Manon's interview with TV actor, (and Romeo & Juliet Project cast member), Peter Jacobson HERE!

​Thanks to everyone who came out to support CYS and Chicago's amazing theatre community during Chicago Theatre Week 2021! ​

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 Although COVID-19 made it impossible for CYS to offer our annual, six-week Summer Shakes program in 2020, we did offer a virtual, one-week-long scene study class in July. Check out the (Short) Summer Shakes scenes from Macbeth here!

In this short video, the 2019/'20 CYS Ensemble pays tribute to one of our heroes: Sir Patrick Stewart, and his #ASonnetADay project with their very own version of Shakespeare's Sonnet 29.

Throughout the month of April, CYS celebrated The Bard's birthday by posting daily Shakespeare content on our Facebook Page.  ​​​​#OurDailyBard posts included blasts from CYS's past, Bard facts and trivia, links to Shakespeare performances, and more! 

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On APRIL 23, (the Bard's big day). CYS posted our first-ever VIRTUAL Shakespeare performance, a project featuring members of the 2019/'20 CYS Ensemble (AKA The Pandemic Players).

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CYS's Together in Isolation series was made possible in part by grant support of the following funders:
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​and by the generous contributions of individual donors. Learn more.

CYS Ensemble
Summer Shakes
CYS In-Schools
Productions
CYS Training
Past Programs