APEX is an advanced track is for dedicated dancers, vocalists, and improv actors who want to experience local advanced training that culminates in a National adjudication and competition experience with fellow talented CYT students from across the Country. 

The APEX initiative is organized into auditioned teams who train under a coach for Winter and Spring session during regularly scheduled CYT class times.  The classes have a formal structure that laser focuses on advanced technique and performance standards that level up the class experience for the passionate and committed student. During their class time, the team prepares performance pieces or exercises/games that follow National criteria. The teams participate in the Branch showcase at the end of the CYT session along with the other classes; however, the final culmination of the work is the experience of competing nationally alongside teams from Branches all over the country at CYT’s National EXPO. 

At EXPO, each APEX dance, voice and improv team will be given an opportunity for individual closed adjudication and feedback from a performing arts professional.  This is a time for rich encouragement and celebration of the talent and work exhibited by the teams, along with constructive and tangible feedback.  Each team will participate in a public showcase of their prepared program.  During the showcase, the teams will be judged on specific criteria, and the top 3 scoring teams will perform in the FINAL APEX EXHIBITION.

The Decathlon Award recognizes exceptional CYT students who have demonstrated a love for theater by pursuing a well-rounded education in the theater arts and who have exhibited a character consistent with CYT values. The award includes a certificate of recognition, as well as a personal letter of recommendation from the CYT National Board of Directors.