Cumbernauld Youth Theatre consists of around 200 young people split into 6 groups ranging in age from 5 - 21 years. CYT has been in existence since 1980 and has become known as one of the most prolific and renowned youth theatre groups in Scotland, producing many actors, musicians, singers, designers, technicians and writers now working professionally in theatre and TV, at home and abroad. From contemporary physical theatre through to musicals and light-hearted romance to Shakespeare and the classics, CYT has always produced plays of substance and meaning whilst never forgetting to both enjoy themselves and entertain others.

In the past 20 years the group has tackled issues such as anorexia, teenage alcoholism, sectarianism and homelessness with commitment, determination and a seemingly unstoppable flow of raw talent, enthusiasm and boundless energy.

That is not to say that all CYT productions have such powerful messages to deliver, important as these issues are. Some productions are designed to involve everyone and just have fun being part of the performance and process of staging a play, as in our large scale Youth Theatre productions such as Bugsy Malone, Brillcreem, Hot Pants & Fancy Flares and Blood Wedding many of which are devised and written by the group.

In recent years Cumbernauld Youth Theatre has taken part in the Royal National Theatre's BT National Connections project, involving youth theatre groups nationwide, and have performed in Eden Court Theatre in Inverness and the MacRobert in Stirling. The Senior group have also made three separate trips to perform in Bron, Cumbernauld's French twin town near Lyon, where they have presented a devised play based on Bram Stoker's Dracula, John Godber's Teechers and GB Shaw's Pygmalion to high school and university
audiences.