MYT's Shining Stars
Music & Theater Education for students in grades 3-5
Shining Stars take the next step in performing arts. Students learn choreography, how to read basic music and notation, improve reading and memorization skills, and begin character development while gaining confidence, learning to project, and how to work as a team. The program ends with a 30-minute musical where every student gets their moment to shine.
Upcoming Shining Stars Registrations:
Show TBA - Fall 2026
Grades 3-5 Registration now open!
Main Stage - Spring 2027
Grades 1-12. Registration opens in Fall 2026.
To Register:
YMCA Members or Program Members: Click Here to Register
Not a member? Visit the Downtown YMCA Front Desk (110 W Main) or call (203) 235-6386!
If this is your first MYT show, you MUST fill out this Google Form after registering with the YMCA!
Fall 2026 - Annie KIDS
Registration: NOW OPEN! Register before August 15 to save $100.
Early Bird Pricing: Y Member: $149. Program Member: $199.
After Aug 15th: Y Member: $249. Program Member: $299.
Auditions: Sunday, September 6th at the MYT Rehearsal Hall (14 W Main).
Times TBD.
Rehearsals: Sundays 12-4 PM at the MYT Rehearsal Hall (14 W Main). Call time will likely be everyone 12-3 and then certain characters stay until 4, depending on what scenes we are rehearsing that week.
Sept 13
Sept 20
Sept 27
Oct 4
Oct 11
Oct 18
Oct 25
Nov 1
Nov 8
Nov 15
Dress Rehearsals: Mandatory at Edison.
Monday, November 16th, 5:30-8
Tuesday, November 17th, 5:30-8
Wednesday, November 18th, 6-8
Performances:
Friday, November 20th, 7 PM
Saturday, November 21st, 2 & 7 PM
Sunday, November 22nd, 2 PM
Spring 2027
Registration: Opens in Fall 2026
Y Member: TBA. Program Member: TBA.
Auditions: Saturday, January 23rd at the MYT Rehearsal Hall (14 W Main).
Times TBD.
Rehearsals: Saturdays 9-4 PM at MYT Rehearsal Hall (14 W Main). Students will rehearse for 2-4 hours each Saturday. The schedule will depend on ensemble groups and what scenes we are working on that day. You must be available from 9-4 to participate. We are no longer able to accommodate AM or PM rehearsal preferences.
Jan 30
Feb 6
Feb 13
Feb 20
Feb 27
Mar 6
Mar 13 - at Edison
Mar 20 - at Edison
Mar 27 - at Edison
Apr 3 - at Edison
April 10 - at Edison
Dress Rehearsals: Mandatory at Edison
Saturday, April 17, 9-5
Monday, April 19, 5:30-9
Tuesday, April 20, 5:30-9
Wednesday, April 21, 5:30-9
Thursday, April 22, 5:30-9
Performances:
April 23-25th (Fri 7/Sat 11/Sat 3/Sat 7/Sun 1/Sun 5)
General Program Information
MYT is a year round program for students in grades K-12. In addition to preparing for the show, our rehearsals also focus on teamwork, music, dance, and character development. Our Shining Star program runs for 3 months in the Fall and for two 2-week sessions in the summer. In the Spring, everyone works together on the same musical.
Rehearsals and Performances
Our program rehearses at the Y-Arts Building (14-16 W Main) in the fall and spring, with performances at Edison Middle School. Our summer camp programs rehease and perform under the MYTent at Mountain Mist Day Camp
Registration
Registration for all MYT programs is processed by the Meriden YMCA. If you are not a member of the Y, you can purchase a program membership to sign up for Y programs like MYT. Current Y members may register online. Others may call or visit the front desk (110 W Main).
Our Staff
Jalina Secchiaroli is the director of our Shining Star program. Carolyn Daniels is the MYT program director. You can contact her at cdaniels@meridenymca.org.
Our staff, interns, and CITs support the Shining Star program year-round, creating a unique mentoring program where our elementary students work with high school and college students who are alumni or studying education in college.
Shining Stars History
2016: 101 Dalmatians KIDS & Elf JR
2017: Aristocats KIDS & Sendin' Out Love
2018: Willy Wonka KIDS & BCPE
2019: Frog and Toad KIDS & The Greatest Snowman
2020: Annie KIDS
2021: Jungle Book KIDS & Frozen KIDS
2022: AristoCats KIDS & North Pole's Got Talent
2023: Winnie the Pooh KIDS & Once on a Housetop
2024: Finding Nemo KIDS & Willy Wonka JR
2025: Frog and Toad KIDS & Music Man KIDS
2026: Pirates Past Noon KIDS & Annie KIDS
