Melissa Guest, a Georgia native, has been working with CYT Lafayette on shows and classes for the past 3 years. A graduate from ULL with a bachelor’s in General Studies, Melissa has always had a passion for the arts and loves getting to share this passion with so many talented kids and adults. She has been the CYT Lafayette improv coach since 2017, bringing a team of kids to compete at the CYT Improvathon, held during the CYT National Expo in San Diego; she’s optimistic that this year’s 2020 team, will be the best year yet! Melissa has been a part of several artistic teams including assistant director for Elf Jr., Shrek the Musical and The Hunchback of Notre Dame, director for Peter Pan: Broadway’s Timeless Musical, assistant for CCT’s Little Shop of Horrors, stage manager for Cinderella Jr, and director of CCT’s Mamma Mia. She has also made several stage appearances with CCT Lafayette in The Fantasticks, West Side Story, and Singing in the Rain as Miss Lina Lamont. Melissa is so excited to take on the task of bringing another CYT Lafayette improv team to Improvathon‬!

Renee is thrilled to be a new member of the CYT family! Renee recently moved back to her hometown of Lafayette after spending eight years studying comedy in Chicago, IL. While in Chicago, Renee rose through the ranks at the prestigious comedy institution, The Second City. After graduating from their Conservatory program, Renee was added to the Second City HouseCo team Twisty. Renee wrote and performed sketch comedy at The Second City in such productions as Thank You Five, Ready Player: Won, and 1984-Play. She also studied long-form improv comedy at the iO Theater, and performed on the iO Harold Team St. Gen’s. Renee hopes to use her comedy knowledge to teach CYT students how to find their comedic voice, gain confidence in their writing and performing skills, and most importantly HAVE FUN!