About:

Christian Youth Theater (CYT) is an after-school theater arts training program for students ages 4 - 18. Since its founding in 1981 in San Diego California, CYT has grown to be the largest youth theater in the nation. There are affiliates across the country training thousands of students a year. CYT is a non-profit 501(c)(3) educational organization funded primarily through its tuition, ticket sales and outside contributions.

Because CYT does not own facilities for classes or productions, the organization works through the local community, utilizing classrooms and stages in churches, schools and local theaters. CYT is not affiliated with a church body, and people of all faiths are welcome.

CYT stands in the forefront in its commitment to the highest ethical, moral, technical and artistic standards of excellence. Instructors are professionals, qualified in teaching and/or performing, who must understand our mission statement, values, objectives and goals. All CYT staff strive to be excellent role models.

Every session (fall, winter and spring) CYT offers theater arts classes for children as an after-school activity. Each local program conducts three ten-week sessions throughout the school year, teaching drama, voice, dance and a broad spectrum of specialty theatrical workshops at weekly two-hour classes. Enrolled students have the opportunity to work behind the scenes, or audition and perform on stage in a Broadway-style musical performed for the community.

Additional performance opportunities are available to CYT students who may participate in CYT Tour Groups performing musical reviews for community and civic functions. Internships, director training, teacher aiding, and being an inclusion aide are other ways for older students to gain additional training and experience. College credit is available for the director internship program through a local accredited college.

Alumni:

Join CYT's Alumni on Facebook.

Auxillary

Greetings from the Christian Community Theater / Christian Youth Theater Auxiliary!
What is an Auxiliary? The dictionary provides words such as: support, back up, assist, but we would like to add one more word: FUN!

Our CCT/CYT Auxiliary is a family of volunteers. Some are parents and grandparents of former and/or current CYT students and some are just theater goers but all are friends and supporters of our organization. We come together throughout the year, often times over a delicious brunch to discuss how we can combine our talents together to help support CCT and CYT.

Our mission is to advance CCT/CYT in our local community, raising money for the organization and to provide volunteers where needed.

Our organization is responsible for various fundraisers and community involvement throughout the year. We also organize service teams, decorate for parties and meetings, help with alumni events and provide support for CYT and CCT shows.

We would like you to consider being a part of the Auxiliary by completing this very brief form or email questions to auxiliary@cctcyt.org. This is a wonderful opportunity to stay connected with your CCT/CYT family past and present, old friends and new. ALL are welcome.

Board of Directors

Executive Committee

• Harold Ayer, Professional Attorney, The Law Offices of Harold G. Ayer

• Ryan Dentt, Has worked in commercial real estate with his dad Rick Dentt at Pacific Realty Advisors since 2002.

• George Fleming (General Counsel), Attorney, Fleming PC.

• Paul Hubbard (Past Chair), Retired, Ambulance Manufacturing & Sales

• Eric Peterson (Chair Elect), Partner at Lakeshore Partners and serves on the board of The Gregor G. Peterson Family Foundation

• Paul Russell, Executive/Artistic Director CCT/CYT

• Sheryl Russell, Co-founder CCT/CYT

• Cathie Stanner (Managing Director),

• Sue Watson (Chair), Management Consultant; Levit Zacks, Certified Public Accountants

Board Members

• David Bankhead, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER experienced in directing the financial and overall operations of a wide variety of organizations, from start-up ventures to mature companies. Seasoned in all aspects of international and U.S. financial management with expertise in strategic planning, operations and financial management.

• Rick Dentt, President and owner of Dentt Properties, Partner in Pacific Realty Advisors

• Annie Fitzgerald, Has Bachelors in Communications from Cal Los Angeles and a Masters of Business Administration from Pepperdine University. She is on the Board of Management for the Copley YMCA and the Pepperdine Alumni Association of San Diego. Annie currently works for Microsoft Corporation as a Solution Specialist focused on Project and Portfolio Management.

• Debbie Gianulis, Retired lawyer, Vice President of Pacific Companies, real estate investment

• Pat Gilligan, Producer/Director KUSI TV

• Robert Humphrey, Published author of five books, and co-author of two screenplays and one stage play. Volunteers with the Big BrotherSisters program and was Big Brother of the Year in 1997. Currently volunteers for local school district and with the Therapy Dog program for Kaiser-Permanente and other hospitals.

• Kimberly King, is a two-time Emmy award winning host of lifestyle programs. A San Diego native, Kimberly studied music, dance, voice, and theater at the San Diego High School of Creative and Performing Arts before attending USIU's School of Performing and Visual Arts College on a Musical Theatre scholarship.

• Roseanne Lindsay, Registered Nurse

• Bill Littlejohn, CEO and Senior Vice President Sharp HealthCare Foundation; www.sharp.com or www.sharp.com/foundation

• Annie Love, is a retired elementary school teacher. She has been involved with CCT/CYT since 1982 working as a volunteer, Area Coordinator, Expansion Director, Board Member and Past Chair.

• Steve Lyon, President GS Lyon, a CPA consulting company

• Daphne Yuhas, Social Worker, County of San Diego

Directions

Financials

Our annual budget for both CCT and CYT San Diego is more than $3.1 million which includes costumes, sets, props, sound, lights, theater and classroom rental, teacher and artistic team stipends, curriculum writing and design, royalties and many other training and production costs. Only about 80% of the total, or about $2.6 million, comes from ticket sales, tuition and fees. Therefore we must raise more than $500,000 annually to ensure that all our productions and student programs are adequately funded.

CYT is looking to the leaders of today, who truly believe that funds invested in youth is an investment in our future, which goes to the heart of the CYT mission. Charitable support allows CYT to grow and enhance the quality of our training and productions while keeping tuition and ticket prices affordable.

Help Wanted

VOLUNTEER

CCT/CYT cannot function without our volunteer base. We value the importance of those who are willing to help wherever needed. There are many things available to those who want to feel connected to something bigger than themselves. Please visit this section often to see our on-going updates of volunteers needed.

As a thank you for your contribution of time, CCT/CYT volunteers will have the opportunity to attend CCT/CYT productions and special events as our guest!

Current Volunteer Opportunities

Data Entry:
CCT/CYT seeks volunteers to help with various data entry projects. Come sharpen your typing skills! No experience necessary. General computer knowledge a plus. Please contact Breanna Anderson at banderson@cctcyt.org for more details.

Ongoing Volunteer Opportunities
If you would like to be put on a volunteer email list please send us your name and email and we’ll keep you updated in advance where we’ll need your help.

Below is a partial list of some ongoing projects:
• Carpenters & Construction
• Data entry
• Office mailings
• Organizing pictures for later historical use
• Painting
• Program inserts
• Prop construction
• Sewing & Costume Construction
• Show move-in and out
• Sound Engineer
• Ushers
• Welding

To sign up to volunteer contact Breanna Anderson.

The CCT/CYT Auxiliary is another great way to get involved. Click here for more information

EMPLOYMENT

Would you like to work for a family friendly organization that makes a difference in the lives of children and families across the USA? Then CCT/CYT is the place to be.

Our company is growing and changing lives along the way. Check our website frequently to see postings on employment opportunities.

For more information email Cathie Stanner.

Ongoing Employment Opportunities
CYT@school Teachers Needed:
HS graduate with musical theater background
Works well with children
Needs transportation to designated school
Available two afternoons a week - 2 hours each day
Pay is excellent
Curriculum and support materials in place

Please contact CYT@school Director, Rechelle Conde-Nau at 858.483.8262

Internships

Are you a high school or college age student who has a desire to learn the “tricks of the trade” in all aspects of theater productions?

Internships are available in costuming, stagecraft, scenic design, technical theater, lighting and sound, graphics, box office, marketing and theater management.

Please send your area of interest to Janie Russell.

Mission

CCT/CYT is dedicated to developing character in children and adults through training in the arts and by producing wholesome family entertainment, all of which reflect Judeo-Christian values.

CYT’s Values & Objectives:

• Placing the maximum worth on people and treating each individual with respect and significance.

• Developing character values in individuals including commitment, discipline, self esteem, confidence and integrity.

• Supporting the family unit through the direct involvement of each family member’s talents, interests and abilities.

• Providing a quality product without compromising a wholesome environment.

• Being a godly role model promoting the awareness of a higher accountability.

History

Paul & Sheryl Russell, both teachers at Christian High, began a community theater in the family garage. It was the summer of 1980 and the show was The Sound of Music. The purpose was to provide a vehicle for talented amateur performers from San Diego's local churches. All performances were held atop beautiful Mt. Helix in La Mesa. The sets were made from cardboard and the lighting was mounted on sawhorses which created scary shadows on the faces of the actors. But the audience enjoyed it anyway wanting more so an annual tradition began.

One year later, in 1981, the parents of this newly found organization Christian Community Theater (CCT) asked Paul and Sheryl to start an after-school theater arts program for their children. Paul and Sheryl with two small children and one on the way birthed another child, Christian Youth Theater (CYT). It began with 24 students producing the show; You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown.

CYT continued to grow in San Diego County, as parents wanted CYT closer to their neighborhood. Programs opened in Escondido in1986 and South County in 1987. Other areas soon followed and now CYT is located in 9 areas around San Diego and Temecula Valley with an annual participation of 4,000 students who take classes, participate in shows and attend summer theater camps.

Families from San Diego moved to Chicago, Illinois and Spokane, Washington. Their desire to have CYT in their community motivated them to work towards having CYT in their cities and thus the birth of CYT-USA took place in the Fall of 1997.

CYT-USA has now grown to be the largest children’s theater organization in America with branches in 13 states and 31 programs.

Annually CYT-USA trains more than 10,000 young people ages 4-18.

Partnerships

Partner Organizations
Lakeside Middle School
Girls Scouts
San Diego Christian College
City of El Cajon
Mt Helix Park Foundation
Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum
Escondido Charter High School

Rentals

CCT/CYT has a large inventory of scenery, drops, props, costumes, set pieces and theatrical furniture, along with a limited amount of lighting, special effects equipment and theater hardware available for rent. Inventory changes therefore the list of items may not be accurate. Please email rentals@cctcyt.org or contact the CYT Office at 619-588-0206. CCT/CYT is an educational theater organization so our shows have priority over any others. Appointments for viewing, pick-up and returns are required. No walk-in customers please.

See below for agreement and catalogs:
Drop Catalog
Set Catalog
Scenic Rental Agreement

Sponsors

CYT sponsors represent a select group of individuals, corporations and organizations with levels beginning at $500 for CYT productions.

This is a wonderful vehicle to increase your visibility in your community by reaching CYT’s loyal audiences. Sponsorship benefits create opportunities for business leaders to interact with patrons, staff and other corporate leaders through intimate gatherings and events.

	A full service travel agency committed to CYT and Christian family values.
	Committed to fulfilling all your storage needs with quality storage, superior customer service and convenient locations.
	An independent television station; an audience favorite since 1992.
	Las Patronas is an all-volunteer philanthropic organization with a long history of giving. Since its inception in 1946, Las Patronas has donated more than $12 million to over a thousand charitable institutions in San Diego.
	Dedicated to developing prosperous, long term relationships with our investors and partners.
	The Fieldstone Foundation mission is to provide grants, leadership development, and service to nonprofit organizations working to support people in our communities. The Fieldstone Foundation's mission is guided by the following values: Excellence in everything we do An environment of teamwork and trust The value of each employee Commitment to our communities The importance of responsible stewardship Integrity in the conduct of our business

Vision

• CYT will be recognized as the best youth arts program in the nation.

• To make the arts as accessible to children as sports or scouting programs throughout the entire country.

• To build a CYT Performing Arts Center to serve as a national center for excellence in children’s theater, serving as a training ground for future generations in the performing arts.<

Wish List

Current Needs:
• Light board for Red Door
• A bar code system for sets and props
• Color Scroller for Black Box Theatre
• Wireless microphones
• Pipeline/fire suppressant system for the Black Box
• 5 Serial ATA 1 Terabyte Internal Hard Disk Drives to upgrade our backup system
• Funds to re-key office
• CYT TV Sponsor: $400 (Monthly)
• Wireless access card: $150 (One Time) + $75 (Monthly)
• Senior Follies 2010 Show Sponsor
• Tessitura Web Integration
• Ticketing bar code scanners
• Office security camera
• Office bathroom remodel
• CYT TV Laptop portable filming station: $1,999
• Ice Maker for office refrigerator
• Three office desks
• Phone headsets for all staff
• Mac computer for Video, Sound Production & Graphics: $1,699

For more information about donating please contact development at development@cctcyt.org