Current Teachers:
Abbey Couch
Abbey is recent highschool graduate who has been apart of 26 full productions (mostly CYT) and has had the opportunity to stage manage, work lights and sound, crew, direct, act, sing, dance, and understudy. She loves working with others and is excited to be working with the CYT summer camp kids!
Angela Bottini
Angela holds a theater degree with a specialization in sound design and stage management from San Francisco State University. Her professional journey includes working in the sound department at the La Jolla Playhouse and completing fellowship at the Old Globe, where she honed her skills in stage management. With 12 years of experience as a director and sound engineer in talk radio, Angela brings a wealth of knowledge to every role she takes on. A proud wife and mother of two boys, she is now thrilled to share her expertise by teaching tech at CYT.
Brittany Lindsay
Brittany began her CYT career almost 30 years ago as an Our Gang student, was in over 20 CYT productions, and has taught CYT classes. She currently teaches at an Arts school in East County where she directs a show choir, as well as the spring musical. Brittany is thrilled to return to CYT as a teacher after several years. CYT has always held a special place in her heart, and she is looking forward to singing and dancing with amazing CYT students!
Chris Rubio
He has worked in every aspect of performing arts. He is a CYT alumni and founder of Arms Wide Open where there mission is to enrich the lives of individuals with special needs throughout San Diego County by fostering caring social environments and creating opportunities for recreation and participation in the arts. Chris is a master teacher in the fields of percussion, dance, choreography, instrumental, producing a Broadway production, writing a screenplay, writing music, directing theatre, etc. He performed with the off-Broadway production of STOMP for six years both in the United States and overseas. In 2015 Chris choreographed the closing performance for the European Games featuring more than 55,000 dancers and drummers from all over the world. He is excited to be working with CYT again!
Christine Callaway
Christine Callaway is thrilled to be joining the teaching staff at CYT San Diego and looks forward to all the amazing memories her students will experience. She is no stranger to the classroom as this is her 10th year teaching. She has taught all different age ranges from kindergarten to high school but currently is the Middle School theatre teacher at La Mesa Arts Academy. In addition, Christine once worked at a local theme park where she was a senior producer of shows and events. Some of her favorite productions she has directed have included Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Moana Jr, A Midsummer Nights Dream and Mary Poppins. In her spare time she tries to visit Disneyland as frequently as possible so she is excited to share her joy with students in Our Gang’s Mickey Mouse Club!
Kara Lee
Kara Lee is a wife, mama, creative, and connector. She graduated with a degree in vocal music from Baylor University and has worked in production most of her life. She is a writer, producer, singer, director, actress, worship leader, founder of The Well Community for Women and owner of Next Door Photos. Kara loves performing as often as she can, but loves directing just as much!
Megs Levi
Megs is a boutique photographer by day and a passionate theatre teacher by night! In both of her fields of expertise, Megs is intensely passionate about bringing out the best in what people have to offer. She earned her degrees in Theatre and Theology with an emphasis in community-based theatre from Whitworth University in Spokane, WA, and she falls more in love with theatre-making and her husband Leif, every day. "Theater as an endeavor and an experience teaches us vital attributes of the Christian faith and what it means to be fully human, fully alive, and present, created in the image of God, who is always present." - Performing the Sacred.
Micah Valadez
Micah has over 10 years of experience in child care and has been with the CYT family for over a year now. She graduated at San Diego State University with a degree in Child and Family Development with a Theatre Arts minor. Her love for music, theatre, and dance started at a very young age and hopes to continue her passions through helping others grow.
Olivia Pietila
Hi I’m Olivia! I have been a part of CYT for many years now, participating in shows, and now teaching for almost 3 years! Theatre has always been a passion of mine- I love seeing and helping children find that same passion, and use it to glorify Jesus! I have always wanted to be a dance teacher, and I absolutely love being able to do so at my most favorite place!! Can’t wait to meet you!🫶🏼
Sarah Larson
Sarah is excited to join CYT, where she can combine her love for the arts with her passion for children. With a rich background in community theater, choir, show choir, dance, and scenic art, she has always been deeply immersed in the performing arts. Sarah has taught in various classroom settings, bringing valuable teaching skills and a love for creativity to her theater classes. Sarah believes that art, music, and theater are gifts from a beautiful and creative God, and through these arts, we get to experience a glimpse of His character. She is passionate about creating a safe, nurturing, and inspiring environment where all students can more fully step into the creative person God has designed them to be.
Travis Russell
Travis entered the art world 20 years ago as a stage lighting designer. Over the past 17 years Travis has designed over 100 productions in locations such as San Diego, Los Angeles, New York and Puerto Rico. He has directed over 10 fully-staged musical productions including, Jesus Christ Superstar, Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Footloose, Oklahoma!, Godspell, Aladdin and Beauty & the Beast. In 2003 he won a San Diego Billie Award for ‘Outstanding Direction’. Travis decided to pursue his dream of painting in October of 1998. Since then, he has painted over 60 paintings and sold over 20 of them at self-promoted art shows. Work experience includes Invisible Children (Technical Director), Old Globe Theatre (Lighting Designer), and Apple (Mac Specialist).
cassandra jungers
Hi! My name is Cassie. I have been teaching with CYT for over 10 years now and it has been the most rewarding experience! I have wanted to be a teacher since I was a young child, and seeing it come to life alongside one of my passions is a dream come true! I long to see kids grow and develop into who they were created to be. I believe theatre plays a huge part assisting kids in developing countless skills and strengths, amongst them are confidence, public speaking, and brain stimulation through memorization and communication. I am honored for the opportunity to be working with this incredible company. I look forward to meeting and working with all your children during our classes! Cassie Jungers