About CYT

What is Christian Youth Theater?

Christian Youth Theater (CYT) is an after-school theater arts training program for students ages 4-18. Since its founding in 1980, CYT has grown to be the largest youth theater program in the nation, with Branches across the country training thousands of students a year.

Each Branch’s yearly calendar is made up of three ten-week sessions: Fall, Winter,and Spring. These session involves after-school classes in theater arts and the opportunity to audition and perform in a Broadway-style musical or work behind-the-scenes. Additionally, CYT offers a Summer session consisting of camps, workshops, and performance opportunities.

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 understand our mission statement, values, objectives, and goals.

Mission & Values

Mission
Christian Youth Theater develops character and creativity in kids of all ages through quality theater arts training that brings families and communities together while reflecting the Creator.

Values
  • Treat each individual with respect and significance
  • Develop character traits including discipline, self-confidence, and integrity
  • Bring families together through the use of individual talents and abilities
  • Share the love of Christ in word and deed

“There are a lot of kids learning integrity who will bring it into their communities later in life.”

CYT Director

Classes

Classes

Find out more about how CYT Classes operate.

Learn More
Camps

Camps

Find out more about how CYT Camps operate.

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Shows

Shows

Find out more about how CYT Shows operate.

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Impact

Every year, CYT HQ works with local communities to bring branches to new cities. As CYT grows, so does the impact of our organization on future leaders of our nation and world.
More About CYT's Impact

Current Staff Members:

Janie Cox

President
Janie has been involved with CYT since birth! Performing since the age of 4 she has been involved with over 150 different productions, performing, directing, choreographing, or costuming. Janie studied musical theater at Boston Conservatory and has also done film with ABC, MTV, LXD and Invisible Children. Her true passion is for live theater and the “next” generation training in the ARTS! Janie’s daily goal in life is to love God and love people. Sing. Act. Dance. Live. Create. Play. Laugh. Love.

(619) 588-0206 x517

Paul Russell

Founder/CEO
Paul has extensive background in the entertainment field for over 30 years. After receiving a Master's degree in Drama and Communication Arts at San Diego State University, he taught at both the high school and college level for 10 years. His writing credentials consist of seven full length children's musicals including Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, Tall Tales, and Little Mermaid. Dr. Russell has also written three instructional books on Readers' Theater. Paul recently won the Bravo award for The Spirit of Showbiz. He earned his Doctorate in Education specializing in Children’s Theater in 1998 from California Coast University.

(619) 588-0206 x518

Sheryl Russell

Co-Founder
Sheryl is the co-founder of Christian Community Theater and Christian Youth Theater is a former high school teacher. She has been recognized for her business accomplishments through the Channel 10 Leadership Award and by the Women Together organization recognizing women in the arts. Sheryl was honored as Mother of the Year by March of Dimes. She has been married to her husband, Paul, for 42 years and has four grown children and eight grandchildren.

Laura Bertagnolli

Chief Financial Officer
Laura comes to us with a diverse background ranging from small business accounting and finance to public accounting with Arthur Andersen LLP. She has worked in the fields of manufacturing, biotechnology, and energy trading and marketing. She received Bachelors of Business Administration degrees in both Accounting and Finance from Texas A&M University and holds a Certified Public Accountant license in the State of California. She is thrilled to use her skills to make a real difference in the community! Laura is married to Mark and is proud to say that she is finally a CYT mom as her teenage “soccer” boys are on crew for their third show this summer.

(619) 588-0206 x506

Renee Kauffman

VP of Creative
Renee began her CYT journey by attending Summer Camp in 1995, where she met the world’s greatest friends and became a “lifer”. She has gone from CYT student, to teacher, camp counselor, Choreographer, Director, and now full time staff member. Some of her favorite past roles have included Ronette in Little Shop of Horrors, Frenchy in Grease, Urleen in Footloose, and Jo March in Little Women, all with CYT San Diego/CCT. Some shows she’s directed/choreographed include Traditions of Christmas, Godspell, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat at the top of Mt. Helix in the summer of 2010. Renee also finds time here and there to perform with Lambs Players Theater in their rockin 80s musical review MixTape. But her all time favorite role is being wife to Curtis Kauffman, and mother to Sailor & River.

(619) 588-0206 x519

Travis Russell

VP of Design
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).

(619) 588-0206 x521

Kara List

National Branch Director
Kara couldn't be more excited to be joining the HQ team and continuing her CYT journey as the National Branch Director. Kara found CYT as a teacher in 2009 and fell in love with the organization. In 2015, Kara became the Artistic Director of CYT Fredericksburg and had the blessing of serving and learning alongside some of the most fun and inspirational people. Kara hails from Pennsylvania where she earned her Bachelor's degree in Music Education and Vocal Performance from Grove City College, a private Christian Liberal Arts College. Since then, she has continued to pursue her passions as a dance teacher and choreographer, voice and piano teacher, director, company dancer in a local dance company, "Company 360", faithful Jeopardy fan, and most importantly a wife and mother! She counts CYT and this new role as such a gift from the Lord and prays that He will use her and this organization to serve many and make His name known!

Karen Smith

National Branch Administrator
Karen is elated to be joining the HQ Staff as the National Branch Administrator. Karen started at a young age dancing in North Carolina and continued through college, dancing with Meredith Dance Theatre at Meredith College in Raleigh NC. She had the opportunity to tour the state with the NC Dance Festival and performed at numerous American College Dance Festivals. In 2001, she received her Business degree from NC State University with a concentration in Marketing and Finance and a desire to pursue Arts Administration. Karen began her involvement with CYT when her daughter took her first Wiggles class in 2012. In 2016, Karen began working for CYT Fredericksburg as an Office Manager and was later hired as the Managing Director there until her family relocated to Jacksonville, FL. Karen is very thankful she gets to combine her love of the performing arts and her administrative skills to use to help and serve branches at CYT HQ!

Paul Stine

Marketing & Graphic Design Associate
Paul Stine is thrilled to be joining the CYT HQ staff! He is also a choreographer, director, performer, and dance instructor born and raised in San Diego. Paul has worked artistically for many community and youth theater companies, high schools, dance companies, and has also created entertainment productions at LEGOLAND California Resort. He has performed professionally at venues such as World of Dance LA, The Welk Resort Theater, LA’s Choreographers Carnival Ball, and Hip Hop International in Las Vegas, and as a dancer at the Disneyland Resort. His goal is to inspire and touch people through the use of theatrical media across the nation.

Lydia Kinne

National HYPE Director
Lydia Kinne is a 5th grade teacher by day and National HYPE Director by night. She earned her Bachelor’s in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Reading and a minor in Theater in 2014 from Eastern Washington University. She was involved with CYT-Spokane for eleven years, starting as a student, and continuing on as a teacher, camp director, and HYPE adviser. She has been developing the national HYPE program for the last several years, and loves getting to know student leaders around the country – especially at the National Expo every year! She resides in Spokane, WA, and enjoys reading good books, writing on her blog, laughing joyously, drinking chai, and seeing where God will take her next. She is passionate about student leadership, and loves helping to grow the impact of CYT and HYPE throughout the nation.

Riley Taylor

National Improvathon Director
Riley is an elementary teacher in Kansas City. He has been involved in CYT for two decades. His prior roles include Improvathon Director, Kansas City Improv coach, and Unnamed Townsperson in Little House on the Prairie.