Christian Youth Theater (CYT) San Diego
CYT San Diego, 1545 Pioneer Way, Chula Vista, CA 91910
About
Christian Youth Theater (CYT) San Diego offers after school theater arts training that includes classes, camps, and shows. Students enrolled in classes can AUDITION for that trimester Show, and the program also includes CCT - Christian Community Theater, EXPO - a national event that brings CYT communities together, and HYPE - the CYT High School Leadership Team.
• Ages: 4–18 years old
Christian Youth Theater (CYT) was founded in 1980. CYT San Diego is described as the largest youth theater program in the nation, with Branches across the country training thousands of students a year, and it has various programs for people in all ages and stages of life. The program offers trimester classes weekly for ages 4–18, offers classes from time to time for adults, runs summer camps for ages 5–12, and offers programming opportunities for ages 13–18. For students ages 8–18 enrolled in classes, the program states that they have the opportunity to audition for that trimester show. CCT - Christian Community Theater is listed for ages 4–104. EXPO is described as a National Event that brings CYT communities together, and HYPE is identified as the CYT High School Leadership Team. The stated mission is that Christian Youth Theater develops character and creativity through quality theater arts training that brings families and communities together while reflecting Jesus. Listed values are: Character over Competition; People over Programs; Service over Spotlight; Excellence over Ego. Community Partners are listed as a section on the About page.
The leadership team includes: Janie Cox - Artistic Director; Robyn Rebold-Smith - Managing Director; Travis Russell - Design Director; Rene Smith - Branch Administrator; Debi Couch - Accounting Manager; Lynn Renfrow - Costume Manager; Kristin Preddy - Costume Rentals Assistant; Lane Adams - Chair (Board of Directors); and Craig Bellinger - Vice Chair (Board of Directors). Staff credentials include that Janie studied musical theater at Boston Conservatory and has done film with ABC, MTV, and LXD. Travis entered the art world as a stage lighting designer and has designed over 100 productions in locations such as San Diego, Los Angeles, New York, and Puerto Rico, and has directed fully-staged musical productions including Jesus Christ Superstar, Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Footloose, Oklahoma!, Godspell, Aladdin, and Beauty & the Beast. In 2003 Travis Russell won a San Diego Billie Award for “Outstanding Direction,” and he has also worked for Invisible Children as Technical Director, The Old Globe Theatre as Lighting Designer, and Apple as a Mac Specialist. Lynn earned her M.F.A. from San Diego State in Theater Design and Technical Production and has worked at numerous theatres, including The Old Globe and The San Diego Repertory Theatre, as a scenic artist, prop-master, and costumer.
Last updated June 22, 2026.
• Ages: 4–18 years old
Christian Youth Theater (CYT) was founded in 1980. CYT San Diego is described as the largest youth theater program in the nation, with Branches across the country training thousands of students a year, and it has various programs for people in all ages and stages of life. The program offers trimester classes weekly for ages 4–18, offers classes from time to time for adults, runs summer camps for ages 5–12, and offers programming opportunities for ages 13–18. For students ages 8–18 enrolled in classes, the program states that they have the opportunity to audition for that trimester show. CCT - Christian Community Theater is listed for ages 4–104. EXPO is described as a National Event that brings CYT communities together, and HYPE is identified as the CYT High School Leadership Team. The stated mission is that Christian Youth Theater develops character and creativity through quality theater arts training that brings families and communities together while reflecting Jesus. Listed values are: Character over Competition; People over Programs; Service over Spotlight; Excellence over Ego. Community Partners are listed as a section on the About page.
The leadership team includes: Janie Cox - Artistic Director; Robyn Rebold-Smith - Managing Director; Travis Russell - Design Director; Rene Smith - Branch Administrator; Debi Couch - Accounting Manager; Lynn Renfrow - Costume Manager; Kristin Preddy - Costume Rentals Assistant; Lane Adams - Chair (Board of Directors); and Craig Bellinger - Vice Chair (Board of Directors). Staff credentials include that Janie studied musical theater at Boston Conservatory and has done film with ABC, MTV, and LXD. Travis entered the art world as a stage lighting designer and has designed over 100 productions in locations such as San Diego, Los Angeles, New York, and Puerto Rico, and has directed fully-staged musical productions including Jesus Christ Superstar, Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Footloose, Oklahoma!, Godspell, Aladdin, and Beauty & the Beast. In 2003 Travis Russell won a San Diego Billie Award for “Outstanding Direction,” and he has also worked for Invisible Children as Technical Director, The Old Globe Theatre as Lighting Designer, and Apple as a Mac Specialist. Lynn earned her M.F.A. from San Diego State in Theater Design and Technical Production and has worked at numerous theatres, including The Old Globe and The San Diego Repertory Theatre, as a scenic artist, prop-master, and costumer.
Last updated June 22, 2026.
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