Anjanette Maraya-Ramey - Managing Director
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Anjanette Maraya-Ramey is a Certified Nonprofit Professional, with a Master’s degree in Nonprofit Leadership and Management from USD. Ms. Maraya-Ramey holds a B.F.A. in Dance Performance and Choreography from CalArts and has been involved in the local dance community as a dancer, teacher and independent choreographer. She has taught modern dance and musical theater choreography at West Hills High School and served as a movement consultant for La Jolla Playhouse, and guest choreographer... Read More |
Janie Russell Cox - Artistic Director
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Janie has been involved with CYT since birth! Performing since the age of 4 she has now been involved with over 130 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 the Lord with all of her heart, soul, mind,... Read More |
Paul Russell - Founder / President
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Paul Russell 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'... Read More |
Sheryl Russell - CFO
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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 38 years and has four grown children and five grandchildren. |
Renee Kauffman - Associate Artistic Director
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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... Read More |
Brad Davis - Technical Director/Artistic Associate
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Brad has been involved in CYT since 1990, and an employee since 2008. In his time after graduating from CYT he studied music, Theatre, Sketch Comedy, Improv and Drumming. Brad has experience in music production, sound, recording, engineering and mixing and does all of those things on a regular basis. He loves teaching and directing, and empowering the future generation of leaders to rise above the low standards that have been set. He also is the creator of an incredibly popular... Read More |
Curtis Kauffman - Production Shop Manager
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Curtis received his Bachelor's degree in Theology from California Baptist University. He likes all things day time and ocean, especially sailing. He has a passion for telling people about Jesus and a desire to see everyone come to know Him. If you need to rent a backdrop, set peice or props, give Curtis a call.You just might make a new friend as well. |
Lynn Renfrow - Costume Manager
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Lynn started working as the Costume Manager for CYT in 2008. She earned her M.F.A. from San Diego State in Theater Design and Technical Production. She has worked at numerous theatres, including The Old Globe and The San Diego REPertory Theatre, as a scenic artist, prop-master and costumer. Lynn has been married for 12 years to her loving husband David and has a precocious puppy named Sammy. |
Vittoria Allen - Box Office
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Vittoria is so excited to be working at the place she called home for almost 10 years of her childhood. She recently received her BA from SDSU studying Journalism and Italian. She is now enjoying being a wife to her amazing husband. Outside of the office, she is a freelance writer and lover of reading, crafting and baking! |
Courtney Fero - Box Office
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Courtney is so excited to be back in San Diego and back with CYT. She spent some time living and working in NYC after graduating from UC Irvine with a BFA in Music Theatre. She met her husband in NYC and is so happy to be married and back in her hometown doing what she loves! She is super thankful for the opportunity of being a part of such a wonderful organization. |
Patricia Chavez - Area Coordinator - South County
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Patty Chavez is San Diego's South County's new Area Coordinator. She and her husband Richard live in Chula Vista with their three children Jacob, Madelin and Paul. Madelin and Paul joined the CYT family in Fall 2010. On her spare time, Patty is owner of Patricia E Chavez & Associates a communication firm specializing in community outreach and public relations. |
Tina Filley - Area Coordinator - San Diego East County
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Tina Filley has been the San Diego East County Area Coordinator for the past two years and has been a part of CCT/CYT for over nine years. She shares a love for theater alongside her husband Robert and four children (Connor 17, Cara 15, Noah 11 and Emma 9). Tina enjoys working with kids and watching them learn and grow on and off stage. She feels blessed to be a part of such a wonderful organization. She looks forward to meeting more kids and families, encouraging all who are a part of CYT... Read More |
Tanya Tafolla - Area Coordinator - San Diego Central
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Tanya Tafolla has been the San Diego Central Area Coordinator for the past 6 years. She and her husband Noah have three kids who perform in CYT, Tyler (17), Ryan (15), and Olivia (11). Tanya loves all the kids and families of CYT and feels blessed to be a part of it! Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all you ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path-Proverbs 3:5-6 |
Katrina DeRoche - Area Coordinator - North County Inland
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Katrina is North County Inland's new Area Coordinator. Though her family resides in Carmel Valley, her daughter's passion for theater brought her family to the North County Chapter of CYT in 2011... And they love it! Over the past 20 years, along with being a mom, Katrina has worked in both the business and education sectors. She looks forward to serving her NCI families. |
Michelle Whittaker - Area Coordinator - Tri City
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Since the fall of 2003, Michelle Whittaker has had the unique and wonderful opportunity to serve as Area Coordinator to the families and communities in Northern San Diego County. She is blessed and cherishes each and every moment. CYT is an extraordinary organization; and she has witnessed its impact on the lives it touches. She has passion for CYT and the performing arts. Michelle has three of the best kids a mom could ask for, Cailey, Madison and Spencer. Phil 4:8 - Attitude is... Read More |
Rechelle Conde-Nau - CYT@school Director
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Rechelle has been working as the CYT@school Director since 2005. She enjoys using her background in education (she used to teach 5th grade) and her love of theater to help bring performing arts directly to children at their school. Her son, Shaun used to do CYT in SD Central and that’s how she got hooked! Now her 11-year old, Taylor is following in her brother’s footsteps by doing CYT too. |
Michael Pinning - Camp Coordinator
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Michael is a native of San Diego who has been performing and singing since he was 11 and is always looking for ways to get more involved with music. He has been doing theater since high school and Loves everything about. CYT holds a very special place in his heart and he is so thankful for such a wonderful organization. |
Ashley Melton - Camp Coordinator
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Ashley started with C.Y.T. in 1997 and hasn't left since. She has performed in over 30 stage productions, 3 tour groups, and 5 C.C.T. shows. She is currently attending San Diego State University, majoring in Liberal Studies with an emphasis in english in hopes of becoming an elementary school teacher. She is thankful for the opportunity to work for C.Y.T. where her passions of worship, theater, and teaching can collide to glorify God. |
