History
CITA HISTORY
1987____________________________________________________________________
- “CITA was organized in 1987 by a group of Christians meeting at Malone College in Canton, OH for a summer drama conference. This group was concerned that an ongoing network of conference and printed materials be available to Christian theatre artists who they perceived to be laboring in relative isolation from one another. Out of these concerns grew the CITA mission statement” (CITA 1994 Brochure)
1989____________________________________________________________________
- CITA was incorporated as a non-profit networking organization
1992____________________________________________________________________
- First annual National Networking Conference of Christians In Theatre Arts
(Christian Drama, Spring 1993, Volume XVI, No.1)
- “Since its inception two years ago as a non-profit, arts networking organization, CITA has expanded its membership and service.”
(CITA 1992 brochure)
- 150 people attended the conference
1993____________________________________________________________________
- First annual CITA Auditions and Interviews
- First annual Church Drama Festival
- 275 people attended the conference
1994____________________________________________________________________
- 300 people attended the National Conference
- The first annual Church Drama Festival and the first annual CITA Auditions and Interviews at the conference
1995____________________________________________________________________
- 2nd International Conference in England for a tour of York to see the York Mysteries, followed by a visit to Stratford and then to England for a two day international networking conference.
- 450 people attended the conference
1996____________________________________________________________________
- CITA coordinated a study for Baiba Seleck, a Latvian student. Her study tour took her to the A.D. Players, Lamb’s Players, Taproot Theatre, Seattle Pacific Theatre, Pacific Theatre in Vancouver, Trinity Western University, Chemainus Theatre, Willow Creek Church and Master Arts Co., and Saltworks Theatre.
- CITA is able to fund 10 scholarships, and two more through donations from members.
- 475 people attended the conference
1997____________________________________________________________________
- 1997 CITA Distinguished Service Award Recipient: Dr. Gillette Elvgren
- CITA is 1000 members strong
- Over two dozen successful regional conferences have been held across the US and Canada
- 450 people attended the conference
1998____________________________________________________________________
- 1200 members strong
- Over three dozen successful regional conferences have been held across the US and Canada
1999____________________________________________________________________
- The Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, based at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, MI, has given CITA a $15,000 grant for a one-year study project on the role of theatre in worship settings. The grant was awarded under the Worship Renewal Grants Program which is funded by the Lilly Endowment.
- Prayer Network set to be established
- New Feature at conference: Bible Study centered on the timely theme, The Artist’s Journey. Harvey Johnson conducted workshop.
2000____________________________________________________________________
- A new dance component will be added to the upcoming conference
- An International CITA workshop will be held in the Primero Iglesia Bautista, Matanzas, Cuba.
- The Central Valley held their first region conference and welcomed 61 conferees.
2005____________________________________________________________________
- 15th Anniversary Bash
CITA is invited to join Greenville, SC Kroc Community Center.
2006___________________________________________________________________