Regional Directors
North Region — Pris McDonald
Pris McDonald is the Executive/Artistic Director of Master Arts Theatre, a community theatre located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Master Arts provides performance and educational opportunities to both youth and adults, and brings wholesome entertainment and challenging drama to the entire family. Pris taught on the college level for many years, and then helped organize this company which is dedicated to quality drama consistent with a Christian worldview. Master Arts now operates a four-show production season, touring groups, mime, dance and drama classes, and an active summer program for youth.
Especially interested in using the dramatic arts and readers’ theater in the church, Pris has been a leader in CITA’s Church Drama Festivals and Intensives for numerous years. She often teaches at conferences and is a regular clinician at the national Lillenas Drama Conference each February.
“Having been involved with CITA since its inception,” Pris explains, “I have seen the organization flourish and struggle. But the mission has never wavered. I am excited about the new structure CITA is instigating. It means facilitating and energizing the core of the organization-networking.”
Pris continues, “Not long ago I received a note after a CITA conference. An attendee wrote,”
Before coming (which I almost didn’t) I had decided that I had to make some choices in my life, to focus my energies and time….. I work a number of different jobs and projects and fly from one thing to another…. Even though we met by chance in the dining hall, there was something in your response to me, the attention you brought to my telling, that cleared away some of my mental clutter…. (I had never been) to any of the conferences before. Glad I did. I came away inspired.
“No reward is greater to me than to see a fellow believer-artist encouraged and enriched because we’re here. Then, too, the friendships and partnerships I personally have formed with so many diverse artists have given me invaluable support and challenge. That’s why I’m here. That’s why I’m anxious to work toward extending the networking-banding theater artists together under the Lordship of Christ.”
“The North Region is not only vast, but contains huge population centers. What an opportunity we have to make a difference in the respective local communities by mobilizing Christians in the theater arts.”
Email Pris McDonald: pris@cita.org
South Region — Steve Broyles
Steve Broyles is currently Director of Middle School Drama for Wesleyan School in Norcross, GA. In addition to directing two shows each year, he teaches music and drama to grades 5-8. Steve is also a member of Atlanta based Art Within-a Christian arts and media organization that develops scripts for stage and screen. He graduated from Regent University in 2001 with an MFA in Script and Screenwriting where he received the Outstanding Graduate Student Award of Excellence. Prior to entering graduate school, Steve managed the Foothills Playhouse in Easley, South Carolina and directed large scale musicals for Covenant Presbyterian Church in Easley. Steve, his wife, Lisa and their son, Taylor, live in Johns Creek, Georgia.
Steve has designed sets for everything from church auditoriums to black box to large scale proscenium stages. He is a theatre lighting and audio expert, designing lights and sound for over 40 productions. Steve has also consulted on theatre construction projects. He has toured the country with drama and music groups and directed high school and college drama teams. Steve has acted and directed in community, church, school, college and graduate school theatres. He was a commissioned writer for Art Within in 2003 and is a graduate of the MTI Broadway Classroom in New York and a member of the Thespians Society and SETC.
“I believe in the vision of CITA to equip Christians with practical tools in the dramatic arts and to create networks for artists across our region and the country. The south region is overflowing with talented artist, working in their local communities to glorify God in the dramatic arts. We need to foster a greater awareness of each other’s work and a chance to learn and grow from each other’s expertise.”
Email Steve Broyles: citasouth@comcast.net
Central Region — Kurt Priebe
Kurt teaches Drama & Media Studies at Friends University in Wichita, KS. In addition, he
writes for, and directs the university drama ministry team, “ACTS of FAITH”.
Kurt has been an active member of CITA since 1996, and has presented workshops on
Theatrical Design, Technical Theatre, Pantomime, Arts Theology & Digital Moviemaking
at both the Regional & National level. He has also served as a church drama team leader,
worship team member, and writes original sketches for Sunday Morning Worship for local
& regional churches. He has most recently completed a full-length stage play and screenplay
adapation of a newly-released Christian novel.
“It is a blessing to share friendship & fellowship among brothers, sisters, and associates
throughout CITA. The Lord has used this vital & unique organization in several special ways.
I am continually encouraged by the diversity of the Lord’s work in the arts today!”
Email Kurt Priebe: priebek@friends.edu
West Region — Melanie David
Melanie David has enjoyed over 28 years of extensive community and professional theatre experience throughout Arizona as a director, actor, radio voice-over talent, vocalist, visual artist, and has recently received her teaching certification in support of secondary theatre arts and journalism.
Although she received her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Advertising/Journalism from Northern Arizona University in l978, she was very active in the university’s theatre and music departments, and was awarded the prestigious Helen Hayes Award for acting excellence. Ms. David also was active in the professional theatre fraternity, Alpha Psi Omega and Arizona Playmakers.
Ms. David is founder and Artistic Director of Waypoint Theatre Company, a 501 (c) (3) faith-based live theatre organization serving Southern Arizona. She has created and continues to lead drama ministry workshops, and has written, directed, and performed both on stage and as voice-over talent throughout Arizona. She and her family reside in northwest Tucson.
She continues to be active in the national networking organization Christians In Theatre Arts (CITA) since l990, serving as Area Director for Arizona and New Mexico, and most recently was appointed Western Regional Director.
Email Melanie David: davidactsofjoy@earthlink.net