Christians in Theatre Arts (CITA)
...established a Seattle chapter last night, with much enthusiasm from a broad range of people. CITA's mission is to "to impact the world and further the Kingdom of God by encouraging and equipping Christians in the theatre arts." Apparently Seattle has been one of the under-served parts of the country by this national organization that's been in existence since 1989. I've been involved with CITA at various times over the past 10 years or so, and it has been a very helpful organization in terms of networking, leading me to Steve Pederson and my good friends at Willow, Ted and Lee, as well as many other great people around the country. Headed by newly elected director Cara Walter, there seems to lots of energy for this work. And though I haven't got much energy left these days, I'll pray and hope good things come.
The chief difficulty in CITA is it's very strength: it is one of the few theatre organizations that seeks to freely mix amateurs (in the best sense of the word), educators, and professionals in a forum of training, discussion, and encouragement. Sounds wonderful, but for those of you who know a mix of those kinds of people, you know that each arena of work (schools, churches, community theatres, professional theatres, and the broader world of film and television) usually carries a particular slant on the work itself. Drama ministries, professional theatres, and various kinds of educational outlets all have requirements and goals that can wildly vary, and in the end, there's lots of talk about "excellence for the Lord" with little discussion of what theatre actually is.
I always say this: Christians working in theatre need to learn to love theatre as such, not for what it does for a particular agenda we're pushing, but for the unique way in which it constructs an experience that might peel back something of who we are as human beings. It's an old battle, these conversations, and I know far less now than I used to.
All that said, for many people in the area, I have no doubt CITA will be an important and viable organization. The next event is Monday night, Nov. 8, 7:00 p.m. at the Northwest Church at 15555 15th Ave. NE in Shoreline.
11:48:18 PM 
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