LINDA McGINNESS - Artistic Director
Linda received her BA in Elementary Education at Wichita State University. She studied Theater and Voice at Kansas University, Friends University and Wichita State and has taught vocal music for 8 years. She is a composer and lyricist and has enjoyed a career as a vocal solo artist nationally in both secular and Christian venues. Linda has performed professionally in music theater as well as directed, choreographed, and scripted over 25 musicals for regional schools and churches. Circumstances and time created a new chapter and Linda was encouraged to investigate the possibility of bringing Christian Youth Theater to Wichita. As she visited CYT in other cities, she realized the impact for Jesus it offers communities and was captured by the motto, “Developing Character...one stage at a time.” A vision caster at heart, Linda has been at the helm of launching CYT in Wichita; watching God raise His gifted people in our local community affirms the reality, “This is His.” Linda and her husband, Tim, attend First Evangelical Free Church and have 4 children and 6 grandchildren.

KIM KLEIN - Director
Kim fell in love with acting in the 5th grade when she played Becky Thatcher in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn in her English class. Locally, Kim performed in various roles with Kechi Playhouse and Shakespeare in the Park. Most of her experience has come with acting, writing, and directing at her church, First Mennonite Brethren where she served as the Drama Director for 17 years. She continues to speak and/or perform for women‟s events through her church. Most recently, Kim Directed the Junior High production of Anne of Green Gables and was Co- Director for Seven Brides for Seven Brothers both at Sunrise Christian Academy. Kim has been married for 19 years to Tom, and they have 5 children ages 2 to 18 years old. Tom had no idea he loved to act until his wife „discovered‟ him; “he is quite good”, she declares. Kim joined the CYT team last fall teaching IMPROV to the high school students. Balancing sports and drama, directing has been one way her family has both stayed involved with and enjoyed theater.

ERIN CONRY - Music Director
From the windy city of Chicago, Erin brings experience to CYT Wichita as a former CYT student and Instructor. Growing up the eldest child in a family of 6, Erin led her siblings into the world of CYT. She performed in numerous shows, including Narnia! During her college years, she sang in both the Concert Choral and Chamber Singers choirs and had the opportunity to be a part of the musical, Songs for a New World, her senior year. A recent grad from Benedictine College in Atchison, Erin earned her BA in Music Ed and currently teaches elementary music at both All Saints School (Wichita) and St. James Catholic School (Augusta). Erin served as Co- Music Director of Robin Hood: The Musical, CYT Wichita‟s first production, and taught the Core Music high school class, All About Hairspray last winter! Erin enjoys working on her scrapbooks, learning new music, or reading when she isn‟t hanging out with her favorite CYT kids.

STACY FARTHING - Choreographer
Another Wichita native, Stacy grew up enjoying various opportunities involved with the arts. As a youth, she performed with Christ‟s Character and King‟s Players at West Evangelical Free Church. Through Awesome Acting Productions, Stacy performed in Peter Pan, Sound of Music and Music Man. She held multiple roles in Beauty and the Beast and was the “Blue Fairy” in Sleeping Beauty at Crown Uptown. With the Wichita Grand Opera, Stacy performed in the chorus of Magic Flute. Moving into the teacher role, Stacy has taught acting for 5 years with Christ‟s Characters and for the last 8 years as the Head Cheerleading Coach for WAH Athletic Association. Pursuing her love for acting and youth, Stacy has joined our debut team in the fall as both an Instructor and Show Intern for Robin Hood, and Backstage Manager for You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown. Stacy instructed CYT Dance Core classes of High School Musical Steps and Newsies Can’t Stop the Beat which were highlights of our winter showcase.

KATIE GARNES - Production Manager
Performing in numerous High School drama productions and show choirs in Columbia, Missouri, Katie grew up on the stage with a supportive mother demonstrated by her countless hours creating costumes! Thanks, Mom! Katie‟s college singing career debuted at Butler County College with the Headliners Show Choir and continues today with Concert Choral at Wichita State University where she is pursuing a Bachelors of Music Education. Along with juggling her directing responsibilities here at CYT, Katie is a dance teacher at a local dance studio, a member of Delta Gamma Sorority and a student worker in the Admissions Department at WSU (Go Shockers!) Katie loves to dance, and has now tap danced in Missouri, Kansas, New York and California and is soon to take on Texas! Kate served as Co-Music Director of CYT Wichita‟s debut production of Robin Hood: The Musical. After the run of Robin Hood, she performed in New York with some other professional tappers. Kate is thankful to God and CYT for blessing her with such an incredible opportunity to serve on the CYT team.