BY TIANA GOEGEBUER

Corona – On Wed., July 16, one of the items on the City of Corona’s City Council agenda involved deciding the future of the old Council office building. This entailed voting on whether or not to allow Christian Arts and Theatre of Corona, a local children’s theatre program, to become the building’s new tenants.

According to their website, “Christian Arts & Theatre of Corona (CAT) is an after-school theater and visual arts educational program for students ages 6 to 18. CAT is committed to building up kids through excellence in the arts as well as modeling for them the highest morals through traditional Biblical values.” CAT has been a big part of Corona for 15 years. They offer after-school classes in singing, dancing, acting, choreography, theatrical make-up, and much more. Students at CAT also have the opportunity to audition for a musical production.

The group has moved seven times to different locations throughout Corona since its beginning, and has spent the past two and a half years offering classes in the former school of Crossroads Christian Church. While the location of the classes and rehearsals has repeatedly changed, one thing has remained constant for a very long time: the Corona Civic Center Theater has continued to house their musical performances.

CAT’s artistic director, Cindy Monroe, was informed of the possibility of a new home for the theater group.   This “home” was located only a few steps from the Civic Center Theater that the CAT families know and love. “It’s such a beautiful place! Our kids and families will love this new home,” said Monroe.

On July 16, the council chambers were filled with many of the CAT families who had come to show their support for the organization. On the Consent Calendar, the 9th item stated: “City Council directs the City Attorney to prepare a lease agreement between the City and Christian Arts Theater, using the City’s standard Historic Civic Center Lease Agreement…” The agreement would be for a five year lease, plus a five year extension.

The council members then took the time to share a few words about CAT with those present and talked about the positive impact the organization’s relocation would have on the community, specifically in downtown Corona. Council Member Stan Skipworth enthusiastically stated, “This is an opportunity to keep our community alive.”

Finally, it came time for the Council to vote. The item was passed 5-0 in favor of allowing CAT to begin leasing the building. The news brought enthusiastic cheers and applause from the CAT families in the audience, and Mayor Karen Spiegel remarked good-naturedly, “You guys can stay the entire meeting, and during everything we do now. Make sure that the applause is that good; we don’t get that very often.”