Gary Beytin: It's a family affair for acting chiropractor

Gary Beytin (Photo: Gary Beytin)

Gary Beytin, a practicing chiropractor, came late to acting but he’s making up for lost time. A CMT parent since 1997, he’s acted in alumni and marquee shows since Peter Pan (2000). In addition to CMT Gary appeared in the 2009 indie film Cheer Up Sam which was submitted to the Sundance Film Festival. He also was invited to appear in two short films.

His first CMT role was Mr. Darling in Peter Pan. The Beytin family got into the act in Annie (2001) with Gary as Daddy Warbucks and his two daughters as orphans. He credits CMT with “instilling confidence in them that has been everlasting.”

His wife Cindy, also a chiropractor, has been involved with CMT as the president of the parents auxiliary for seven years and working backstage. Together, she and Gary own Almaden Chiropractic Center in San Jose.

Still, Gary makes time for acting, recently appearing as Fagin (his favorite role) in CMT’s Oliver! (2009). “Acting has provided a way to escape to another world, express myself and be surrounded by great talent and friends,” he said.

Doug Santana: Archbishop Mitty drama teacher debuts as back end of cow

Doug Santana (Photo: Doug Santana)

What do you do when a jailhouse collapses during a performance, leaving the prisoners in the open minus their bars? If you’re a CMT performer, you improvise. When 9-year-old Doug Santana heard the unscripted yell “jailbreak” in Anything Goes (1985)he rushed onstage, picked up the cell and held it until the scene ended.

Doug has many stories of his CMT years that began as the back end of a cow in Jack and the Beanstalk in 1981. He went on to direct 10 shows, most recently Into the Woods in 2008 and he continues to perform in Marquee shows.

“My fondest CMT memories are working with amazing young people as a director and seeing them grow as people and performers,” said the Archbishop Mitty High School drama teacher and performing arts assistant director. “Whether watching them in Broadway shows or pursuing other careers, they’ve all had a profound impact on my life."

David Michael Maurer: CMT friends help editor finish award-winning film

David Michael Maurer is a busy film and television editor (Photo: David Michael Maurer)

In 2007, film editor David Michael Maurer was desperate. He was in Holdenville, Oklahoma (population 1,500), working on the independent project Four Sheets to the Wind and he needed help. He called fellow editor and CMT alum Daniel Korb who flew in from Los Angeles to help finish the film. It won an award at that year’s Sundance Film Festival.

“It was an amazing and generous gift,” he recalls, “that came from years of friendship that started during my first show at CMT.”

David was 14 and the show was Peter Pan. The performers he met there and in the next seven years remain valued friends and colleagues. “CMT has always been genuine and supportive of each other. You don’t often get to work with your closest friends but I’ve been fortunate to find lifelong ties.”

Twice nominated for an Emmy (“The Apprentice”), David has edited episodes of “American Idol” and “Oprah” and in 2009 edited a series and three pilots.

“My job challenges me with helping professional actors look their best and listening to the narrative of a project. Performing at CMT laid the foundation for my future,” said David.

Dan Jinks: Oscar-winning producer has Bay Area roots

Dan Jinks (Photo: Dan Jinks)

Dan Jinks, Oscar-winning producer, was in only one CMT show but he still remembers us and we definitely remember him. How could we not?

Dan and his production partner Bruce Cohen won an Oscar and a Golden Globe nomination for American Beauty and an Oscar nomination for Milk in 2008. Their television show “Pushing Daisies” won eight Emmys.

Dan, 46, was Tommy in The Music Man (1980) directed by CMT founder John P. Healy. As a Los Gatos High School student, he also appeared with other local theaters including San Jose Civic Light Opera, Saratoga Drama Group and Los Gatos-Saratoga Community Players.

Dan says “one of the great things about going to high school in the San Jose area was the terrific variety of performing opportunities. It was a great experience to perform at places like CMT, where I was able to meet kids my age from so many different schools. We were all brought together by a mutual love of performing.”

Carter Skeath: King World exec once went bald for CMT

Carter Skeath (Photo: Carter Skeath)

One of the youngest executives at Paramount/King World, Carter Skeath says his job interview went well, “100 % due to the confidence gained from performing at CMT.” Carter, 26, sells “Oprah,” “Wheel of Fortune” and “Dr. Phil” to Fox, CBS and other major media.

Carter was CMT’s Tom Sawyer at age 8 but then left the theater to play sports. Eight years later he returned, hoping to be cast as boyish Peter Pan but at 6 feet, was too tall. Being cast as Captain Hook instead led to four years of non-stop performing, including his favorite role as Chris in Miss Saigon.

His favorite CMT memory? As a teen-ager, he shaved his head for the role of Daddy Warbucks three days before opening night thanks to friendly pressure from Gary Beytin who played Warbucks in the other cast.

“I learned a lot at CMT. It teaches you more than just singing and acting,” said Carter. “You learn how to handle yourself in all kinds of situations.”