It was the first non-professional company in the country to stage the musicals Aida and Miss Saigon, and the first to produce a number of others on the West Coast including A Christmas Carol, Billy Elliot, Sister Act and American Idiot.

The company has earned 12 grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and, as of 2024 has put on over 400 musical theater productions.

CMT’s origins trace to a musical touring troupe called the Entr'actes, founded in 1968 by 17 year old John P. Healy, Jr.[5] Healy, a musical performer and writer who aspired to build easy opportunities for young people to perform onstage, led a group of 15 young people who would perform scenes from various musicals at local churches, rest homes and hospitals.

[9] While working with CMT he received the Lin Wright Special Recognition Award by the American Alliance for Theatre and Education.

In 2021 the organization moved its headquarters to a new 25,000 sq ft building to be used for rehearsals, classes, prop/costume storage and office space.

In 2024 it was announced that Kevin Hauge would retire from his position as artistic director at the close of CMT's 57th season in 2025.

CMT leadership after 2001 included Jennifer Sandretto Hull from 2001 – 2006,[17] Michael Miller from 2012 – 2016[18] and Dana Zell from 2016 until today.

Since 1973, CMT's performances have almost exclusively occurred at the Montgomery Theater, which shares a building with the San Jose Civic.

[20] The musical productions CMT puts on every year are separated into four different named categories, based on different age ranges.

A website called ConvoNation, which was a communications platform for sick and disabled children created by Apple’s Worldwide Disabilities Solutions Group,[24] collaborated with CMT to create TADA's first project, the original musical "Pulse: The Rhythm of Life."

[25][26] Other projects developed under the TADA program included Our Tree: The Family Chronicles, released in May 2000, 2101 in 2001, A Little Princess in 2002 and Persephone in 2003.

[27] CMT offers classes for recital, dance, acting, improv, vocal and auditions for ages ranging from 4 to 20.

The following notable artists have taught or presented at CMT: Thomas Schumacher, theatrical producer, Anthony Rapp, broadway & film actor, Jason Robert Brown and Drew Gasparini, broadway composers and Jacob Brent, actor and choreographer.

CMT alumni have also returned in a teaching capacity, including Alex Brightman, Aaron Albano and Matt Hill, among others.

[28] From its beginnings continuing up until 1999 CMT had one or more tour groups, in which members would perform at various community events as well as for private parties, organizations, hospitals and schools.

[34] While not relating to CMT's own shows, the organization also hosts the Rita Moreno Awards (Rita Moreno California High School Musical Honors) – A competition in May co-hosted with Broadway San Jose to recognize outstanding achievements in high school musicals.