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CHILDSPLAY INC
TEMPE, AZ · EIN 860336473 · Form 990 · FY2021 · NTEE A650 · Arts, Culture & Humanities · Medium ($1M-$10M) · www.childsplayaz.org
revenue
$3.8M
expenses
$3.3M
net assets
$2.1M
employees
156
volunteers
45
program ratio
89%
mission · from form 990

TO CREATE THEATER SO STIKINGLY ORIGINAL IN FORM, CONTENT, OR BOTH THAT IT INSTILLS IN YOUNG PEOPLE AN ENDURING AWE, LOVE, AND RESPECT FOR THE MEDIUM.

profile · synthesized from sources

CHILDSPLAY INC is a professional theater company based in Tempe, Arizona, dedicated to creating theater for young audiences and families. They produce and tour theatrical performances, and offer drama education through camps and classes for children and teens. The organization aims to inspire, educate, and entertain through the performing arts.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2021

what they reported doing

Program narrative the organization filed with the IRS. Ordered by program spending.

  1. #1 primary $572K
    EDUCATION PROGRAMS -CHILDSPLAY IS A LEADER IN EDUCATIONAL ARTS PROGRAMING, HAVING ESTABLISHED A REPUTATION AMONG EDUCATORS FOR TRUSTWORTHY, QUALITY CONTENT THAT PROVIDES CROSS-CURRICULAR VALUE. EDUCATION HAS ALWAYS BEEN KEY TO THE MISSION AND PROGRAMMING OF CHILDSPLAY. WITHIN THE PAST DECADE, SPECIFIC EDUCATION PROGRAMS CONNECTED TO ACADEMIC CURRICULUM HAVE BECOME AN ESSENTIAL ELEMENT OF WHAT THE ORGANIZATION OFFERS THE COMMUNITY. THE ACADEMY PROVIDES THEATRE TRAINING AT OUR CAMPUS, AND THE EDUCATION OUTREACH DEPARTMENT OFFERS THEATRE EXPERIENCES IN THE CLASSROOM. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS INCLUDE DRAMA FRAMES, WHICH WORKS WITH ELEMENTARY TEACHERS TO INTEGRATE DRAMA INTO CURRICULUM, AND EYEPLAY, WHICH WORKS WITH EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATORS TO PAIR DRAMA AND LITERACY. IN 2020, WITH THE ADVENT OF COVID-19, CHILDSPLAY CREATED IMAGINE TOGETHER ONLINE, A PROGRAM OF VIRTUAL OFFERINGS THAT HELPED MEET THE NEEDS OF ARIZONA TEACHERS AND FAMILIES BY PROMOTING LITERACY DEVELOPMENT, SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT, AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY.
named programs · 16 · from sources

what they call their work

A Teenage Survival Guide to the Apocalypse
A summer camp for ages 8-15 focusing on surviving the end of the world.
Adventures in Wonderland
A summer camp for ages 8-14 bringing the story of Wonderland to life with a new twist.
Dear Tom Riddle
A summer camp for ages 8-15 exploring a character who feels like an outsider.
Enter the Mushroom Kingdom
A summer camp for ages 5-7 and 8-12 offering a live-action thrill ride experience.
Hogwarts Summer School
A summer camp for ages 5-7 and 8-12 focused on the world of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Minecraft: Rise of the Block Builders
A summer camp for ages 8-15 based on the Minecraft game.
Pandora Unboxed
A summer camp for ages 8-15 focusing on an unboxing theme.
Pride Rock the Musical
A summer camp for ages 8-15 based on the Hakuna Matata philosophy.
TBA Jr. Musical
A summer camp for ages 8-14 about a little fowl's adventure of self-discovery.
TBA Teen Musical
A summer camp for ages 12-18 focused on a spooky, hilarious Broadway musical.
TBA Video Game Musical!
A summer camp for ages 8-15 where favorite characters must earn coins to continue.
TBA Youth & Teen Musical
A summer camp for ages 8-17 about a rebellion against an unfair principal.
Theatre Camps, Classes, and Programs
Offers drama instruction through camps and classes for children and teens of various age groups, taught by professional theatre artists.
Theatre Productions
Produces and performs theatrical plays and musicals for young audiences and families, including local and national tours of various productions.
Unicorns & Dragons
A summer camp for ages 5-7 and 8-12 featuring both unicorns and dragons.
Witches
A summer camp for ages 8-15 exploring a story of magic, rivalry, and redemption.
activities · 8 groups

what they do

  • School-Based Theatre Arts Integration 10 activities
    • Arts Integration and Literacy Programs
      Implements programs to integrate theatre arts into educational curricula, including drama and literacy programs in collaboration with Arizona State University, theatre arts integration in elementary and middle schools, and the Early Youth Educators at Play (Eye-Play) program in preschool classrooms in the greater Phoenix area.
    • Arts-in-Education Programs
      Delivers in-school performances, field trip performances, education outreach residencies, and professional development for teachers to integrate theatre arts into educational settings.
    • Arts-in-Education Programs
      Provides in-school performances, field trip performances, education outreach residencies, and professional development for teachers to integrate theatre arts into curriculum, including specific programs for preschool and middle school.
    • Arts-in-Education Programs
      Provides in-school performances, field trip performances, education outreach residencies, and professional development for teachers to integrate theatre arts into curriculum.
    • Arts-in-Education Programs
      Provides in-school performances, field trip performances, education outreach residencies, and professional development for teachers to integrate theatre into educational settings.
    • Arts-in-Education Programs
      Delivers in-school performances, field trip performances, education outreach residencies, and professional development for teachers to integrate theatre arts into educational settings.
    • Drama and Literacy Integration Programs
      Implements drama and literacy programs in collaboration with Arizona State University and integrates theatre arts into elementary and middle school curricula in the greater Phoenix area, supported by grants from the U.S. Department of Education and the Helios Foundation.
    • Integrating Theatre Arts in Education through Grants
      Secures and implements grants to integrate theatre arts into various educational settings, including drama and literacy programs in collaboration with universities, theatre arts in elementary schools, and middle school curricula, as well as promoting performing arts demand.
    • Integrating Theatre Arts in Schools
      Implements programs to integrate theatre arts into elementary and middle school curricula, supported by grants from the U.S. Department of Education, including a collaboration with Arizona State University for drama and literacy and a project at Encanto Elementary School.
    • Integration of Theatre Arts in Education
      Secures grants to implement programs that integrate theatre arts into school curricula, including drama and literacy programs in collaboration with Arizona State University, theatre arts in elementary schools, and theatre arts in middle schools.
  • Young & Emerging Playwright Support Programs 6 activities
    • Play Submission and Development
      Accepts play submissions for consideration, including a 10-page dialogue sample and synopsis, for potential production.
    • Young Playwrights Festival
      Hosts an annual Young Playwrights Festival, showcasing scripts written by Childsplay students, directed by YETi members, and performed by the community.
    • Young Playwrights Festival
      Hosts an annual festival showcasing scripts written by Childsplay students, directed by YETi members, and performed by the community.
    • Young Playwrights Festival
      Hosts an annual Young Playwrights Festival to showcase scripts written by Childsplay students, directed by YETi members, and performed by the community.
    • Young Playwrights Festival
      Hosts an annual festival showcasing scripts written by Childsplay students, directed by YETi members, and performed by the community.
    • Young Playwrights Festival
      Hosts an annual Young Playwrights Festival, showcasing scripts written by Childsplay students, directed by YETi members, and performed by the community.
  • Youth Theater Access & Workforce Support 6 activities
    • Teen Internship Program
      Provides a Teen Internship Program for individuals aged 14-18, offering leadership opportunities in classroom settings to assist with programs at Childsplay Academy.
    • Teen Internship Program
      Provides leadership opportunities for individuals aged 14-18 to assist with programs at Childsplay Academy in classroom settings.
    • Teen Internship Program
      Provides leadership opportunities for individuals aged 14-18 to assist with programs in classroom settings at Childsplay Academy.
    • Teen Internship and Leadership Programs
      Provides a Teen Internship Program for individuals aged 14-18, offering leadership opportunities in classroom settings to assist with programs at Childsplay Academy, and hosts a "24 Hour Musical" event for teens to audition, rehearse, and perform a musical within 24 hours.
    • Teen Internship and Leadership Programs
      Provides a Teen Internship Program for individuals aged 14-18, offering leadership opportunities in classroom settings to assist with programs at Childsplay Academy, and hosts a "24 Hour Musical" event where teens audition, rehearse, and perform a musical within 24 hours, as well as a "TBA Teen Musical" program.
    • Teen Internship and Leadership Programs
      Provides a Teen Internship Program for individuals aged 14-18, offering leadership opportunities in classroom settings to assist with programs at Childsplay Academy, and organizes a "24 Hour Musical" event for teens.
  • Youth Performing Arts Camps & Classes 6 activities
    • Theatre Academy Programs
      Offers various theatre programs and workshops for children and teens of different age groups, including "Hogwarts Summer School" (ages 5-12), "Witches" (ages 8-15), "Pandora Unboxed" (ages 8-15), "Adventures in Wonderland" (ages 8-14), "Spring Break: Five SIX Seven Eight" (ages 8-15), "Musical Theatre I: Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo" (ages 4-6), and a "TBA Teen Musical" (ages 12-18).
    • Theatre Academy Programs for Youth
      Offers a variety of theatre programs and workshops for children and teens of different age groups, covering themes such as "Hogwarts Summer School," "Witches," "Pandora Unboxed," "Adventures in Wonderland," "Musical Theatre," and a "24 Hour Musical" event.
    • Theatre Education Programs
      Offers a variety of theatre education programs for children and teens, including in-school performances, field trip performances, education outreach residencies, teacher professional development, and specific theatre programs like "Hogwarts Summer School," "Witches," "Pandora Unboxed," "Adventures in Wonderland," "Spring Break: Five SIX Seven Eight," and "Musical Theatre I: Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo."
    • Youth Theatre Academy and Workshops
      Offers a variety of theatre programs and workshops for children and teens of different age groups, covering acting, musical theatre, and specific themed programs like "Hogwarts Summer School" and "Adventures in Wonderland."
    • Youth Theatre Academy and Workshops
      Offers a variety of theatre programs and workshops for children and teens of different age groups, covering topics such as musical theatre, specific play themes (e.g., "Hogwarts Summer School," "Witches," "Pandora Unboxed"), and intensive performance experiences like a "24 Hour Musical."
    • Youth Theatre Academy and Workshops
      Offers various theatre programs and workshops for children and teens of different age groups, covering topics such as musical theatre, specific play themes, and intensive performance experiences like a 24-hour musical.
  • Youth & Family Theatrical Productions 6 activities
    • Youth Theatre Performances and Tours
      Produces and performs theatre productions for children, teachers, and families, including local performances at the Herberger Theater Center, national tours, and adaptations for virtual, drive-in, and outdoor stages. Past productions include "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer," "The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show," and "Tomás and the Library Lady."
    • Youth Theatre Productions and Performances
      Produces and performs theatre for young audiences, including original works, adaptations, and touring productions, reaching thousands of children, teachers, and families annually. This includes local performances at the Herberger Theater Center and national tours.
    • Youth Theatre Productions and Performances
      Produces and performs theatre for young audiences, including original works, adaptations, and touring productions. This includes local performances at venues like the Herberger Theater Center and national tours.
    • Youth Theatre Productions and Performances
      Produces and performs theatre for young audiences, including original works, adaptations, and touring productions, reaching thousands of children, teachers, and families annually. This includes local performances at venues like the Herberger Theater Center and national tours.
    • Youth Theatre Productions and Performances
      Produces and performs theatre for young audiences, including original works, adaptations, and established plays, with performances held locally, nationally, and through touring productions. This includes specific productions like "Selena Maria Sings," "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer," and "Tomás and the Library Lady."
    • Youth Theatre Productions and Performances
      Produces and performs theatre for young audiences, including original works, adaptations, and touring productions, reaching thousands of children, teachers, and families annually. This includes local performances at venues like the Herberger Theater Center and national tours.
  • Binational Dance & Theater Collectives 4 activities
    • Promoting Performing Arts Demand
      Undertakes projects like The El Puente Project to promote demand for performing arts within the community.
    • Promoting Performing Arts Demand
      Runs The El Puente Project, funded by a grant from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, to promote demand for performing arts.
    • The El Puente Project
      Manages The El Puente Project, funded by a grant from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, to promote demand for performing arts.
    • The El Puente Project
      Manages The El Puente Project to promote demand for performing arts, supported by a grant from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation.
  • Preschool and Kindergarten Readiness Programs 2 activities
    • Early Youth Educators at Play (Eye-Play) Program
      Implements the Eye-Play program in preschool classrooms in the greater Phoenix area to promote early childhood education through play.
    • Early Youth Educators at Play (Eye-Play) Program
      Implements the Eye-Play program in preschool classrooms in the greater Phoenix area to promote early childhood education through play, supported by a grant from the Helios Foundation.
  • Uncategorized 13 activities
    • Individual Coaching with Theatre Professionals
      Offers one-on-one coaching sessions with theatre professionals for individuals aged 9 and older, available in-person or online.
    • Individual Theatre Coaching
      Offers one-on-one coaching with theatre professionals, available in-person or online, for individuals aged 9 and older.
    • Individual Theatre Coaching
      Offers one-on-one coaching sessions with theatre professionals for individuals aged 9 and older, available both in-person and online.
    • Individual Theatre Coaching
      Offers one-on-one coaching sessions with theatre professionals for individuals aged 9 and older, available both in-person and online.
    • One-on-One Coaching with Theatre Professionals
      Offers personalized coaching sessions with theatre professionals for individuals aged 9 and older, available both in-person and online.
    • Teen Ensemble Theatre Program (YETi)
      Operates YETi (Youth Ensemble Theatre Inc), a theatre production ensemble for high school students, founded in 2015, which facilitates students in selecting, designing, marketing, casting, and performing theatre productions twice a year, including specific plays like "She Kills Monsters," "Ghost Bike," and "Romeo & Juliet."
    • Volunteer Support Program
      Operates the Imagination and Wonder League (IML), a volunteer group that supports artistic and educational programs by hosting events, promoting attendance, feeding artists and crew, and greeting guests.
    • Volunteer Support for Programs
      Operates the Imagination and Wonder League (IML), a volunteer group that supports artistic and educational programs by hosting events, promoting attendance, feeding artists and crew, and greeting guests.
    • Youth Ensemble Theatre Inc (YETi)
      Operates a theatre production ensemble for high school students (YETi) that facilitates students in selecting, designing, marketing, casting, and performing theatre productions twice a year, including specific plays like "Romeo & Juliet" and "Ghost Bike."
    • Youth Ensemble Theatre Inc (YETi)
      Operates a theatre production ensemble for high school students (YETi) where members select, design, market, cast, and perform theatre productions twice a year, including specific plays like "Ghost Bike" and "Romeo & Juliet."
    • Youth Ensemble Theatre Inc (YETi)
      Operates a theatre production ensemble for high school students (YETi) where members select, design, market, cast, and perform theatre productions twice a year, including specific plays like "Ghost Bike" and "Romeo & Juliet."
    • Youth Ensemble Theatre Inc (YETi)
      Operates a theatre production ensemble for high school students (YETi) that involves selecting, designing, marketing, casting, and performing theatre productions twice a year, including specific plays like "She Kills Monsters," "Ghost Bike," and "Romeo & Juliet."
    • Youth Ensemble Theatre Inc (YETi)
      Operates a theatre production ensemble for high school students (YETi) that facilitates students in selecting, designing, marketing, casting, and performing theatre productions twice a year, including plays like "She Kills Monsters," "Ghost Bike," and "Romeo & Juliet."
financials · form 990 · fy2021
revenue
Total revenue$3.82M
Contributions & grants$2.51M66%
Program service revenue$1.33M35%
Investment income$-5K-0%
Other revenue$-8K
expenses
Total expenses$3.30M
Program expenses89%
Admin / overhead3%
Fundraising8%
Salaries & benefits$1.96M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$2.40M
Cash$1.96M
Investments$0
Liabilities$266K
Net assets$2.13M
Liquid reserves7.1 mo
3 years on record · 2019–2021 · YoY revenue +59.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2021

who runs it

paid leadership · 3
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
STEVE MARTIN MANAGING DIRECTOR 35 $125K
DWAYNE HARTFORD ARTISTIC DIRECTOR 35 $120K
DAVID SAAR ARTISTIC DIRECTOR EMERITUS 7 $8K
board members · 22
  • ALISON PULASKI CARTER — VICE PRESIDENT
  • ALYZA RATHOR — DIRECTOR
  • CHERYL MANDALA — DIRECTOR
  • DAVID BRAY — DIRECTOR
  • DAVID JAZO — DIRECTOR
  • DAVID KEST — DIRECTOR
  • GAYLORD GAGNON — DIRECTOR
  • HEATHER STRATZ — DIRECTOR
  • JENNIFER VAN KIRK — DIRECTOR
  • JOANIE FLATT — DIRECTOR
  • JOHN V BACK — DIRECTOR
  • LINDA REIDENBACH — DIRECTOR
  • LISA COULTER — PAST PRESIDENT
  • LISA HOBSON — DIRECTOR
  • MATTHEW BENJAMIN — PRESIDENT
  • MILES PONDELIK — DIRECTOR
  • NELSON ROSS — DIRECTOR
  • REVAN MCKINNON — DIRECTOR
  • ROSELINE CRISTANELLI — DIRECTOR
  • SHARAD DESAI — SECRETARY
  • SHIRLEY HAWLEY — TREASURER
  • SUSAN GOLDSMITH — DIRECTOR
relationships · 18

who they work with

  • Arizona Commission on the Arts Funder — Lifetime and annual member of the Society for Imagination and Wonder, contributing $500,000 and above.
  • Arizona State University Partner — Collaborated on a drama and literacy program supported by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education.
  • City of Tempe Funder — Lifetime and annual member of the Society for Imagination and Wonder, contributing $1,000,000 and above.
  • Doris Duke Charitable Foundation Funder — Provided funding for projects aimed at promoting performing arts.
  • Encanto Elementary School Partner — Partnered to implement a model for integrating theatre arts across different language streams.
  • Flinn Foundation Funder — Lifetime and annual member of the Society for Imagination and Wonder, contributing $500,000 and above.
  • Freeport McMoRan Partner — Recipient of the Corporate Excellence Award at the 2026 World of Wonder Gala.
  • Helios Foundation Funder — Provided funding for the Early Youth Educators at Play (Eye-Play) program.
  • Herberger Theater Center Partner — Childsplay holds its shows at the Herberger Theater Center.
  • Herberger Theater Center Partner — Collaborates with the Herberger Theater Center to provide ushering opportunities for volunteers.
  • Shubert Foundation Funder — Lifetime and annual member of the Society for Imagination and Wonder, contributing $500,000 and above.
  • Sybil B. Harrington Trust Funder — Lifetime member of the Society for Imagination and Wonder, contributing $2,000,000 and above.
  • Target Funder — Lifetime member of the Society for Imagination and Wonder, contributing $500,000 and above.
  • The Kemper and Ethel Marley Foundation Funder — Lifetime member of the Society for Imagination and Wonder, contributing $500,000 and above.
  • The Steele Foundation Funder — Lifetime member of the Society for Imagination and Wonder, contributing $500,000 and above.
  • U.S. Department of Education Funder — Awarded multiple grants to support various educational and arts integration programs.
  • US Department of Education Funder — Lifetime member of the Society for Imagination and Wonder, contributing $1,000,000 and above.
  • Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust Funder — Lifetime and annual member of the Society for Imagination and Wonder, contributing $2,000,000 and above.