activities · 29
what they do
direct service · 24
- Arts-in-Education Programs Youth & Adult Theater Education ProgramsProvides in-school performances, field trip performances, education outreach residencies, and professional development for teachers to integrate theatre arts into curriculum.
- Arts-in-Education Programs Youth & Adult Theater Education ProgramsDelivers 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 Youth & Adult Theater Education ProgramsProvides 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.
- Individual Theatre Coaching Youth & Adult Theater Education ProgramsOffers one-on-one coaching sessions with theatre professionals for individuals aged 9 and older, available both in-person and online.
- Individual Theatre Coaching Youth & Adult Theater Education ProgramsOffers one-on-one coaching with theatre professionals, available in-person or online, for individuals aged 9 and older.
- One-on-One Coaching with Theatre Professionals Youth & Adult Theater Education ProgramsOffers personalized coaching sessions with theatre professionals for individuals aged 9 and older, available both in-person and online.
- Play Submission and Development Original Play Development & ShowcaseAccepts play submissions for consideration, including a 10-page dialogue sample and synopsis, for potential production.
- Teen Internship Program Youth Internship and Junior Staff ProgramsProvides a Teen Internship Program for individuals aged 14-18, offering leadership opportunities in classroom settings to assist with programs at Childsplay Academy.
- Teen Internship and Leadership Programs Youth Internship and Junior Staff ProgramsProvides 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.
- Teen Internship and Leadership Programs Youth Internship and Junior Staff ProgramsProvides 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.
- Theatre Academy Programs Youth & Adult Theater Education ProgramsOffers 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).
- Volunteer Support Program Volunteer-Based Theater SupportOperates 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 Volunteer-Based Theater SupportOperates 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.
- Young Playwrights Festival Original Play Development & ShowcaseHosts an annual festival showcasing scripts written by Childsplay students, directed by YETi members, and performed by the community.
- Young Playwrights Festival Original Play Development & ShowcaseHosts an annual Young Playwrights Festival to showcase scripts written by Childsplay students, directed by YETi members, and performed by the community.
- Young Playwrights Festival Original Play Development & ShowcaseHosts an annual Young Playwrights Festival, showcasing scripts written by Childsplay students, directed by YETi members, and performed by the community.
- Youth Ensemble Theatre Inc (YETi) Youth & Family Theatrical ProductionsOperates 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) Youth & Family Theatrical ProductionsOperates 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) Youth & Family Theatrical ProductionsOperates 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."
- Youth Theatre Academy and Workshops Youth & Adult Theater Education ProgramsOffers 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 Youth & Adult Theater Education ProgramsOffers 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 Performances and Tours Youth & Family Theatrical ProductionsProduces 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 Youth & Family Theatrical ProductionsProduces 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 Youth & Family Theatrical ProductionsProduces 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.
capacity building · 5
- Drama and Literacy Integration Programs Youth & Adult Theater Education ProgramsImplements 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.
- Early Youth Educators at Play (Eye-Play) Program Child Care & Early Learning ProgramsImplements 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.
- Integrating Theatre Arts in Schools Youth & Adult Theater Education ProgramsImplements 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.
- Promoting Performing Arts Demand Artist Support ProgramsRuns The El Puente Project, funded by a grant from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, to promote demand for performing arts.
- The El Puente Project Artist Support ProgramsManages The El Puente Project, funded by a grant from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, to promote demand for performing arts.
strategies · 10
how they think
Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any to see the full field of orgs running the same approach.
- Cultivating an inclusive and diverse environment equity_diversity_inclusionThe organization is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion by creating a safe and welcoming space for artists and community members from all backgrounds to engage with and create art.
- Developing original theatre works for young audiences original_play_developmentThe organization creates new theatre pieces specifically for young audiences, focusing on contemporary themes and experiences relevant to growing up, and employs a structured submission process for new plays.
- Developing original, relevant theatre for young audiences original_play_developmentThe organization creates new theatrical works specifically designed for young audiences, focusing on themes and experiences that resonate with contemporary childhood.
- Engaging professional artists for experiential learning experiential_learningThe organization employs professional theatre artists to deliver engaging, participatory, and dynamic drama instruction, utilizing experiential learning techniques to foster literacy and artistic development in educational settings.
- Fostering an inclusive and diverse artistic community equity_diversity_inclusionThe organization is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion by creating a safe and welcoming environment for underrepresented artists and individuals from diverse backgrounds to engage in art and community building.
- Fostering experiential and participatory arts education experiential_learningThe organization employs professional theatre artists to deliver engaging, hands-on, and dynamic drama instruction, utilizing experiential learning techniques to enhance educational outcomes, including literacy.
- Leveraging volunteer engagement volunteer_engagementThe organization actively involves volunteers, valuing their contributions, experience, and knowledge to mutually benefit both the volunteers and the organization's mission.
- Leveraging volunteer engagement volunteer_engagementThe organization meaningfully integrates volunteers, valuing their assistance, experience, and knowledge to mutually benefit both the volunteers and the organization's mission.
- Providing equitable access to arts education equitable_accessThe organization ensures that children and families, particularly those in need or living below the poverty line, have access to high-quality theatre experiences and education through free tickets, in-school programs, and scholarships.
- Providing equitable access to theatre arts education and experiences equitable_accessThe organization actively works to remove financial and geographical barriers to participation in theatre arts by offering free tickets, scholarships, and bringing theatre directly into schools, particularly for underserved communities.
named programs · 16
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.
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.