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AHWATUKEE CHILDREN'S THEATRE INC

PHOENIX, AZ · EIN 10640326 · Form 990 · FY2022 · NTEE A65 · Arts, Culture & Humanities · Small ($100K-$1M) · azact.org
revenue
$246K
expenses
$287K
net assets
$40K
employees
0
volunteers
15
program ratio
90%
mission · from form 990

THE AHWATUKEE CHILDRENS THEATRE ACT PROVIDES LOCAL CHILDREN AND ADULTS EDUCATION, ART APPRECIATION, AND OPPORTUNITIES TO PARTICIPATE IN ALL ASPECTS IN THE PERFORMING ARTS.

profile · synthesized from sources

AHWATUKEE CHILDREN'S THEATRE INC, operating as Arizona Community Theatrical Company (AZ ACT), provides performing arts education and opportunities for children and youth. The organization offers classes, show choirs, and full-scale musical productions to foster confidence, teamwork, and artistic skills. Founded in 2000, AZ ACT serves families primarily in the central and east valley of Phoenix, Arizona.

named programs · 11 · from sources

what they call their work

Acting Fundamentals
A class for 4th-9th graders to learn acting techniques through improv games, monologues, and short scenes, culminating in a one-act show.
All Keyed Up Show Choir
A show choir for K-5th graders focusing on singing, dancing, and performing at local community events and parent showcase nights.
Desert Song Show Choir
A traveling show choir for 5th-12th graders, with opportunities for performances and trips, such as to Disneyworld.
Disney Storytelling
A class for K-5th graders that teaches storytelling through movement, music, props, and dialogue, focusing on character connections and basic song and dance skills.
Full Scale Musical Productions
Opportunities for K through age 19 to participate in full theatrical productions.
Little Mermaid, Jr.
A 60-minute musical production for 5th-12th graders based on Disney's animated film, covering all aspects of stage production from auditions to performance.
Musical Theatre Classes
Classes covering various aspects of musical theatre for K through age 19.
Private Dance Lessons
Individualized instruction in dance.
Private Vocal Lessons
Individualized instruction in vocal performance.
Seussical Kids!
A 30-minute musical adaptation for K-5th graders, focusing on the process of stage production, including auditions, stage direction, vocal performance, and acting techniques.
Zoe Mar Scholarships
Scholarships for students passionate about singing, dancing, and acting, particularly those involved in show choir programs.
activities · 6 groups

what they do

  • Youth & Family Theatrical Productions 6 activities
    • Host performance showcases and studio series
      Produces five performance showcases annually, including a studio series and an adults-only showcase, in addition to mainstage productions, providing regular performance opportunities for students and community members.
    • Host performance showcases and studio series
      Produces five annual showcases per season, including a studio series and an adults-only showcase, providing additional performance opportunities beyond mainstage productions.
    • Produce youth and community theater productions
      Produces full-scale musical theater productions for youth and families, including mainstage shows like "Freaky Friday," "Cinderella (Youth Edition)," and "The Little Mermaid, Jr.," with public performances held over multiple days each season. The organization has produced over 50 shows since 2002 and conducts auditions, technical rehearsals, dress rehearsals, and stage performances at its venue in Ahwatukee.
    • Produce youth and community theater productions
      Produces full-scale musical theater productions for youth and families, including mainstage shows such as "Freaky Friday," "Cinderella" (Youth Edition), and "The Little Mermaid, Jr.," performed publicly over multiple days each season. Since 2002, the organization has produced over 50 shows.
    • Produce youth and community theater productions
      Produces full-scale musical theater productions for youth and families, including mainstage shows like "Freaky Friday," "Cinderella (Youth Edition)," and "The Little Mermaid, Jr.," with public performances typically held over multiple days each season. Since 2002, the organization has produced over 50 shows.
    • Producing theatrical performances
      Produces over 50 full-scale musical and theatrical productions annually, including main stage productions and youth editions, with public performances staged over several days, involving rehearsals, technical work, and dress rehearsals.
  • Youth Performing Arts Camps & Classes 5 activities
    • Deliver performing arts education programs
      Offers a range of educational classes for students in grades K–19, including "Seussical Kids!," "Disney Storytelling," "Acting Fundamentals," and musical theatre training, culminating in performances. Also provides private vocal and dance lessons.
    • Deliver performing arts education programs
      Offers a range of educational classes and programs in acting, show choir, vocal performance, and musical theater for students in grades K–19, including structured courses such as "Seussical Kids!," "Disney Storytelling," and "Acting Fundamentals," each culminating in a performance. Also provides private vocal and dance lessons.
    • Deliver performing arts education programs
      Offers a range of educational classes for students in grades K–19, including "Seussical Kids!," "Disney Storytelling," "Acting Fundamentals," and musical theater training that covers auditions, vocal performance, choreography, and stage direction. Programs culminate in showcase performances and emphasize creative development, confidence-building, and safe learning environments.
    • Offer private instruction in voice and dance
      Provides private lessons in vocal performance and dance for students as part of its broader performing arts curriculum, supporting individual skill development alongside group programs.
    • Providing performing arts education
      Offers annual classes and programs in show choir, acting, and a cappella for youth, including specific classes like "Seussical Kids!", "Disney Storytelling", "Acting Fundamentals", and "The Little Mermaid, Jr.", as well as private vocal and dance lessons, to educate and inspire children and families.
  • Youth Choral Education Programs 4 activities
    • Operate youth show choir programs
      Runs multiple show choir programs, including the Desert Song Show Choir (grades 5–9) and the All Keyed Up Show Choir, with weekly rehearsals from August to May. The programs include community performances, parent showcases, and competitive or award-winning ensembles that have traveled globally, including a planned trip to DisneyWorld in June 2026.
    • Operate youth show choir programs
      Runs multiple show choirs, including the Desert Song Show Choir (grades 5–9) and All Keyed Up Show Choir, with weekly rehearsals from August to May, community performances, and an award-winning record. The program includes national and international travel, including a planned trip to Disney World in June 2026.
    • Operate youth show choir programs
      Runs multiple show choirs, including the Desert Song Show Choir (grades 5–9) and All Keyed Up Show Choir, with weekly rehearsals from August to May, community performances, and an annual trip to DisneyWorld. The program is award-winning and has traveled globally.
    • Operating youth show choirs
      Operates the Desert Song Show Choir for students in grades 5-9, with weekly rehearsals from August to May, and the "All Keyed Up Show Choir" which performs at local community events and parent showcase nights, with some choirs traveling globally.
  • Youth Theater Access & Workforce Support 4 activities
    • Provide scholarships and financial aid for participation
      Offers multiple scholarships to reduce financial barriers, including the Zoe Mar Scholarship, Select Show Choir Scholarship, Christmas Carol Scholarship, and Summer Production Scholarship, which cover tuition or production fees for eligible students.
    • Provide scholarships and financial aid for participation
      Offers multiple scholarships to reduce financial barriers to participation, including the Zoe Mar Scholarship, Select Show Choir Scholarship, Christmas Carol Scholarship, and Summer Production Scholarship, which cover tuition or production fees for eligible students.
    • Provide scholarships and financial aid for participation
      Offers multiple scholarships to reduce financial barriers to participation, including the Zoe Mar Scholarship, Select Show Choir Scholarship, Christmas Carol Scholarship, and Summer Production Scholarship, which cover tuition or production fees for qualifying students.
    • Providing scholarships for performing arts programs
      Awards annual Zoe Mar Scholarships to children in the community, and offers specific scholarships such as the Select Show Choir Scholarship, Christmas Carol Scholarship, and Summer Production Scholarship to cover program fees for individuals with financial need.
  • Educational Student Travel Programs 1 activity
    • Organizing educational trips for show choir members
      Organizes mandatory trips to DisneyWorld for Desert Song Show Choir members, with a planned trip in June 2026.
  • Uncategorized 1 activity
    • Host community and seasonal performances
      Presents five annual showcases per season, including a Christmas-themed production and an adults-only showcase, in addition to seasonal performances and community event appearances by its show choirs and student ensembles.
financials · form 990 · fy2022
revenue
Total revenue$246K
Contributions & grants$17K7%
Program service revenue$218K89%
Investment income$40%
Other revenue$11K
expenses
Total expenses$287K
Program expenses90%
Admin / overhead7%
Fundraising2%
Salaries & benefits$69K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$86K
Cash$66K
Investments$0
Liabilities$46K
Net assets$40K
Liquid reserves2.8 mo
3 years on record · 2020–2022 · YoY revenue +57.2%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2022

who runs it

paid leadership · 2
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
MELISSA SNOW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 10 $54K
SHANNON REAGAN TREASURER 5 $4K
board members · 5
  • CYNTHIA ANDERSON — CFO
  • LIZ O'NEALL — DIRECTOR
  • MATT HARMON — VICE PRESIDENT
  • MEGAN EGAN — SECRETARY
  • MIKE MCDANIEL — CHAIRMAN
relationships · 4

who they work with

  • Ahwatukee Childrens Theatre Partner — Shares social media presence and branding with Ahwatukee Childrens Theatre.
  • New School for the Arts and Academics Partner — Hosted performances of "Freaky Friday" at its venue.
  • New School for the Arts and Academics Partner — Hosted the performance of Freaky Friday.
  • New School for the Arts and Academics (NSAA) Partner — Hosts tech, stage, and dress rehearsals, and performances at their location.