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Chandler Youth Theatre

Chandler, AZ · EIN 843061640 · Form 990 · FY2022 · NTEE A65 · Arts, Culture & Humanities · Small ($100K-$1M) · chandleryouththeatre.org
revenue
$274K
expenses
$259K
net assets
$16K
employees
9
program ratio
86%
mission · from form 990

Chandler Youth Theatre aims to cultivate an inclusive learning environment where youth from all backgrounds can pursue theater, create art, and collaborate in a production. Chandler Youth Theatre strives to produce both quality productions and positive theater experiences by teaching children to respect the space, respect the instructors and each other, and, most of all, to respect themselves.

profile · synthesized from sources

Chandler Youth Theatre is a nonprofit organization that provides an inclusive and supportive environment for youth to explore theatre. They offer plays, musicals, classes, and workshops with a "no-cut" policy, ensuring every participant gets a part. The organization aims to build confidence, creativity, and talent in young performers.

named programs · 12 · from sources

what they call their work

Company
Audition-only program for youth.
Company JR
Audition-only program for youth aged 11-14.
Full Productions
Tuition-based training programs culminating in fully staged performances for friends and family, with expert instruction in acting, singing, and movement. Examples include Alice in Wonderland Jr., Anastasia, The Prom, and Mean Girls Jr.
High School Musical Spring Break Camp
A high-energy camp where participants perform as part of the ensemble in High School Musical productions at Williams Field High School.
Improv Fundamentals Academy
Classes for youth aged 11-17 to build confidence, creativity, and teamwork through improv games and scene work, including showcases.
KPop Spring Break Camp
A dance camp focused on learning K-Pop choreography, building confidence, and sharpening performance skills, culminating in a showcase.
Kids Group Acting Class
Acting classes for children aged 6-12.
Kids Improv
Improv classes for children aged 8-12.
Private Voice Lessons
One-on-one 30-minute vocal lessons designed to build confidence, technique, and stage presence for singers of all experience levels.
Teen Group Acting Class
Acting classes for teenagers aged 12-16.
Teen Improv
Improv classes for teenagers aged 12-18.
Triple Threat Class
Introductory program for youth aged 6-14 to learn the foundations of singing, acting, and dancing in a supportive environment.
activities · 5 clusters

what they do

  • Youth Performing Arts Camps & Classes 11 activities
    • K-Pop Dance Camps
      Offers K-Pop dance and performance camps for youth, where participants learn choreography and perform in a showcase.
    • K-Pop Dance Camps
      Offers K-Pop dance and performance camps for youth where dancers learn choreography and perform in a showcase.
    • Performing Arts Camps
      Operates various performing arts camps, including musical theatre camps and spring break camps, which involve intensive rehearsals and culminate in performances.
    • Performing Arts Camps
      Operates various performing arts camps, including a High School Musical Spring Break Camp and summer musical theatre camps.
    • Performing Arts Camps
      Operates various performing arts camps, such as a High School Musical Spring Break Camp and a summer musical theatre camp for "Anastasia," providing intensive training and performance opportunities.
    • Performing Arts Training Programs
      Offers tuition-based training programs in acting, singing, and movement for youth, including a "Triple Threat Class" for ages 7-14, which culminate in fully staged performances for families.
    • Performing Arts Training Programs
      Offers tuition-based training programs in acting, singing, and movement for youth, which often culminate in fully staged performances. These include "Triple Threat Classes" for introductory training.
    • Performing Arts Training Programs
      Offers tuition-based training programs in acting, singing, and movement for youth, which often culminate in fully staged performances. This includes "Triple Threat Classes" for introductory training.
    • Tuition-Based Performing Arts Training Programs
      Offers structured, tuition-based training programs in acting, singing, and movement for youth, including the Triple Threat Class and Improv Fundamentals Academy, which run monthly and culminate in family performances or showcases.
    • Youth Dance Camps
      Offers K-Pop dance and performance camps where youth learn choreography and perform in showcases.
    • Youth Dance and Performance Camps
      Hosts specialized performance camps including KPop dance camps and Spring Break camps, where youth learn choreography and perform in showcases, such as the High School Musical Spring Break Camp held in March 2024.
  • Youth & Family Theatrical Productions 7 activities
    • Youth Musical Theatre Productions
      Produces and stages full-scale musical theatre productions, including junior versions of popular shows like "Alice in Wonderland Jr.", "Frozen", "High School Musical Jr.", "Anastasia", "The Prom", and "Mean Girls Jr.", with youth casts ranging from ages 6-16. These productions involve twice-weekly rehearsals and culminate in public performances.
    • Youth Musical Theatre Productions
      Produces and stages full-scale musical theatre productions, including junior versions, with youth casts. These productions involve regular rehearsals and culminate in public performances for families and the community.
    • Youth Musical Theatre Productions
      Produces and stages full-scale musical theatre productions, including junior versions, with youth casts. These productions involve regular rehearsals, role assignments for all participants, and culminate in public performances for families and the community.
    • Youth Play Productions
      Produces and stages plays, such as "Puffs," with youth casts, providing opportunities for young actors to perform in non-musical theatrical productions.
    • Youth Play Productions
      Produces and stages plays for youth, such as "Puffs," a comedic take on the magical school genre.
    • Youth Play Productions
      Produces and stages plays, such as "Puffs," with youth casts, providing opportunities for young actors to perform in non-musical theatrical productions.
    • Youth Theater Productions
      Produces and stages full-scale youth theater performances of musicals and plays such as Alice in Wonderland Jr., Frozen, High School Musical Jr., Puffs, Anastasia, The Prom, and Mean Girls Jr., with cast rehearsals, tech weeks, and public performances scheduled throughout the year for students aged 6–18.
  • Theatrical & Performance Space Rental 4 activities
    • Facility Rentals
      Operates a theater venue with over 100 seats and offers rental access to spaces including a backstage/greenroom, restrooms, dance room, rehearsal space, and private lesson rooms.
    • Venue Rental
      Offers its facility, which includes a 100+ seat theatre, backstage/greenroom, restrooms, a dance room, rehearsal space, and private lesson rooms, for rent.
    • Venue Rental
      Offers its facility, which includes a 100+ seat theatre, backstage/greenroom, restrooms, a dance room, rehearsal space, and private lesson rooms, for rent.
    • Venue Rental
      Offers a venue for rent that includes a 100+ seat theatre, backstage/greenroom, restrooms, a dance room, rehearsal space, and private lesson rooms.
  • Youth & Community Improv Education 4 activities
    • Improv Education and Showcases
      Offers improv instruction through classes and academies that build confidence, creativity, and teamwork, with regular student showcases for families and friends as culminating events.
    • Improvisation Classes
      Provides improv classes and an "Improv Fundamentals Academy" for youth, focusing on developing confidence, creativity, and teamwork through games and scene work, with student showcases for family and friends.
    • Improvisation Classes
      Provides improv classes and an "Improv Fundamentals Academy" for youth, focusing on confidence, creativity, and teamwork through games and scene work, with student showcases for family and friends.
    • Improvisation Classes
      Provides improv classes and an "Improv Fundamentals Academy" for youth, focusing on developing confidence, creativity, and teamwork through games and scene work, with student showcases for family and friends.
  • Private and Small-Group Music Instruction 4 activities
    • Private Voice Instruction
      Provides weekly 30-minute private voice lessons for students aged 10–18, tailored to individual goals such as vocal development and audition preparation, offered at a rate of $199 per month.
    • Private Voice Lessons
      Offers private 30-minute voice lessons for individuals aged 10-18, tailored to individual student goals such as audition preparation and vocal development, provided weekly for a monthly fee.
    • Private Voice Lessons
      Offers private 30-minute voice lessons tailored to individual student goals, including audition preparation and vocal development, for youth aged 10-18.
    • Private Voice Lessons
      Offers private 30-minute voice lessons for individuals aged 10-18, tailored to individual student goals such as audition preparation and vocal development, at a cost of $199/month for weekly sessions.
financials · form 990 · fy2022

the money

revenue
Total revenue$274K
Contributions & grants$274K100%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$259K
Program expenses86%
Admin / overhead14%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$143K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$16K
Cash$16K
Investments$0
Liabilities$0
Net assets$16K
Liquid reserves0.8 mo
3 years on record · 2020–2022 · YoY revenue +24.2%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2022

who runs it

paid leadership · 2
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
Colleen Specht Director 20 $35K
David Specht Director 20 $30K
relationships · 18

who they work with

  • ASU’s Next Lab Partner — Amanda Federico, an improv instructor, serves as Program Coordinator at ASU’s Next Lab.
  • Arizona School for the Arts Partner — Lizzie Baggleman taught life skills at Arizona School for the Arts for nine years.
  • Arizona State University Partner — Kristi Kleiser earned her Bachelor’s degree in Theatre Arts and two Master’s degrees from Arizona State University.
  • Berklee College of Music Partner — Executive Director of Productions, Maya Hartzell-Robbins, is currently an undergrad studying Interdisciplinary Music Studies.
  • ImprovMANIA Partner — Amanda Federico, who leads improv instruction at Chandler Youth Theatre, has been a featured comedian with ImprovMANIA since 2016.
  • ImprovMANIA Comedy Club Partner — Founded by David and Colleen Specht, who also founded Chandler Youth Theatre.
  • ImprovMANIA Comedy Troupe Partner — Keith Burns is a core member of ImprovMANIA Comedy Troupe since 2014.
  • Kansas State University Partner — Mary Megan Longton earned her M.A. in Theatre with a specialization in Drama Therapy from Kansas State University.
  • Mesa Encore Theater Partner — Lizzie Baggleman is a member of the board of directors at Mesa Encore Theater.
  • Perry High School Partner — Amanda Federico has directed productions and coached improv troupes at Perry High School.
  • Phoenix Country Day School Partner — Keith Burns, a director and acting coach, serves as Director of Arts at Phoenix Country Day School.
  • The Phoenix Theatre Company Partner — Lizzie Baggleman served as a teaching artist at The Phoenix Theatre Company for eight summers.
  • University of Mississippi Partner — Mary Megan Longton earned her B.F.A. in Musical Theatre from the University of Mississippi.
  • University of Oklahoma Partner — Lizzie Baggleman is pursuing her Master’s in Arts Management & Leadership at the University of Oklahoma.
  • Williams Field High School Partner — Hosts performances and summer intensive programs including High School Musical, Anastasia, and The Prom.
  • Williams Field High School Partner — Hosts performances of High School Musical Jr. and High School Musical Teen Cast.
  • Williams Field High School Partner — Kylie Burge, a director and instructor at Chandler Youth Theatre, also serves as Theatre Director at Williams Field High School.
  • Williams Field High School Partner — Venue for High School Musical productions and Anastasia summer camp.