Childsplay Theatre

Matt de la Peña, author of the award winning picture book, Last Stop on Market Street, chats with us about his creative journey and his approach to difficult subject matter in stories for young people.   Don't forget to find us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and now on Spotify! Learn more about this production, and other Childsplay shows, at childsplayaz.org.

Anne Negri joins us from Chicago to chat about her new play "Maddi's Fridge" based on the book by Lois Brandt. Anne tells us about how she became a playwright, her thoughts on Maddi and Sofia's friendship, and shares some advice for young aspiring writers! Learn more about Anne at annenegri.com.   Don't forget to find us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and now on Spotify! Learn more about this production, and other Childsplay shows, at childsplayaz.org.  

In this episode we record literally behind-the-scenes with the cast of The Hungry Caterpillar Show! Debra K. Messing, Katie McFazden, and Jon Gentry, Associate Artists and performers with Childsplay Theatre, take us backstage at the Herberger Theater Center to share their experiences working with over 75 puppets that are a part of The Hungry Caterpillar Show! experience.   Don't forget to find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Learn more about this production, and other Childsplay shows, at childsplayaz.org.

On this week's episode we get ready for testing season with two great activities designed to strengthen our focus and create opportunities for conversation about our growth mindsets and how we handle failure.    Don't forget to find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.   The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show opens next week!

Join us for a relaxed, funny chat with Anthony Runfola, director of Childsplay's production of Schoolhouse Rock Live! Hear sneak peeks from Childsplay's electrifying covers of popular hit songs from Schoolhouse Rock, some insight into how music helps us learn, and two mini bonus Pink Floyd stories from Anthony and the host, Katie'B. Anthony Runfola is Childsplay's Director of Production and director of Schoolhouse Rock Live! which will be at the Herberger Theater Center in downtown Phoenix from April 30th through May 25th, 2019. Don't forget to find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Learn more about this production, and other Childsplay shows, at childsplayaz.org. Anthony Runfola is in his 19th season with Childsplay where he serves as director of production.  His recent Childsplay directing credits include Wonderland: Alice's Rock and Roll Adventure, Goodnight Moon, Charlotte’s Web, Eric and Elliot, and Rock the Presidents. He has been a guest artist at theatres across the valley including Black Theatre Troupe, Actor’s Theatre, Teatro Bravo, Stray Cat Theatre, Phoenix Theatre, Actor's Renaissance Theatre, Gammage/ASU Public Events, Scottsdale Community College, and Mesa Community College. Outside of Arizona, his work has been on stage at Geva Theatre Center, Seattle Children's Theatre, and the Magik Theatre. He is a member of the inaugural cohort of ArtEquity and co-chairs Childsplay’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee. He was a founding member of Upstairs Theatre Company in Tucson, AZ and served as the company's artistic director until 2001. In 1998 he was selected to participate in the Lincoln Center Theater Directors Lab, and in 2001 was invited to join the west coast version at the Pasadena Playhouse. Anthony serves on the boards of Desert State USITT (the local chapter of the United States Institute for Theatre Technology) and Teatro Bravo. He resides in Phoenix with his wife Jannine and their two wonderful children.  

This week we have a very special interview with Childsplay Artistic Director, Dwayne Hartford. We explore our current in-school performance of Eric & Elliot. Dwayne tells us about the scripts creation, and why this play is vital to young people and families. #TourTuesday  *Content Warning* Eric & Elliot is the story of a family surviving the aftermath of a suicide. Themes connected to this story including suicide and depression are discussed in this interview. Thanks to a generous partnership with the BHHS Legacy Foundation, Childsplay is offering FREE public performances to see this powerful story. Public Performances: Sunday, February 9th at 1:00pm and 4:00pm, Sunday, February, 10th 2019 at 1:00pm at the Brelby Theatre in Glendale, AZ. Seats are limited!! Please go to www.childsplayaz.org, click on the schools tab, and RSVP on the Eric and Elliot page. Suicide and depression are critical issues affecting young people today. To help address awareness and create entry points for discussion in our communities, we are offering this performance to any who might benefit. Following the play, counselors from Valle del Sol will lead a discussion with the audience and be available to give resources and help to individuals who need it. Eric and Elliot is recommended for ages 11+ Rate and subscribe to Childsplay Theatre on itunes and stitcher. Don't forget to find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Learn more about this production, and other Childsplay shows, at childsplayaz.org.

This week on Childsplay Theatre, we interview Rapheal Hamilton. Rapheal is currently playing Cassius Clay (Muhammed Ali) in Childsplay's upcoming production by the same name. We chat about health, speaking positively to yourself, and learning from your failures. And In This Corner: Cassius Clay is a co-production with Black Theatre Troupe performed at the Helen K. Mason Performing Arts Center in Phoenix. It will be performed from January 27th until March 3rd of 2019. Don't forget to find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Learn more about this production, and other Childsplay shows, at childsplayaz.org. Rapheal Hamilton is a native of Memphis, TN. His first professional role was in 2005 for the Indie Film Shallow Rustic Affinities, directed by Theopolis Anthony. Rapheal starred in August Wilson's Two Trains Running, directed by Pasha Yamotahari for the acclaimed Black Theatre Troupe in Phoenix, AZ in 2012. Most recently, he worked again with BTT on several projects including August Wilson's Seven Guitars as Floyd 'School Boy' Barton, and Broke-ology, directed by Childsplay's own, Anthony Runfola. His latest film was as Angel Ahab in Celestial Hunt. Rapheal firmly believes in manifesting Your Destiny! Be You Be Different Be Great. Find Rapheal on instagram at @itsralphy or at www.raphealhamilton.com.

This week we learn a few new activities for building and practicing trust and listening in the classroom. Both of these activities support 21st Century Learning Skills. Ella Enchanted has public shows running until Christmas Eve! Don't forget to find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Vinny Chavez joins us for our latest Behind the Scenes episode! He's one of our favorite actors, appearing in The Smartest Girl in the World, Junie B Jones is Not a Crook, and right now he's starring as Prince Char in Ella Enchanted. (At the Herberger Theatre December 18th-21st) Vinny Chavez is happy to be back at Childsplay after performing in the world premieres of A Very Hairy Javelina Holiday(Jose), Junie B. Jones is Not a Crook(Handsome Warren), and The Smartest Girl in the World (Hector). Other credits: All Shook Up with Theatre Works, Silence the Musical with Stray Cat Theatre, West Side Story and Me & My Girl with Hale Centre Theatre, and 21 Chump Street with A/C Theatre Company. Vinny is the Program Manager for Arizona Magic of Music & Dance, a non-profit theater program for youth and adults with disabilities. For more information, please visit www.vinnychavez.com. Don't forget to RSVP for our November 13th Tuesdays, Tacos and Theatre! Limited seats available!   Find and Rate us itunes or stitcher and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Does public speaking cause you to sweat and worry? Check out this episode for two great improvisation activities to warm up those public speaking skills.   Don't forget to RSVP for our December 11th Tuesdays, Tacos and Theatre! Limited seats available! The last TTT of 2018!   Don't forget to find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

During rehearsals for The Girl Who Swallowed A Cactus, playwright Eric Coble sat down with me to chat! I had a great time learning about the creation of Cactus, it's connection to the environment, his childhood in New Mexico (including a successful stint digging Tiger Traps), and most importantly: The power of play!   This play is presented in collaboration with Metro Theater Company as a Rolling World Premier. It was workshopped and presented as a rehearsed reading in April 2018 at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts as part of New Visions/New Voices 2018.   Don't forget to RSVP for our November 13th Tuesdays, Tacos and Theatre! Limited seats available!   Find and Rate us itunes or stitcher and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

On this episode we look at a few quick activities to strengthen our powers of deduction! This episode was narrated by our lovely artistic director, Dwayne Hartford. Don't forget to RSVP for our November 13th Tuesdays, Tacos and Theatre! Limited seats available! Don't forget to find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

This week we chat with actor/director Debra K Stevens and actor Kate Haas about our upcoming performance of The Girl Who Swallowed A Cactus. We chat about the script, playing multiple characters, creative play, and the difference between in-school and field trip performances. As Kate Haas always says: You never know whose life you're going to change! Share with your class, or enjoy by yourself!   The Girl Who Swallowed a Cactus was written by Eric Coble and is being presented in collaboration with Metro Theatre Company as a rolling world premier. It was workshopped and presented as a rehearsed reading in April 2018 at the John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts as part of New Visions/New Voices 2018.   Rate and Subscribe on iTunes and Stitcher! Help other educators find us and leave a review so we can keep serving you and your students!   Don't forget to Imagine Together!      

On this episode we share a few quick and fun activities that help us strengthen our speaking and listening skills! These activities also rock for vocabulary recall and review. This episode was narrated by the lovely MaryLisa McKallor. Don't forget to RSVP for our October 9th Tuesdays, Tacos and Theatre! Limited seats available! Don't forget to find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Charlotte’s Web is back at Childsplay Theatre! Debra K Stevens, actress and artistic associate, talks about her long career playing Charlotte, working with Childsplay in the 80’s, her relationship with real-life spiders and what we have to look forward to in the 2018 fall performance of Charlotte’s Web. Charlotte’s Web runs from September 4th to October 12th, 2018. Find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram! Childsplay Theatre is a professional non-profit children’s theatre established in 1977, based in Tempe, AZ.

Welcome to a new school year! Our first episode shares a two activities used for community building and welcoming your students into the classroom.   Don't forget to check us out on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!   Childsplay Theatre is a professional non-profit children’s theatre established in 1977, based in Tempe, AZ.

The podcast for educators, teaching artists and those who enjoy theatre for young audiences. Learn tips for integrating the arts into the classroom and sneak a peek behind-the-scenes into Childsplay’s performance season. Childsplay Theatre is a professional non-profit children’s theatre established in 1977, based in Tempe, AZ.   Find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!