BUILDING A SHINING FUTURE for our youth | for our theatre | for the arts Maureen Dias-Watson, Producing Artistic Director Savannah Thompson, Director of Education/Development 7020 E. 2nd Street, Scottsdale, AZ, 85251 BUILDING community | character | confidence | culture | careers 480.949.7529 | www.greasepaint.org BUILDING COMMUNITY Greasepaint is much more Our home base is the Stagebrush Theatre, a historic landmark in the heart than a stellar youth theatre. of Old Town Scottsdale. We’re proud to It’s a safe place, second be an integral part of the Scottsdale arts scene, and thrilled to be able to bring home and extended family Valley residents affordable children’s for thousands of kids. theatre that appeals not only to the little Every child needs a strong social niche ones, but to “kids” of all ages. outside the home: another place they feel And by attracting the crowds we do to safe and supported, and truly feel they our stage, we know we’re also helping to belong. Someplace that builds their self- ensure the fiscal health of a vibrant esteem and encourages them to dream. downtown. Somewhere they feel comfortable enough More than 500 kids grace the Greasepaint My son Sawyer did shows at Greasepaint to genuinely express themselves, and stage each year, and thousands more Youtheatre for six years, starting when he confident enough to spread their wings. delight in our shows from their seats in was 12. He liked to play the bad guy, but It’s there they can reach their full the audience. Our theatre virtually buzzes he learned so much good. potential. with activity throughout the year. Each He learned to walk in the shoes of the For over 30 years, Greasepaint has been season we produce six mainstage shows characters he played and think like that niche for thousands of kids and teens -- most of them musicals -- and each someone else. He learned about different between the ages of 6 and 20. We’re a show offers up six or more performances. “times and places. He learned to speak up, true community of youth actors. We’ve Every season includes one summer stand tall and to tap into his imagination crossed over the threshold of theatre to production for adults from our “Scottsdale long after most kids give it up. become one big extended family ... and Community Players,” typically cast with Sawyer learned what he was capable of we serve as each other’s biggest fans. college-aged alumni. if he stretched himself. He learned that it Ask around: Greasepaint provides the didn’t happen overnight, that he had to do We also feature an annual “Bare Bones best that youth theatre can offer. Our the work. And it was work - hard work - Production” for high school students who oganization is consistently designated and it was fun. He learned it could be both are very serious about their craft. In this as “Best in the Valley.” But we balance of those things. intensive program, they take the reins and our high production values with a family/ cast, direct, design and perform works of He learned how to improvise when thing friendly environment that is always bright, their choosing within a designated budget. went awry. He learned that he could fail, encouraging and fun. and the world wouldn’t end. He learned In addition, we offer numerous summer, Shakespeare said, “All the world’s a to try again. And then he learned to shine winter and spring camps and skill devel- stage.” We’re here to help kids take that without dimming anyone else’s glow. opment workshops in which youth learn stage by storm. Theatre is a metaphor for to sing, dance, act, improvise and shine Sawyer is now studying electrical life. We train actors. But more importantly, in every possible way on stage. And to engineering and math in college with we develop beautiful people who love ensure accessibility for everyone, each confidence and a sense of wonder. the arts and all their fellow players in this year we provide camp/workshop scholar- It’s because he fell in love in theater – world. ships to families in need, and also provide with the stage, with Shakespeare, with Greasepaint brings kids from diverse free programs to underserved communi- a girl. He fell in love with being a part of socio-economic backgrounds into an ties and schools. something good, even great, and how a inclusive culture where they learn to love A key goal of every program is to instill a cast and crew could become a family. one another not despite of but because deep love and appreciation of the arts that That doesn’t happen just anywhere. It of their differences. Rich or poor; black, our youth will carry with them forever ... happens in the theater. brown or white; gay or straight; liberal or and pass on for generations to come. conservative; timid or bold ... we teach ~Karina Bland them all to perform, and to always lead first with kindness. All show/production photos in this brochure courtesy of Laura Durant Photography Our daughter Alyssa was a part of the Greasepaint is a creative, safe haven for When we arrived for the first time at a Greasepaint family for six years. They our daughter that teaches her and many small theater in Old Town Scottsdale, we truly are a family that invests in every other young performers the craft of acting. had no idea the magic contained inside. child who walks through their doors. We Even more than that, it is a place where We had no idea the impact the people in have watched hundreds of children and these children learn to think for them- this building would have on our lives, in teens develop a true passion for the arts. selves, form deep friendships, and grow particular the lives of our children. It is so important that we pass on the love as performers and people. We were immediately embraced and “for the arts to our next generation. “Greasepaint never condescends to kids, “welcomed into the Greasepaint Family. On a personal level, Alyssa has learned but looks them right in the eye and We love that our children have an so much more than just acting. She has challenges them to find their truth. opportunity to be a part of the high quality learned about teamwork, commitment, High standards for emotional honesty productions at Greasepaint. But what we confidence and responsibility. All of these and focus on craft encourages these value even more is the exceptional staff attributes will be so important in whatever performers to go beyond simply putting that genuinely cares about each child that profession she chooses. on a show. They consistently rise to the comes through the door, whether they We feel so strongly in what Greasepaint occasion and the result is remarkable — have a lead role in the show or have been does that our family has made a serious performances that capture the heart, the cast for the first time. commitment to ensuring its longevity and true heart, of each story. The skills our children are developing at success. We invite others to make that ~Teresa Swingler Greasepaint will stay with them through- same commitment. out their lives, as will the friendships ~Luis & Christine Gonzalez There’s something so unique about made. We are so grateful we get to be a Greasepaint. It’s really everything that part of the magic. Greasepaint is a safe place to learn; that’s community theater should be: from the ~Kelli Sullivan why so many kids feel it’s their home. I’ve brilliant artistic staff to the intimate and gotten to improve my singing, acting, and loved location and the inclusive and dancing – but I’m just as thankful for the encouraging support offered to each and opportunities I’ve had to be behind the every performer. scenes working tech, where I learned to “Greasepaint instills so much confidence see theater from a different perspective, in its casts that I am always blown away “solve problems on the fly, get white make- by the quality of every show. It’s a truly up handprints off curtains every night(!), wonderful place for young people to and be part of the creative process in a flourish, and to give the best of them- new way. These skills are so valuable, selves, not just on stage and to their especially for an actor, and I’m grateful for audience, but to their community and every experience at Greasepaint. each other. ~Tatum Grell ~Steve Gleave (at right with family) BUILDING CHARACTER BUILDING CONFIDENCE & NOTABLE ALUMNI Greasepaint is incredibly proud of all of our alums throughout the years, who are now doctors, lawyers, en- CAREERSOur focus for younger kids is to create gineers, teachers and parents. Here Greasepaint is the best a nurturing environment where they can are just a few of those who chose to place in the Valley for youth explore basic acting skills in a completely pursue a career in the performing arts to learn the craft of acting. safe space. We work with more mature and what they’re doing now: We set high standards for excellence, youth to hone and perfect their craft, Asher Angel because we know kids continuously rise explore character development and Now starring in Disney Channel’s to meet and exceed expectations. Over movement, and tackle challenging scores Andi Mack and the DC hit movie, the years, Greasepaint productions have and scripts through which they can stretch Shazam their skillls and unlock talent they never garnered rave reviews and hundreds of Lizzie Baggleman dreamed was inside them.