About us
We are Arizona Repertory Theatre for Kids, a fine arts program. Our mission is to give children a place to shine, to develop their talents and learn teamwork through theatrical productions.
Read how we use the arts to do just that!
Dance
Dance is a powerful ally for developing many of the attributes of a growing child. Dance helps children mature physically, emotionally, socially, and cognitively. ART kids will be taught basics of dance including ballet, jazz, tap, and musical theatre.
Music
The discipline of music boosts students brain power, teaches patience, and helps them to think critically as they approach harmony and singing in rhythm. Learn challenging music, play games, as well as sing as a part of the cast of the shows we produce.
Art
Art has immense benefits for intellectual development. Art encourages creativity, craftsmanship, and imagination. Art will consist of different techniques such as painting, building, designing projects geared towards props and sets for the productions!
Drama
Drama helps youth discover talents, feel like part of something outside themselves, gives them a sense of belonging and importance, and raises their self-confidence. ART kids will learn basic acting techniques as well
Meet Our Seussical Team
Rachel Evans
Producer
Rachel Evans has a passion for helping children find their voice. She started ART for Kids in 2016 with the mission of providing a place for children to shine! As an art instructor she encouraged all students to make their voices heard through their creation and be sure to claim their work. Currently, she is a student at Arizona State University, studying theatre in order to bring a better theatre experience to our community in San Tan Valley
Carolyn Whiting
Director
Carolyn Whiting gained a love of musical theater at a very young age, participating in many productions in highschool, college, and the community. She has studied both teaching and music at Northern Arizona University, and she has taught music to children of all ages for years. She has absolutely loved being the musical director of two shows for Art4Kids, and stepping on to the stage as Maleficent for their Descendants production! She is VERY excited to direct this show for this amazing theater group!
January Queen
Choreographer
January Queen has been in the theatre world for 22 years. She attended college for Theatre, Dance, and Musical Theatre, along with working as an actor and as crew in local theatre companies in both Southern California and Arizona. She has been working with Art 4 Kids since 2017 as both director and choreographer in various shows. Dance is her passion, along with bringing out the most true self of every performer she works with
Logan Queen
Stage Manager
Logan Queen joined the community theatre world as an actor when he was a young child. He has been a part of multiple theatre groups in Southern California and Arizona. He became a member of the National Theatre society in Junior High, and jumped into the tech side in High School, along with joining theatre clubs. He has acted in 8 productions for Art 4 Kids, and is excited to step into a staff role as stage manager for Seussical the Musical in the spring!
What is Repertory Theatre for Kids and How did it Start?
In 2015 a group of amazing teachers brought the world of musical theatre to their school. They soon realized that not only was there a lot of interest in the arts, they also realized that immense talent surrounded them. When Summer of 2016 came, they decided to put together a musical production camp. Rachel Evans began the company Arizona Repertory Theatre for Kids, popularly known as ART4Kids! She continued working with her colleagues and together they made multiple shows per year. Being a group of teachers, they of course concentrated on teaching the kids how dance, music, drama, and art tied in to make a full production! At the end of the four week camp, the students put on a wonderful production of Alice in Wonderland. It was easy to see how much the arts had impacted the kids. Rachel realized that Art4Kids wasn’t only a place that put on shows, but instead a place where the children could shine! She watched kids find a new confidence, and passion.