Testimonials
5/20/09 Ryan Elementary (The Neverending Story): "It was amazing how you
brought this fantasy to life on the stage! The costumes, set, special effects,
lights and sound were top-notch as always. We were all enchanted! My students
drew a set for their favorite scene in the movie before we went, then compared
it with Childsplay's set for that scene, and added to their pictures when we
returned to school this afternoon. They appreciated all the creativity and work
that must go into the birthing process of each play. Thank you so much for your
outstanding productions! May the winds of fortune blow your way so you can keep
Phoenix entertained during our scary downturn! We need the arts!!!"
-- 2nd Gr. Teacher
5/20/09 Kyrene de la Paloma (Rock Paper Scissors): "Great
enrichment for many kids whose parents can't or don't make this kind of
experience available. Always high quality. Most of your productions spur my
students to be more creative and to appreciate acting as an art form. The kids
have always been amazed by the sets and how "believable" they are even when we
are sitting in our old, familiar cafeteria."
-- 4th Gr. Teacher
5/7/09 Kayenta Intermediate (Ferdinand the Bull): "I had the students write
about their favorite part of the play and what they learned from the play. The
majority of the students grasped the concept that the play was trying to convey.
The students made comments about not bullying and being allowed to make
decisions for yourself."
-- 4th Gr. Teacher
5/5/09 Royal Palm Middle School (Rock Paper Scissors) : "The
experience was of value since many students have never met professional actors
nor have they seen a professional performance. Watching the production and then
engaging with the actors in a session afterwards created excitement. Since the
students had worked with a resident Childsplay artist during the year, they were
really responsive to the post-visit of the actors. I LOVE Childsplay and I've
been inspired to incorporate more drama into my curriculum after the remarkable
year I've had as a grant participant."
-- 6th Gr. Teacher
4/6/09 Dobson Montessori "Every play by Childsplay is worth the visit!
Theater teaches values, manners, emotions, empathy, risk taking, creativity,
expression, love of literature-hey, maybe we should throw out all the other
curriculum and just teach theater! I'm serious!"
-- K – 8 Principal
3/30/09 Bios Christian Academy (Ferdinand the Bull): "They liked
the lessons learned, liked being able to answer questions and ask, loved how
language was mixed in, favorite was the humor and FABULOUS acting, liked the
costumes, like the simple set and how it changed quickly - clever, remembered
some of the actors from a play we attend earlier in year - Busy Town and though
that was cool, and loved just the atmosphere and great venue we were at."
-- K – 4th Grade Teacher
2/9/09 Edu-Prize Charter School (Ferdinand the Bull) "The Childsplay
performance was very entertaining in actions and music. It also taught the
students an important message about bullying, and trusting yourself to speak up
for your beliefs."
-- 5-6th Grade Teacher
2/5/09 Awakening Seed School (Busytown) "I appreciate
Childsplay's dedication to quality theatre for young children. Although all the
performances are very high quality and meet arts objectives in the kindergarten
curriculum, I bring my kindergarten class to see plays for the entertainment
quality of bringing stories to life on the stage thru live performance. Thanks
for continuing to uphold the high standards!"
-- Kerri Tornow; Kindergarten Teacher
1/27/09 Maryland Elementary (Rock Paper Scissors) "Thank you so much for you
performance today! It is incredible to be able to share and model art, and
expression through different venues. The performance exceeded my expectations
and we had a great discussion in our room afterward about a variety of themes.
(trying something new, using your brain, using your imagination, not being
afraid to play and have fun FOREVER, making a new friend) Thank you so much!"
-- Kindergarten Teacher
1/27/09 Maryland Elementary (Rock Paper Scissors) "I love the
idea of exposing our students to various forms of expression. We need to show
our students that their ideas, voice, words, and talents have value and power at
our schools and in this world. A performance such as this gives them this
opportunity. We need to convey that every child has beautiful contribution to
make to this world and this could be one way."
-- Kindergarten Teacher
1/14/09 Kyrene de los Lagos (Ferdinand the Bull): "Exceptional! We are so
fortunate to have Childsplay come to our school; the children benefit so much!
The script was lovely, integrating Spanish and English. The music and dancing
were perfect. The actors were just right for our K-3 audience. One of my
favorite Childsplay productions of all time! I rated Q and A "fair" but a few
questions are all that is really needed."
-- 1st Grade Teacher
1/8/09 Burk Elementary (Ferdinand the Bull): "I actually used
this performance to refer back to in my social studies lesson about the American
Revolution. It was a great example of how people stood up for what they believed
in."
-- 5th Grade Teacher
12/20/08 Indigo Homeschoolers (The Velveteen Rabbit): "Each play we attend is
professional, well acted and carefully thought out with your child in mind. All
the resources after the play also make the experience a lasting one with a
message of wholeness (not just watching something to watch it). The productions
are also well rounded and feel complete with the play, discussion sheets, and
curriculum. Thanks Childsplay!"
-- Parent
12/19/08 Camelview Elementary (The Velveteen Rabbit): "It is
literacy-related, inspires discussion, and enhances students' imagination. It is
also well-produced and well-acted. It's a quality theatre experience."
-- 3rd Grade Teacher
12/15/08 Kyrene del Milenio (The Velveteen Rabbit): "I love the Childsplay
productions and make it a point to try and schedule this field trip every year.
I am never disappointed and the children truly enjoy this opportunity. Thank you
for what you do for the community and our school children."
-- 1st Grade Teacher
12/03/08 Menlo Park Elementary (A Little Bit of Water): "The
Childsplay performance was a play that covered state history and water
conversation ideas that are relevant to the present and future. It was performed
in such a way that the students were entertained throughout as well as informed
about the history of the water in AZ and the importance of water conservation.
They learned that they have a role in taking care of our water for their
future."
-- 4th Grade Teacher
12/02/08 Thew Elementary (The Velveteen Rabbit) "The Velveteen Rabbit is a
classic book, and this field trip gave our students the experience of seeing a
book in a different way and it's a wonderful story that values the importance of
being a child and using your imagination, something our youth is lacking."
-- 1st Grade Teacher
11/24/08 Madison Simis (Ferdinand the Bull): "Fabulous! The
acting (and singing) was superb. It was a quality performance that was
substantive and entertaining enough for adults but still very understandable for
children. I was also struck by the high level and abundance of words used (and
word play) ... a good activity to go along with "word choice" in 6 trait
writing!!"
-- 2nd Grade Teacher
11/20/08 Cactus Wren Elementary (Ferdinand the Bull): "I watched the Spanish
speaking students and saw how their faces lit up as they heard their language
spoken. There was pure joy in the laughter of our children. I especially liked
all the puns and adult humor. Thanks for the wonderful experience!"
-- 5th Grade Teacher
Sun Canyon (Miss Nelson is Missing): "I love Childsplay
productions. We attend one every year and we are never disappointed. You really
know how to bring literature to life!"
-- 1st Gr. Teacher
Bellair (Miss Nelson is Missing): "Students enjoyed seeing a beloved book
come alive. They thought the play was fun, captured their attention, made them
wonder what would come next and provided most students a new experience. This
was the first play most of my students have seen. Thank you so much for
providing such a wonderful experience for my students."
-- 4th Gr. Teacher
Kyrene de los Lagos (Miss Nelson is Missing): "We love coming to
see Childsplay performances. They are always professional, relevant, and fun. We
appreciate the variety of choices in topic, literature genre, and presentation
format. My "personal favorite thing ever!" is the amazing scenery! Keep up the
great work."
-- 2nd Gr. Teacher
11/12/08 John Jacobs Elementary School (Ferdinand the Bull): "It's a great
way to teach respect for others - and also a great way to help students learn to
be true to themselves."
-- 5th Grade Teacher
11/6/08 Ocotillo Elementary School (Getting Near to Baby): "It
is great to be able to read the book and then see it acted out. The students can
compare and contrast both experiences. The play gives students an opportunity to
be in a gorgeous theater and to learn theater etiquette."
-- 6th Grade Teacher
11/5/08 Andalucia Middle School (Getting Near to Baby): "They were surprised
how real the story became. Friends talked about changes between the play and the
book."
-- 6th Grade Teacher
11/4/08 Dobson Montessori (Getting Near to Baby): "Always the
best field trips of the year! Don't waste your funds on any other theater
company-Childsplay delivers outstanding high-quality shows every time!"
-- School Principal
11/4/08 Dobson Montessori (Getting Near to Baby): "All your productions are
wonderful but this one was truly outstanding. It really reached the older
students and showed that theater isn't about just entertaining the audience but
can be a thought-provoking and enriching experience as well."
-- School Principal
11/4/08 Dobson Montessori (Getting Near to Baby): "They really
enjoyed the characters. Had a great discussion about dynamic vs static
characters and which characters changed the most and why in the play. The set
was also very interesting to the students. Also talked about how we all deal
with emotions that are not always positive."
-- School Principal
11/2/08 Madison Heights Elementary School (A Little Bit of Water): "We will
be studying and building landforms in science; especially the role of water, so
the performance was a relevant connection."
-- PreK - 4th Grade Teacher
10/31/08 Sweetwater School (Getting Near to Baby): "I explained
the US Essay Contest to my class and have allowed them to decide whether or not
to enter the contest. However, I have assigned the same writing assignment
(journal entry) in my classroom because it's a good opportunity for students to
focus on "Voice," one of the six traits of writing."
-- 6th Grade Teacher
10/31/08 Sweetwater School (Getting Near to Baby): "I think the students
learn a lot just by the exposure they get to the theater. Having the actors
perform, and interact with them at the end, allows the students to see real
people at work. The realty is positive and attainable."
-- 6th Grade Teacher
10/29/08 Kyrene del Pueblo (Getting Near to Baby): "Seeing
literature brought to life enhances student's reading. It can lead them to read
a book they otherwise might not have chosen and/or to begin to read the author's
work."
-- 8th Grade Teacher
10/29/08 Kyrene del Pueblo (Getting Near to Baby): "Build empathy for the
situations of others. Fit very well with discussions about bullying, present
economic situation and the struggles some of them and their classmates are
facing. Very timely message."
-- 8th Grade Teacher