Summer Academy FAQ

Although summer might look different this year, we are still commited to bringing you the best programming and offering the hallmarks of what makes our classes so special!

We were worried that we might not be able to offer summer classes at all, so we are incredibly grateful we have found a way to still be apart of some of your favorite summer traditions!

The biggest change is the class meeting times. For the Summer 2026 all of our classes are moving to a half-day model that will have options for the morning or afternoon/evening. We will be condensing classes to still offer the same level of love and attention we always give!

We can't thank you enough for your love and support during this time and we guarantee the same level of joy and satisfaction we have offered year after year for decades. 

CLICK HERE to view our standard FAQ for things not addressed below. For any other questions, please contact Academy Admin. We are here to help and get you answers to your questions!

• Where will class be located for Summer 2026?
• Class Meeting Times
• Holidays and Shortened weeks?
• Are you still offering your on-stage production classes at the Tempe Center for the Arts?
• Available Age Groups for Summer 2026
• Sharing Times
• Extended Care
• Class sizes?
• Can my student take an AM & PM class?
• Lunch Break
• Who will be teaching your Summer classes?
• Are you still offering a Teen Internship Program?
• What are the chances our class will be cancelled due to the AC?
• Will you still be offering scholarships?
• Anything else we should expect?

Where will class be located for Summer 2026?

All class will continue to meet at our Campus of Imagination and Wonder in Downtown Tempe: 900 S Mitchell Drive Tempe AZ 85282

Our on-stage production classes will also continue to meet at the Tempe Center for the Arts for their final week of class. (located just a few minutes away from our down town campus)

Class Meeting Times

ALL "AM" classes will be meeting from 9:30 AM - 1:30 PM (4 hours)

ALL "PM" classes will be meeting from 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM (4 hours)

Holidays and Shortened weeks?

• Memorial Day: We will now be meeting for all 5 days the week of Memorial Day instead of the shortened four-day week.
• Juneteenth: We will offer class as usual on Friday June 19th. With the exception of the 2-week teen production class that meets this week at the TCA. They will perform on Thursday, June 18th at the typical times.
• Independence Day: We WILL be offering classes the weeks before and after Independence day. We historically have not offered class during one of those weeks, but we will be offering programming this summer
  • We will have 10 straight week of classes this summer!

Are you still offering your on-stage production classes at the Tempe Center for the Arts?

Yes. These will now all be two-week classes (rather than three). You have the option of being in the AM Cast or the PM Cast.

Here are the performances times:

• AM: 10:30 AM & 12:30 PM
• PM: 3:00 PM & 5:00 PM

We are pausing our Shakespeare production class for this Summer. We will be offering a combined ages musical in it's place ages 8-18.

Available Age Groups for Summer 2026

• Marathon classes (Short musicals and plays) are available every week of summer for ages 8-15
• On-Stage Productions classes (performing at the Tempe Center for the Arts) are available on specific weeks for Ages 8-14, 12-17, and 8-18.
• Theme classes are available several week of the summer. AM classes will be ages 5-7 and PM classes will be ages 8-12.
• We will not be offering classes this summer for students younger than 5.
• In some limited cases we can make an age exception. Please contact Academy Admin if you are looking for an age exception.

Sharing/Performance Times

Marathon Sharing Times:

• AM: 11 AM & 12:45 PM
• PM: 3 PM & 5:30 PM

Theme Class Sharing Times:

• AM: 12:30 PM (Ages 5-7)
• PM: 5:00 PM (Ages 8-12)

On-Stage Production Classes:

• AM: 10:30 AM & 12:30 PM
• PM: 3:00 PM & 5:00 PM

Extended Care

We will not be offering before care or after care this summer. Drop off happens 15 minutes before the class start time and pick up happens no later than 15 minutes after the end time.

Class sizes?

We will keep our class sizes the same as usual. Our 10:1 ratio (and often times 10:2-3) will also remain the same.

• Marathon & On-Stage Production Classes: 20 students
• Theme Classes: 16-17 students

Can my student take an AM & PM class?

We are providing the option for people to take both an AM & PM class. It will be a long day (9:30 AM - 6 PM) but we will accommodate for those interested!

Lunch Break

We will not have an official lunch break. However, classes will have short breaks in the middle of class where they are welcome to enjoy a snack or a small meal. For students who decide to take an AM & PM class, they are welcome to bring a meal with them to enjoy in the 30 minutes between classes. Those taking an AM and PM class will remain in our supervision between classes.

Who will be teaching your Summer classes?

We plan to bring back all of your favorite Teaching Artists and Assistant Teachers as much as possible. Although we always have room for newbies. We will also continue to have teen volunteer interns.

Are you still offering a Teen Internship Program?

YES! We will continue to offer half and full-day internships. Apply at childsplayaz.org/interns

What are the chances our class will be cancelled due to the AC?

Slim to none! The building that we are operating in has a much newer AC system. In the rare situation that it does go out, it is MUCH easier and faster to repair.

Will you still be offering scholarships?

Yes. We will continue to offer scholarships as usual. We open scholarships for Summer in April.

Anything else we should expect?

Outside of schedule shift, we plan to continue to offer the same programming you know and love!

Don't see the answer you are looking for? Check our our general FAQ

Note: Please let us know if you see any discrepancies or conflicting information as we shift what our programming looks like this summer. If something is unclear, please don't hesitate to reach out!