A History of Imagination
Since 1977, Childsplay has been bringing stories to life for young audiences and families across Arizona and beyond. Each season has built upon the last—introducing new voices, inspiring generations of artists, and earning recognition for artistic excellence, innovation, and educational leadership. Explore our journey through decades of performances and accolades.
1970-1980
- Will Today Be Yesterday Tomorrow?
- A Childsplay Christmas
- Sense and Nonsense
- A Childsplay Christmas
- Wiley & the Hairy Man
- Hit and Myth
1980-1990
Our Shows
- Hit and Myth
- Tale of Two Sisters
- Montana Molly & the Peppermint Kid
- The Pied Piper
- The Overcoat
- Wiley & the Hairy Man
- Fool of the World
- The Bat Poet
- Aladdin
- Not Exactly Cinderella
- The Odyssey
- Montana Molly & the Peppermint Kid
- Jack and the Beanstalk
- Not Exactly Cinderella
- Clarissa’s Closet
- The Endless Pavement
- Mother Hicks
- The Red Shoes
- Wilde Tales
- The Red Shoes
- Mythic Proportions
- The Belle of Amherst
- Ozma of Oz
- The Emperor’s New Clothes
- The Little Prince
- Square Pegs, Round Holes
- The Masque of Beauty & the Beast
- The Pushcart War
- Clarissa’s Closet
- The Legend of the Christmas Rose
- The Masque of Beauty & the Beast
- Prodigy
- The Owl and the Pussycat
- Once Upon A Mattress
- The Owl and the Pussycat
- This Is Not A Pipedream
- The Velveteen Rabbit
- Embroidered Yarns
- The Miracle Worker
- Embroidered Yarns
- The Bear That Wasn’t
- The Velveteen Rabbit
- Just So Stories
- The Masquerade of Life/La Mascarada de la Vida
1990-2000
Our Shows
- Just So Stories
- Ama and the White Crane
- The Masquerade of Life/La Mascarada de la Vida
- The Velveteen Rabbit
- Mr. Jones Lives Alone
- Through the Looking Glass
- The Reluctant Dragon
- Through the Looking Glass
- The Velveteen Rabbit
- Noodle Doodle Box
- Montana Molly & the Peppermint Kid
- Most Valuable Player
- The Cherry Orchard
- The Nightingale
- Noodle Doodle Box
- Montana Molly & the Peppermint Kid
- The Yellow Boat
- The Velveteen Rabbit
- Tales of the Grotesque
- Phoebe Joins the Circus
- Bocón!
- The Yellow Boat
- Phoebe Joins the Circus
- Bocón!
- The Velveteen Rabbit
- A Perfect Balance
- Wiley and the Hairy Man
- Hush: An Interview with America
- Mr. A’s Amazing Maze Plays
- A Perfect Balance
- Wiley and the Hairy Man
- Hush: An Interview with America
- The Velveteen Rabbit
- In My Grandmother’s Purse
- Afternoon of the Elves
- Androcles and the Lion
- The Secret Garden
- In My Grandmother’s Purse
- Androcles and the Lion
- The Portrait the Wind the Chair
- The Velveteen Rabbit
- The Falcon
- Wolf Child: The Correction of Joseph
- Phenomenal Smith
- Charlotte’s Web
- The Falcon
- The Short Tree & the Bird That
- Could Not Sing
- The Velveteen Rabbit
- This Is Not A Pipe Dream
- Schoolhouse Rock Live!
- Phenomenal Smith
- Anne of Green Gables
- This Is Not A Pipe Dream
- Just So Stories
- The Velveteen Rabbit
- Lincoln’s Log
- Still Life With Iris
- Schoolhouse Rock Live!
- [New Plays Festival]
- Still Life With Iris
- Lincoln’s Log
- Embroidered Yarns
- The Velveteen Rabbit
- A Perfect Balance
- The Highest Heaven
- Island of the Blue Dolphins
- And Then They Came For Me
- The Wind in the Willows
- Just So Stories
- Selkie
- A Perfect Balance
- The Velveteen Rabbit
- The Owl and the Pussycat
- Even Steven Goes To War
- And Then They Came For Me
- The King of Ireland’s Son
2000-2010
Our Shows
- Time Again in Oz
- The Owl and the Pussycat
- Salt & Pepper
- The Velveteen Rabbit
- Perô or The Mystery of the Night
- The Boxcar Children
- And Then They Came For Me
- Rhubarb Jam
- Schoolhouse Rock Live!
- Rhubarb Jam
- New Kid
- The Velveteen Rabbit
- Cyrano
- The Reluctant Dragon
- Apollo: to the Moon
- Eric & Elliot
- Charlotte’s Web
- New Kid
- Two Donuts
- Eric & Elliot
- The Velveteen Rabbit
- The Yellow Boat
- Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse
- The Beauty Machine (Stage Reading/Workshop)
- Sideways Stories from Wayside
- School
- The Velveteen Rabbit
- The Big Friendly Giant
- Power Play
- The Imaginators
- The Beauty Machine
- Eric & Elliot
- A Year with Frog & Toad
- New Kid (Tour)
- Eric & Elliot (Tour)
- The Velveteen Rabbit
- Go, Dog. Go!
- Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet
- Interrupting Vanessa
- Old Jake’s Skirts
- Junie B. Jones & A Little
- Monkey Business
- Eric & Elliot (Tour)
- Old Jakes Skirts (Tour)
- Seussical
- Bunnicula
- Danny, King of the Basement
- The Secret Garden
- Tomás and the Library Lady | By José Cruz González, Music and Lyrics by José Cruz González, Music arranged and performed by Adam Jacobson.
- This Is Not A Pipe Dream
- Sleeping Beauty
- Tomás and the Library Lady | By José Cruz González, Music and Lyrics by José Cruz González, Music arranged and performed by Adam Jacobson. Local Tour.
- Eric & Elliot (Tour)
- Lost and Foundling
- Seussical
- Peter and the Wolf
- Danny, King of the Basement (Tour)
- Petite Rouge
- River Rat & Cat
- Charlotte’s Web
- A Thousand Cranes
- Seussical
- Goodnight Moon
- A Tale of Two Cities
- Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible,
- No Good, Very Bad Day
- In My Grandmother’s Purse
- A Little Bit of Water
- Tomás and the Library Lady | By José Cruz González, Music and Lyrics by José Cruz González, Music arranged and performed by Adam Jacobson. 1st National Tour.
- A Little Bit of Water (Tour)
- Miss Nelson is Missing
- Getting Near to Baby
- The Velveteen Rabbit
- Busytown
- Rock, Paper, Scissors
- Ferdinand the Bull
- The Never Ending Story
- Tomás and the Library Lady | By José Cruz González, Music and Lyrics by José Cruz González, Music arranged and performed by Adam Jacobson. 2nd National Tour.
- Ferdinand the Bull (Tour)
- Honus and Me
- Androcles and the Lion
- Junie B. in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells
- Peter and the Wolf
- Tomato Plant Girl
- The Big Friendly Giant
2010-2020
Our Shows
- Ferdinand the Bull (National Tour)
- A Year with Frog and Toad
- Junie B. in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells!
- Go, Dog. Go!
- New Kid (Local Tour)
- The Imaginators
- The Borrowers
- Tomás and the Library Lady | By José Cruz González, Music and Lyrics by José Cruz González, Music arranged and performed by Adam Jacobson. 3rd National Tour.
- Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse
- The Sun Serpent
- Tomás and the Library Lady | By José Cruz González, Music and Lyrics by José Cruz González, Music arranged and performed by Adam Jacobson.
- Lyle the Crocodile
- With Two Wings
- Rock the Presidents
- The Color of Stars
- Rock the Presidents
- Rock Paper Scissors (Steen Papier Schaar)
- The Giver
- Junie B. in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells!
- Click Clack Moo: Cows That Type
- Boats
- Recipe for Disaster!
- A Wrinkle in Time
- Tomás and the Library Lady | By José Cruz González, Music and Lyrics by José Cruz González, Music arranged and performed by Adam Jacobson. 4th National Tour.
- Robin Hood
- The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane | By Dwayne Hartford, based on the book by Kate DiCamillo.
- The Velveteen Rabbit
- The Cat in the Hat
- Super Cowgirl and Mighty Miracle
- Schoolhouse Rock Live! | Book by Scott Ferguson, George Keating, and Kyle Hall. Music and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, Bob Dorough, Dave Frishberg, Kathy Mandry, George Newall, and Tom Yohe.
- Charlotte’s Web
- The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane | By Dwayne Hartford, based on the book by Kate DiCamillo.
- Junie B. Jones in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells!
- A Thousand Cranes
- The Boy Who Loved Monsters and the Girl Who Loved Peas
- Girls Who Wear Glasses
- The Three Javelinas
- Schoolhouse Rock Live! | Book by Scott Ferguson, George Keating, and Kyle Hall. Music and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, Bob Dorough, Dave Frishberg, Kathy Mandry, George Newall, and Tom Yohe. National Tour.
- Sideways Stories from Wayside School
- The Smartest Girl in the World
- A Year with Frog and Toad
- Pero, or the Mysteries of the Night
- Goodnight Moon
- Pete, or the Return of Peter Pan
- The Cat in the Hat (National Tour)
- Junie B. Jones is Not a Crook
- Rock the Presidents
- A Very Hairy Javelina Holiday
- The Cat in the Hat
- The Yellow Boat
- Interrupting Vanessa
- The Grumpiest Boy in the World
- Wonderland: Alice’s Rock & Roll Adventure
- Rock The Presidents (National Tour)
- The Phantom Tollbooth
- Tomás and the Library Lady | By José Cruz González, Music and Lyrics by José Cruz González, Music arranged and performed by Adam Jacobson.
- Go, Dog. Go!
- A Christmas Carol with Katie McFadzen
- The Snowy Day and other stories by Ezra Jack Keats
- Maddi’s Fridge
- Flora & Ulysses
- Go, Dog. Go! (National Tour)
- Charlotte’s Web | By Joseph Robinette, based on the book by E.B. White.
- The Girl Who Swallowed a Cactus | By Eric Coble.
- Ella Enchanted: The Musical | By Karen Zacarías, Music by Deborah Wicks la Puma, adapted from the book by Gail Carson Levine.
- And In This Corner… Cassius Clay | By Idris Goodwin.
- The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show | Created by Jonathan Rockefeller, based on Eric Carle’s books.
- Schoolhouse Rock Live! | Book by Scott Ferguson, George Keating, and Kyle Hall. Music and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, Bob Dorough, Dave Frishberg, Kathy Mandry, George Newall, and Tom Yohe.
- Tomás and the Library Lady | By José Cruz González, Music and Lyrics by José Cruz González, Music arranged and performed by Adam Jacobson. 5th National Tour.
- The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane | By Dwayne Hartford, based on the book by Kate DiCamillo. Program >
- Chato’s Kitchen | By Mark Valdez, based on the book by Gary Soto. Program >
- Ella Enchanted: The Musical | By Karen Zacarías, Music by Deborah Wicks la Puma, adapted from the book by Gail Carson Levine. Program >
- Elephant & Piggie’s “We Are In a Play!” | Book and Lyrics by Mo Willems, Music by Debora Wicks La Puma; Based on the Elephant and Piggie book series by Mo Willems. Program >
- Suzette Who Set to Sea | by Finegan Kruckemeyer. Local Tour.
- The Snowy Day | Adapted for the stage by Jerome Hairston, based on the book by Ezra Jack Keats. National Tour. Program >
- Maddi’s Fridge | By Anne Negri, based on the book by Lois Brandt. National Tour. Program >
2020-Present
Our Shows
- The Book of Dragons | Based on the book of short stories by Edith Nesbit, adapted by Katie McFadzen & Dwayne Hartford. Virtual & Drive-In Tour.
- Pandora’s Box | Based on the short story “The Paradise of Children” by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Virtual & Drive-In Tour.
- Seen | By Jenny Millinger. Virtual Tour.
- Dreamers | Based on the book by Yuyi Morales, adapted by Ricky Araiza. Virtual & Drive-In Tour; Virtual National Tour.
- A Kids Play About Racism | Adapted by Khalia Davis. Virtual Tour.
- A Christmas Carol with Katie McFadzen | By Charles Dickens, adapted for the stage by Katie McFadzen and Matthew Wiener. Performed at the Herberger Theater Center’s outdoor stage to distanced audiences.
- Selena Maria Sings (World Premeire) | By Miriam Gonzales, Music by Daniel French. Program >
- Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer | Adapted by Robert Penola, based on the animated TV special. Music and lyrics by Johnny Marks. Program >
- The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show | Created by Jonathan Rockefeller, based on Eric Carle’s books. Program >
- Schoolhouse Rock Live! | Book by Scott Ferguson, George Keating, and Kyle Hall. Music and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, Bob Dorough, Dave Frishberg, Kathy Mandry, George Newall, and Tom Yohe. Performed at Herberger Theater Center and as a National Tour. Program >
- The Book of Dragons | Based on the book of short stories by Edith Nesbit, adapted by Katie McFadzen & Dwayne Hartford. Local tour.
- Dreamers | Based on the book by Yuyi Morales, adapted by Ricky Araiza. Local tour and virtual national tour.
- Selena Maria Sings | By Miriam Gonzales, Music by Daniel French. PROGRAM >
- Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer | Adapted by Robert Penola, based on the animated TV special. Music and lyrics by Johnny Marks. PROGRAM >
- Tomás and the Library Lady | By José Cruz González, Music and Lyrics by José Cruz González, Music arranged and performed by Adam Jacobson. Performed at the Herberger Theater Center and as an in-school tour. PROGRAM >
- The Hula-Hoopin’ Queen (Southwest Premiere) | By Thelma Lynne Godin, Illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton. Adapted by Gloria Bond Clunie. PROGRAM >
- Eric & Elliot | By Dwayne Hartford. Performed as an in-school tour.
- Dreamers | Based on the book by Yuyi Morales, Adapted by Ricky Araiza. Virtual national tour.
- Eddie & Vinnie | By Jenny Millinger. Local Tour.
- Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer | Adapted by Robert Penola, based on the animated TV special. Music and lyrics by Johnny Marks.
- Tomás and the Library Lady | By José Cruz González, Music and Lyrics by José Cruz González, Music arranged and performed by Adam Jacobson. 6th National Tour.
- To be continued…
- Eddie & Vinnie | By Jenny Millinger. Local Tour.
- Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer | Adapted by Robert Penola, based on the animated TV special. Music and lyrics by Johnny Marks.
- Tomás and the Library Lady | By José Cruz González, Music and Lyrics by José Cruz González, Music arranged and performed by Adam Jacobson. 6th National Tour.
- To be continued…
A History of Achievement
Since 1977, Childsplay has been bringing stories to life for young audiences and families across Arizona and beyond. Each season has built upon the last, introducing new voices, inspiring generations of artists, and earning recognition for artistic excellence, innovation, and educational leadership. Explore our journey through decades of performances and accolades.
1980-1990
Awards & Honors
Children’s Theatre Association of America presents Childsplay its award for Outstanding New Children’s Theatre Company Award.
Childsplay receives Special Recognition Citation from American Association of Theatre for Youth for continued excellence and effectiveness in the field of children’s theatre.
Senators’ Cultural Award, East Valley Cultural Alliance, for contributions to assure audiences today and for the future.
David Saar receives Arizona Governor’s Arts Award for his contributions to the arts in Arizona.
1990-2000
Awards & Honors
- David Saar receives Distinguished Achievement Award from Arizona State University’s College of Fine Arts
- Childsplay performs The Masquerade of Life/La Mascarada de la Vida at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, DC
- David Saar receives the National Winifred Ward “Dare to Dream” Fellowship for creating his original play, The Yellow Boat. The play was also the first time Childsplay is represented at the New Visions/New Voices Playwriting Development program, John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, DC
- Received one of the first eight grants awarded nationally by the Lila Wallace/Readers Digest Fund for theatre for young audiences to create the new play Hush: An Interview with America.
- David Saar receives Phoenix Futures Forum’s “Dream Weavers” Vision Award
The Yellow Boat, was recognized at the Best Production for Children, Best Production of a New Work, Best Script by an Arizona Playwright, and Dwayne Hartford Best Male Supporting Performance, by the Greater Phoenix Theater Critics Circle awards.
Childsplay was named Arts Organization of the Year by the Phoenix Business Volunteers for the Arts.
Achieved Basic Aid status with the Arizona Commission on the Arts, as one of the ten leading arts organizations in Arizona.
David Saar receives the Distinguished Play Award from the American Alliance for Theatre and Education for his play The Yellow Boat.
Childplay is named the United States nominee for the President’s Award of ASSITEJ, the International Organization for Theatre for Young Audiences.
2000-2010
Awards & Honors
- American Theatre magazine names Childsplay one of the top four theatre companies for young audiences in the United States.
- The play And Then They Came for Me receives the Shofar Zakhor Award of the Phoenix Holocaust Survivors Association.
Childsplay receives the Arizona Governor’s Arts Award for Arts-in-Education
David Saar receives the Arizona State University Herberger College of Fine Arts Notable Achievement Award.
The play Eric and Elliot – written by Childsplay Associate Artist Dwayne Hartford and premiered at Childsplay – receives the Distinguished Play of the Year Award from the American Alliance of Theatre and Education.
- Childsplay receives a four-year $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education to implement, evaluate, and disseminate a model for integrating theatre arts across the middle school curriculum.
- Childsplay performs its world premiere production of Tomas and the Library Lady for First Lady Laura Bush at the Guadalupe Boys & Girls Club. The play was also invited to the national conference of the American Library Association.
Childsplay receives the Tempe Chamber of Commerce’s Business Excellence Award.
Childsplay receives a “Think It” grant from Theatre Communications Group to create new ways to build scenery that is more environmentally friendly.
2010-2020
Awards & Honors
- The Helios Foundation awards Childsplay a substantial grant to implement its Early Youth Educators at Play (Eye-Play) program in pre-school classrooms throughout the greater Phoenix area. The program introduces pre-school teachers to experiential learning techniques that encourage literacy learning for 3 to 5 year olds.
- The Doris Duke Charitable Foundation awards Childsplay and the Indiana Repertory Theatre $100,000 to implement Write Now, a TYA new play development festival.
The Doris Duke Charitable Foundation awards Childsplay $155,000 to implement The “El Puente Project,” a project focused on building demand for the performing arts through work with Resident Artist, Zarco Guerrero.
- The play With Two Wings – written by Anne Negri and premiered at Childsplay – receives the Distinguished Play of the Year Award from the American Alliance of Theatre and Education.
- Childsplay and Encanto Elementary School receive a four-year grant from the U.S. Department of Education to implement and evaluate a model for integrating theatre arts across three different language streams: mainstream classes, structured English immersion classes, and dual language classrooms where the pedagogy is half-and-half English and Spanish
The Sun Serpent by José Cruz González, commissioned and premiered at Childsplay, wins the Distinguished Play Award from the American Alliance of Theatre and Education.
- The U.S. Department Of Education awards Arizona State University a 4-Year $2.2 million grant to work with Childsplay on an innovative drama and literacy program. The Assistance for Arts in Education Development and Dissemination (AAEDD) grant will support experimental design around arts-based professional development for teachers in 90 preschool classrooms across the Phoenix metro area.
- The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Dwayne Hartford, adapted from the book by Kate DiCamillo, commissioned and premiered at Childsplay, wins the Distinguished Play Award from the American Alliance of Theatre and Education.
The Smartest Girl in the World by Miriam Gonzales, workshopped through Write Now and premiered at Childsplay, wins the Distinguished Play Award from the American Alliance of Theatre and Education.
2020-Present
Awards & Honors
Tómas and the Library Lady by José Cruz González adapted from the book by Pat Moya, commissioned and premiered at Childsplay, wins the Distinguished Play Award from the American Alliance of Theatre and Education.
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Questions?
Contact our main account: info@childsplayaz.org
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