About Us
The Mission of Creative Stages
Creative Stages Youth Theatre is dedicated to building a strong foundation in the arts for children and young adults in the Phoenix area through accessible, affordable and rewarding opportunities in theatre.
History of Creative Stages
A community of families, artists and business people previously associated through theatre in the Phoenix area formed the organization in August of 2009. Along with an inaugural season of five original plays, Creative Stages Youth Theatre established a board of directors, by-laws, and its 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization status in the months that followed.
In its first year, CSYT used performance spaces shared by another theatre group, a church, and a school—all in Peoria, Arizona, west of Phoenix—as well as multiple locations loaned for rehearsals and tech work. Despite these and other practical challenges, the theatre managed to make its first season a critical and financial success by adding several fund raising events, comedy-variety shows, camps, and workshops to its schedule; expanding casts, crews, supporters, and audiences; and earning 12 National Youth Theatre awards and nominations for 2009-2010.
Keeping its base in Peoria in order to continue building the arts in the West Valley, Creative Stages moved into its first full-time location at 19209 N. 83rd Avenue just in time for its second season to begin in September, 2010.
About the Artistic Director
Jim Gradillas has been teaching /directing youth theatre for 20 years. He has been a professional actor, teacher, director and writer all over Arizona during this time. Jim has won nine ariZoni Awards for Theatre Excellence and several Child Empowerment Awards. He has worked with Phoenix Theatre, Valley Youth Theatre, Greasepaint Scottsdale Youth Theatre, Arizona Jewish Theatre, Mesa Arts Center, StageWorks and Theater Works as a Youth Programs manager. His passion and love for youth theatre has led him to this exciting new youth theatre, Creative Stages! He is proud to serve as Artistic Director.
