Paige Productions Youth Theater opened September 1, 2021, and immediately took off. This new production company advertised itself as “Musical Theater for Busy Kids.” This concept seemed to hit a nerve with families, because enrollment for their first production exploded with 40 kids signing up to participate. Their first musical offering, All Together Now, was a smash success, performing four shows on two nights to more than 350 audience members. Generous ticket sales allowed Paige Productions to make donations to local school PTO’s. The theater quickly followed up with successful Fall & Winter Break Performing Arts Camps, and Santa's Send-Off Show, a musical featuring 30 performers, Santa Claus, and a standing-room-only peformance on December 24, 2021.
Paige Productions Youth Theater is a company run by a mom who understands the unique needs of kids and families. Owner/Artistic Director, Paige Beckman, is not only a mom, she is also a two-time ariZoni-winning director and music director who owns her own voice studio, (Paige Beckman Music Studio), and has been directing the youth theater program at Fountain Hills Theater for more than a decade. Paige was also the Show Experience Director at the North Pole Experience in Flagstaff, AZ for two seasons. These experiences have put her deeply in the mindset of what kids and families want from an experience and a theatrical education opportunity.
Her goal is to provide additional performance opportunities in the East Valley for busy kids and teens who missed out on performing due to the pandemic. Paige says, “I believe there is a need for more theater in Fountain Hills, many of our students are forced to travel 30 minutes to get additional performance opportunities. I am creating a place where kids can perform at other theaters and still take part in our productions.” These events are not just for children, they also feature teens in advanced vocal performances. There is something to challenge and inspire performers of all ages at this theater company.
Theater for Busy Kids - Paige is a theater mom who knows the grind of driving kids to rehearsals every night. She’s also a voice teacher. Her own daughter and vocal student, Summer Beckman, was active in youth theater and was the musical theater and overall winner of the Arizona Young Artists Competition at the Herberger Theater in 2018. Supporting her daughter as a young artist also shaped Paige’s ideas about kids and rehearsal schedules.
Paige understands that kids want to perform in shows but still participate in other activities. “As a parent, I know it is important for kids to be well-rounded. They need to participate in sports, dance, swim, and other after-school activities. Often rehearsals and theatrical commitments are so intense that kids don’t have time to complete their homework or be involved in anything else. As a parent and a theater professional, I felt there could be a theater option that didn’t require 20+ hours of rehearsal per week. I think we have found a way to make that work.”
Fountain Hills Presbyterian Church has agreed to host Paige Productions on their large, Performance Hall stage. Performing arts students enjoy the playground and kid-friendly environment in between theater classes and rehearsals. Paige loves the environment as well, “It is wonderful to be in a kid-friendly, family-friendly environment. The kids love getting a chance to burn-off steam outside, and we even have a theater dog that comes to visit. It’s a warm environment where we nurture and challenge young performers.”
The performance venue is large and spread out, and visitors & audience members are encouraged to move chairs to socially distance. Visitors can also enjoy the beautiful campus overlooking the scenic Four Peaks Mountain Range.
Seussical KIDS - Paige Productions is starting rehearsal on the production, Seussical KIDS, in January 2022. This production features 30 performers ages 5-14 from Gilbert, Paradise Valley, Scottsdale, and Fountain Hills, AZ. This lively production will rehearse on Sundays and perform two shows on February 26, 2022. Additional details at www.paigeproductionsAZ.com.
Spring Break - Paige Productions is offering an exciting Spring Break Camp, featuring the show, Lemonade Stand, the Musical. Part of the fun includes performers selling their own lemonade, because what kid doesn’t want to have a lemonade stand? The Spring Break Camp will coincide with a Youth Business Fair. Local students can purchase a $10 table at the Spring Break performance to advertise their youth-led business. Young entrepreneurs ages 8-18 can market and sell their crafts, bracelets, baking, babysitting businesses, and much more. Details and enrollment for these exciting events can be found at www.paigeproductionsAZ.com.
Spring Break Theater Camp 2022
Lemonade Stand, The Musical
Ages 5-14
9 am-3 pm
Camp 1: March 7-11
Camp 2: March 14-18
Summer Camps - Paige Productions will host 8 weeks of summer camp for ages 5-14. The exciting line-up features three musicals and two acting & improvisation classes. The musicals include Disney’s The Jungle Book KIDS, the musical, Aladdin, and the sure-to-sell-out, Annie KIDS. Enrollment is currently open, and selling fast, at
www.paigeproductionsAZ.com.
All camps, classes, events and performances are at Fountain Hills Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall, 13001 N Fountain Hills Blvd., Fountain Hills, AZ 85268. Tickets and enrollment information can be found at www.paigeproductionsAZ.com, or by calling (480)-375-8058. For additional information not included in this press release, please call Paige Beckman at (480) 375-8058.
Seussical KIDS, Disney’s The Jungle Book KIDS, & Annie KIDS are presented through special arrangement with Musical Theater International. All authorized performance materials also provided by MTI. MTIShows.com, 421 W. 54th St, New York, New York 10019, Phone 212-541-4684.
Photos below include the entire cast of Santa’s Send-Off Show, (top image), Rudolph & Santa from Santa’s Send-Off Show, (middle image). & Paige Beckman, Owner/Artistic Director of Paige Productions Youth Theater, (bottom image).
