Childsplay Thunderbirds Charities

Thunderbirds Charities Awards $25,000 to Support Childsplay’s In-School Performance Programs

Thunderbirds Charities generously awarded $25,000 to Childsplay to support its In-school Performance Program. In-School Performances form the core of Childsplay’s operations, presenting nearly 350 performances annually; bringing professional theatre productions to schools across the state. More than half of Childsplay’s school audiences live at or below the poverty level. “The goal of the In-School Performance Program is to provide access to theatre and arts education to all Arizona children by removing financial and geographical barriers. This is possible because of the support from Thunderbirds Charites. We are grateful for their generosity.” said Ernesto Ortiz, Director of Development at Childsplay. It is estimated that one in five Arizona K-6 students will see a Childsplay production at their school. All performances are specifically tied to both academic curriculum and the experience of being a child today.

Funding from Thunderbirds Charities supports the return of LIVE In-School Performances of THE BOOK OF DRAGONS, based on the book of short ‘dragon stories’ by Edith Nesbit, and DREAMERS, a poetic adaptation of Yuri Morales’ story that tells of resilience, hope, and the courage to find one’s voice. Additionally, funding from Thunderbirds Charities helped to provide the adjunct Childsplay program, Imagine Together Online. Developed in response to COVID-19 the program offers as a ‘virtual’ option of offerings, for students and school who are not ready or cannot attend live in-person performances. The virtual offerings are designed to meet the needs of Arizona teachers and families by promoting literacy development, social/emotional development, and physical activity.

Childsplay

This grant is part of the Fall 2021 cycle. View a list of all Recent Grantees.