DFT Youth Education Program

Enhancing the quality of life in the community

Desert Foothills Theater is dedicated to enriching the lives of children through educational theater activities and opportunities. Our outreach programs exist to build strong collaborations with the communities we serve; to cultivate new talent; to nurture and excite the theater audiences of tomorrow; and to enrich our youth audience’s appreciation and understanding through high quality workshops and hands-on experience. Our Youth Education Program (YEP) makes it possible for kids and teenagers to enjoy and benefit from DFT, helping make our theater a valuable community resource.

Our Youth Education Program provides:

Young Artists Scholarships given to deserving graduating high school seniors for the advancement and education of the promising, young performing arts artist.
Young Performers Theater Workshops in which a professional theater instructor guides kids and teenagers through an exploration of various theater skills such as acting, writing, directing, auditioning, character creation, and theater appreciation. These youth workshops build new skills, cooperation, confidence, and self-esteem.
Technical Theater and Production Training through youth internship scholarships and stipends. High school students learn how to operate theater technical equipment like lighting and sound boards, and are also instructed in backstage and technical production operation.
School Partnerships: We provide hands-on experience for students through internships and technical theater opportunities during the season; providing youth a high quality experience working with theater professionals.
Student Tickets: Low-cost tickets are offered to students who might otherwise be unable to attend the theater.

Desert Foothills Theater gratefully acknowledges the support of Target Stores as Youth Education Program Leading Role Sponsors for the 2005-2006 season.

For information about Youth Education Program sponsorship opportunities, contact Desert Foothills Theater at (480) 488-1981 or email info@desertfoothillstheater.com.

Desert Foothills Theater Announces Scholarship Recipients
In front of a crowd of more than 400 theatergoers, Desert Foothills Theater introduced the DFT Scholarship Award recipients for 2005. Every year as part of the DFT Youth Education Program, Desert Foothills Theater awards two $500 scholarships to deserving graduating high school seniors in the Scottsdale, Cave Creek, Deer Valley and Paradise Valley school districts. These students have demonstrated excellence in the performing arts, academic studies and community service and plan to continue in the performing arts after graduation.

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Desert Foothills Theater Scholarship recipients Joel Pellini and Gina DiRado
(photo by: Vickilyn Hussey)

This year’s award recipients are Gina DiRado, an honor student at Cactus Shadows High School, and Joel Pellini, an honor student at Goldwater High School. “I find theatrical singing to be an endlessly electrifying form of expression,” says DFT award recipient Gina DiRado who will be studying music at Santa Clara University in the honors program.

Joel Pellini will be attending the University of Arizona in the theater arts honors program. “This broad liberal arts education will give me such a background that I may transcend the stage, and reach a new level where music, film, and theater are meshed together into one inspiring hybrid art form.” Joel’s goals include teaching theater to the underserved in the community, “I would like to reach out and bring as many people unfamiliar with the art form into the auditorium to see their eyes light up.”

The awards were presented at the final performance of the 2004-2005 Desert Foothills 30th Anniversary Season.

Desert Foothills Theater is a program of the Foothills Community Foundation.

Desert Foothills Theater Adds New Classes to After-School Program
Desert Foothills Theater is adding classes to its After-School Acting Class schedule. The first series of DFT classes for children grades 1 through 5 filled to capacity. Desert Foothills Theater will form two more classes to accommodate those on the waiting list and any interested students. The registration fee is $60 per child. A limited number of scholarships are available through Desert Foothills Theater’s Youth Education Program.

For information or to register your child, please contact Desert Foothills Theater at (480) 488-1981. All classes will be held at the DFT Workshop space in Spanish Village at 7211 Ho Road, Suite 24, Carefree. The DFT After-School Acting Classes are sponsored by Scottsdale League for the Arts and Target Stores.