Center Stage: Passing the Torch and Launching Our August Academy Classes
Performance finale for the 2026 summer camp class: K-Pop Krew! Photo: Hans Creative Studios
Welcome back to another edition of Center Stage! While our cast and crew are backstage pouring energy into our upcoming summer mainstage production of The Wizard of Oz, we are also thrilled to look ahead to our upcoming educational season.
This August, we are bringing back the core academy programs that our community knows and loves, while introducing brand-new creative spaces designed to connect our town through the performing arts.
A Heartfelt Thank You to Dani Yardley
Before we look forward, we want to pause and express our deepest gratitude to someone who has poured her heart, soul, and immense talent into the Broadway Maricopa family. Dani Yardley has done incredible work building up our academy programs, serving our local youth, and laying a foundational framework that truly works.
While she hands off the director reins this season, Dani isn't going far—she is currently hard at work creating the spectacular, custom wardrobe designs for The Wizard of Oz! We are immensely grateful for everything she has built here, and we cannot wait for you to see her stunning artistic vision come to life on stage when the curtains rise on July 31st. Thank you, Dani!
Meet Sarah Rosendahl
Welcoming Our New Academy Director: Sarah Rosendahl
As we step into this next block of classes, we are incredibly excited to introduce our new Academy Director, Sarah Rosendahl!
Sarah's own love for the stage began in the 10th grade when she auditioned for her high school's spring performance of Once Upon a Mattress and proudly landed a role in the ensemble. By her junior year, she was all-in with the theater department—auditioning for every play and signing up for every drama class available. That formative experience provided immense personal confidence and a vital social outlet, inspiring her to pursue theater education in college with the dream of teaching high school students.
Though life ultimately took her in different professional directions for 15 years, her spark for the stage never truly went out. After moving to Maricopa, Arizona, Sarah saw an open audition notice for a children's play and asked her daughter if she wanted to be a part of it. While helping her daughter prepare, Sarah was hit with a powerful wave of nostalgia and a reminder of just how much she loved the theater world—but realized local options for adult performance were limited.
Now, as our Academy Director, Sarah is eager to step behind the scenes to continue championing our exceptional youth and teen programs while actively expanding our creative spaces for local adults.
"I hope that Broadway Maricopa can connect our community, both through class participation and community performances," Sarah shares. "I hope that those—like me—with theater backgrounds can reconnect with something they used to love, and that those who haven't yet tried it can find a spark for something completely new."
📧 Academy Questions? Sarah would love to hear from you! Reach out directly to her official email at: srosendahl@broadwaymaricopa.com.
Discover Your Next Creative Opportunity: Our August Lineup
A brand-new month brings incredible opportunities for our community to step into the spotlight. Explore the exciting educational tracks launching next month:
🎶 Show Choir (Ages 6–17) — Starts Monday, August 3rd!
The Experience: Sing, dance, and shine on stage! This 7-week program combines vocal performance, choreography, and theatrical expression. Students will build confidence, teamwork, and musical skills in a high-energy environment, culminating in a live showcase performance for family and friends during the final week. (Classes are split into two dedicated age brackets for tailored instruction).
Schedule: Meets consecutive Mondays beginning August 3, 2026. The final class and performance will take place on Monday September 21st, 2026.
Location: Aiming for Heritage Academy (Pending final facility approval).
🎬 Acting Basics (Ages 6–17) — Starts Friday, August 7th!
The Experience: Discover the foundations of stage acting in this fun and supportive class designed for young performers. Students will learn essential acting skills including character development, voice projection, stage movement, improvisation, script reading, and working with scene partners. Through theater games, exercises, and short scenes, students will build confidence, creativity, and communication skills while learning how to bring stories and characters to life. Whether they are new to the stage or looking to strengthen their skills, Acting Basics is the perfect place to begin their theater journey! (Classes are split into two dedicated age brackets for tailored instruction).
Schedule: Extensive 12-week block meeting consecutive Fridays from August through November. Starts: Friday, August 7, 2026
Location: Aiming for the Maricopa Public Library (Pending final facility approval).
🎲 Adults Improv (Ages 18+) — Starts Tuesday, August 11th!
The Experience: This welcoming improv class is designed for adults of all experience levels—from complete beginners to seasoned performers. Through fun games, scene work, and group activities, you'll build confidence, creativity, communication skills, and teamwork in a supportive, judgment-free environment. Whether you're looking to sharpen your public speaking, meet new people, reduce stress, or simply have a great time, you'll leave each class feeling energized, encouraged, and ready for whatever comes your way. No memorization, no pressure—just laughter, connection, and the freedom to say, "Yes, and!"
Schedule: 6-week evening block meeting consecutive Tuesdays. Starts: Tuesday, August 11, 2026
Location: To Be Determined (Stay tuned for location details!).
A Sneak Peek: Fall Break Workshops (Early October)
While our immediate focus is on welcoming everyone into our upcoming August blocks, here is a quick look ahead for families planning out their school calendars for early October. Official registration for these modules will open up later this summer:
Fractured Fairytales: What happens when fairy tales get mixed up? In this fun-filled theater workshop, young actors will create silly characters, unexpected twists, and laugh-out-loud endings while building confidence, creativity, and stage skills.
High School Musical: Get your head in the game and join us for a fast-paced, fun-filled theater workshop inspired by High School Musical! Young performers will learn songs, scenes, and choreography from this beloved musical as they bring the story of Troy, Gabriella, and the Wildcats to life.
Kids Confidence Lab: Confidence isn't something you're born with—it's something you build! In this fun, high-energy improv class, kids and teens will play interactive theater games that strengthen communication, creativity, quick thinking, and teamwork in a supportive, encouraging environment. As they learn to trust themselves and one another, students develop valuable life skills like public speaking, problem-solving, active listening, adaptability, and resilience—all while laughing, making new friends, and having a blast. Whether your child is naturally outgoing or a little shy, the Kids Confidence Lab is a safe place to grow, take creative risks, and discover the confidence to shine both on and off the stage.
Shape the Future: Take Our Community Surveys
We want Broadway Maricopa to be a direct reflection of your creative interests. To help us plan out our late fall, winter, and upcoming 2027 calendar, we have opened two quick community interest surveys. Tell us exactly what you want to see built next!
👤 Survey 1: Adult Performance Group Opportunities
We are looking to expand our creative, judgment-free outlets for adults in Maricopa. Use this survey to vote on the specific types of classes you want us to bring to town, including:
Traditional Acting Blocks (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced)
Stand-Up Comedy & Sketch Comedy
Film Acting, Screenwriting, and Short-Film Production
Voiceover & Voice Work Workshops
Tell us your preferences: Let us know your scheduling sweet spots (weeknights vs. Saturdays) and your primary goals—whether you're looking to learn a new skill, shake off work stress, or reconnect with something you used to love!
👉Click Here to Take the Adult Performance Survey
🎒 Survey 2: Kids & Teens Performance Opportunities
Performing arts help children build unshakeable self-confidence, strong public speaking skills, and collaborative emotional intelligence. Help us tailor our youth schedule to set your family up for absolute success:
Vote on Core Classes: Tell us if your child is most interested in acting basics, full stage productions, improv, musicals, or specialized film and voice work.
Customized Scheduling: Let us know if you prefer 1-to-2-week school break bootcamps, Wednesday evening sessions, or specialized Friday morning/afternoon blocks designed specifically to fit into homeschool, micro-school, and ESA family calendars.
Tuition & Funding: Share your expectations regarding lesson costs, tell us if you'll be utilizing ESA funds, and let us know if you'd be interested in trading volunteer hours for an academy tuition discount!
👉Click Here to Take the Kids & Teens Performance Survey
Claim Your Spot & Choose Your Perfect Seats
Spaces for our August educational sessions are open and ready for registration. Additionally, our seating chart for The Wizard of Oz is fully open—giving you the perfect opportunity to hand-pick prime, front-row and center-section views before opening night arrivals begin!
