New West Valley Youth Theatre is All About the Creativity!

PEORIA, Ariz., Sept. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Creative Stages Youth Theatre proudly
announces new opportunities to become involved in theatre, with its first fund
raiser, plays, and workshops. The troupe will perform its benefit show,
Curtains Up! on Sunday, September 13 to boost its premiere season.

Curtains Up! begins with live music, desserts, and auctions at 5 p.m. at
Dramagenics Theatre, 8815 W. Peoria Ave., Peoria. A music and comedy variety
show featuring dozens of young performers begins at 6 p.m. Admission is $25.
Purchase tickets online http://csyt.org or contact Leslie Murdock at
leslie@csyt.org to reserve tickets.

Curtains Up! helps fund the theatre's workshops and inaugural season, opening
October 9 with the Halloween show Theatre of Screams.

Creative Stages makes theatrical education accessible to more kids, with
workshops such as "$10 Wednesdays" starting September 30, and "CSYT for Free"
on October 10. Young people ages 9-18 can try out acting for the first time,
while other young actors can continue their training in a fun setting. The
workshops cover audition tips, character work, improvisation, and more. See
http://csyt.org for more information.

CSYT may be new, but its founders are an accomplished and dedicated extended
family who has worked together for years to build a foundation in the arts for
children and young adults.

Creative Stages is the brainchild of playwright, actor and director Jim
Gradillas, a 20-year veteran of youth theatre. "I love what I do, and always
wanted a place where kids come to feel comfortable, be creative, train and
have fun!" Gradillas said. "I have that now."

Gradillas has worked for many Valley organizations, including Phoenix Theatre,
Greasepaint Youth Theatre, Arizona Jewish Theatre, and Valley Youth Theatre.
He has earned dozens of nominations for ariZoni Awards of Theatre Excellence,
garnering wins for Directing, Writing, Sound Design, and Overall Production.

As Youth Programs Manager at Theater Works for the past three years, Gradillas
built a strong youth program with camps, outreach events and a full season of
plays. His first season won 11 ariZonis for the Theater Works youth program.
His last season of youth plays received 43 nominations, announced this summer.

Theater Works eliminated his position as a result of budget cuts. "I was very
pleased about what I did at Theater Works, and very sad that it had to end.
Theater Works has always been very supportive of my efforts," said Gradillas.

Gradillas had always wanted to start a new youth theatre. "There was an
outpouring of support to bring a new youth theatre to the West Valley," he
said. He was impressed by how many parents and young people wanted the same
thing. "Over my career, I feel that I was able to create a fun and safe
environment where kids can come and do this risky theatre stuff. This theatre
already has a family feel to it, and I am so excited!"

For more information and press photos, see http://csyt.org

SOURCE Creative Stages Youth Theatre

Jim Gradillas, Artistic Director, of Creative Stages Youth Theatre,
+1-602-486-9476, jim@csyt.org