Meet Joel Cranson of Tempe

Today we’d like to introduce you to Joel Cranson.

Hi Joel, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My journey into theatre started thanks to my sister, who’s six years older than me. My sister was involved in drama in school and used to drag me along to see productions. Somewhere along the way, something clicked—I knew I wanted to be up there too. I started making little skits and sketches at home, putting on shows for my family. I loved performing, entertaining, creating something from nothing.

In high school, I threw myself into theatre and music. I studied at Marcos de Niza in Tempe, where I was president of the drama club. I sang in choir and performed in both musicals and straight plays. Around that time, I also discovered children’s theatre and began performing with Valley Youth Theatre under the direction of Bobb Cooper. Bobb was a huge influence on me—he showed me what it meant to take young performers seriously and hold them to high standards.

After high school, I attended Mesa Community College and continued studying theatre. I performed with both the theatre and music departments and was fortunate to work with some truly incredible mentors: Lyn Dutson, Sandy Elias, and Gary Stephens. They were all very different directors, and each taught me something unique. Lyn, in particular, opened major doors for me—she gave me my first opportunities to direct professionally, not just as a student, but as part of the main stage season right after I graduated. That early trust meant a lot.

From there, I went on to earn my degree in theatre with an emphasis in directing from Grand Canyon University. While it was a very different environment than what I’d experienced before, it helped me round out my education and gave me the credentials I needed to continue growing in the field.

Eventually, I was invited to direct at East Valley Children’s Theatre (EVCT) by Karen Rolston, the company’s founder and first artistic director. At the time, I wasn’t sure if children’s theatre was my thing. But in 2010, she offered me the chance to direct an original piece called The Goats Gruff—and I was available, so I said yes. I’m so glad I did. The kids were incredible, the script was strong, and the organization was impressively professional. I’d worked with other community theatres before, but EVCT stood out. It was tightly run, full of talent, and clearly built on love and dedication.

That first experience spoiled me in the best way. Since then, I’ve directed in other places and had a mix of experiences—but I always come back to EVCT. Even after Karen retired, her successor Bryanna Patrick Blanco—who, coincidentally, was a classmate of mine at MCC—stepped in and carried the legacy forward. The company has evolved, but it still feels like home.

Now, I get to support and believe in these young artists the same way my mentors did for me. It feels like a full-circle moment, and I’m incredibly grateful to be part of that.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
For the most part, I’ve been really lucky. It’s been a relatively smooth road, and I’ve had the privilege of working with some amazing people along the way. That said, there have definitely been moments of uncertainty and redirection.

Early in my college years, for example, I was very focused on musicals and ended up enrolling in the Lyric Opera program at Arizona State University. It’s a fantastic program, but I quickly realized it wasn’t the right fit for me or the kind of storytelling I wanted to pursue. It was a bit of a false start. I ended up returning to Mesa Community College to reset and figure out my next steps—and as it turned out, that was exactly where I needed to be.

Later, toward the end of Karen Rolston’s time as Artistic Director at EVCT, I started to wonder if that chapter of my life might be coming to a close. With the coming leadership change and the uncertainty of the post-quarantine world, I hadn’t directed in a couple of years, and I wasn’t sure if there would still be a place for me at the company. I really thought I might be done.

But then, things fell into place in a very unexpected and beautiful way. Bryanna Patrick Blanco stepped into the Artistic Director role—someone I’d known since our MCC days—and she wanted to keep collaborating. That one decision brought me back and introduced me to a whole new generation of kids and creative energy. I came so close to walking away, but I’m so glad I didn’t.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a director with a strong focus on youth theatre. I mostly work with young actors—helping them grow not only as performers, but also as confident, creative individuals. I’ve spent much of my directing career at East Valley Children’s Theatre, where I’ve had the chance to stage everything from original works to big-name musicals—all with kids at the heart of the storytelling.

In recent years, I’ve kind of fallen into the role of the musical guy. It wasn’t really something I planned, but looking back, it makes sense—my early background was in musicals, and I performed in quite a few as a student. Now, I’m the one directing some of the big musical productions each season. I directed The Lion King Jr. in the 2022–23 season, Anastasia: Youth Edition in 2023–24, and Elf Jr. just this past winter. Next up: Disney’s Frozen Jr. I guess once you stage a show with a singing lion or a perpetually happy elf, you earn a certain reputation.

What I’m probably best known for is how I work with young casts. I take their talent seriously and hold them to high standards—just like my mentors did for me. I try to create an environment where kids feel challenged, supported, and genuinely proud of what they create. I believe young people are capable of far more than they’re often given credit for, and my goal is always to make sure they leave a production feeling seen, celebrated, and changed in some way.

What sets me apart, I think, is my mix of professionalism and play. I care deeply about storytelling and run a focused rehearsal process, but I also want it to be fun. I want kids to leave rehearsal laughing, thinking, and feeling like they’re part of something special. And I want them to know that every role, every moment, every voice matters.

What I’m most proud of isn’t a particular production—it’s the kids. It’s the ones who’ve come through the process and stayed connected to theatre, or to their creativity, or even just to each other. I still hear from former cast members who’ve gone on to pursue the arts, or who tell me that their time in theatre helped shape who they are. That kind of impact is why I keep doing what I do.

Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
Come see a show at East Valley Children’s Theatre.

A lot of people hear “children’s theatre” and assume they’re about to watch something like a fourth-grade school play. What they don’t realize is that children’s theatre can be powerful, polished, and absolutely captivating. What we create at EVCT—and what our peers are creating at other children’s theatres around the Valley—consistently defies expectations.

Audience members come in expecting something cute and casual, and they end up laughing, crying, and jumping to their feet for a standing ovation. I can’t tell you how many people walk out of our shows stunned by the level of talent and professionalism on stage.

Yes, we make theatre by kids and for kids—but it’s real theatre. Our directors, music directors, choreographers, and designers are all professionals in their fields. We hold our young performers to a high standard, and time and time again, they rise to the challenge. These kids will absolutely blow you away.

So yes—it’s children’s theatre. But it’s also theatre. Beautiful. Funny. Honest. Moving. Our audiences don’t leave saying, “That was great—for a children’s show.” They leave saying, “That was great.” Period.

Pricing:

• $24.75 includes taxes and fees

Contact Info:

• Website: https://evct.org
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/evctorg/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eastvalleychildrenstheatre/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@EastValleyChildrensTheatre
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/east-valley-childrens-theatre-evct-mesa
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@evctorg

Image Credits
Brenda Cranson, Lisa Olson, Emily Penrod