Meet Megan Dunklee of Stage Door Youth Theatre in Goodyear, Avondale, and Buckeye

Today we’d like to introduce you to Megan Dunklee.

Megan, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
About 15 years ago, I was in my very first theatre show at Western Sky Middle School in Goodyear. I had maybe five lines, but something about it made me feel safe and was more enjoyable than anything I had ever participated in. I should also say that the word introvert sums up who I was, and who I slightly am to this day. After that show, I tried to participate in more theatre classes or performances, but there wasn’t anything close by except for high school theatre. I performed in shows at Millennium High School and continued on to get my undergraduate degree for theatre education at U of A. While there, I interned at numerous children’s theatre in the US knowing that teaching theatre to young adults was my passion. Once I moved back to Goodyear, I noticed that there still was nothing close by. About two months ago, I decided to change that.

I started Stage Door Youth Theatre for the Southwest Valley of Phoenix to bring theatre opportunities closer to the youth in the area. Students ages 5-21 will learn life skills such as creativity, collaboration, confidence, and commitment in order to prepare themselves for future careers. We will start with summer camps and slowly grow into a full time and year-long youth theatre company with daytime, evening, weekend, and school break camps and performances.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The past few months creating Stage Door Youth Theatre has been a strangely perfect rollercoaster ride. Being a theatre teacher in a high school and running those performances has helped me with starting a new business. We research, organize, design, publicize, host events, fundraise, and so much more. I luckily used my knowledge from my show experiences to guide me into starting a new youth theatre. I also found a program called the SBDC which helps new businesses grow with the experience of previous business owners. My SBDC leader has helped me and guided me to people and places to talk to.

As for obstacles, the hardest part of creating a new business is the location and the space. I emailed every school district, charter school, church, youth organization, and rec center to try to get a space to host us. So many emails went into the unknown with no replies or with a kind “Sorry, no.”

It wasn’t until my SBDC meetings that I was referred to the City of Avondale, and they agreed to host us in their space for our first summer camps! I was so nervous this would not happen after all of the meet and greets and publicity to the city. I’m so thankful that the biggest obstacle has been solved!

Stage Door Youth Theatre – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Stage Door Youth Theatre will begin with Summer Camps this 2019 summer. Hopefully, in about five years, we will have grown to a year-round youth theatre with our own space.

We specialize in classes and performances for all types of kids from the young introverts who want to slowly try out theatre, to the performers in their daily lives who sing and dance as they are in the hallways of their school. I also want to offer classes and shows to ages 19-21. I remember turning 19 and wanting more experience acting, but camps only went up to age 18. I still felt like I could grow from more experience, but there was nowhere for me to grow. I want to be able to give those opportunities to young adults in that same situation.

What also sets us apart is that all of our teachers are actual teachers. We know how to plan the classes for an end result, how to work with all types of learners, and what different age groups require to learn new skills. These skills result in a more engaging opportunity for students to bond with others, learn new skills, and put on a show. Other theatres who offer youth opportunities tend to only focus on the final performance. Stage Door will make sure your child leaves with so many skills to take into their lives, in additional to an amazing final show.

How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
We hope in 5-6 years our youth theatre will have a permanent space and will be a full-time theatre. I imagine daytime camps for young students or homeschooled students, afternoon classes after school, and weekend classes as well.

Pricing:

• $150 for 1 week long camps
• $300 for 2 week long musicals

Contact Info:

• Website: www.stagedooryouthaz.com
• Email: stagedooryouthaz@gmail.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stagedooryouthaz

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