Chandler Youth Theatre is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to producing plays, musicals, classes, workshops, and more. We operate as a no-cut theatre, ensuring that every participant gets a part in our productions. Our mission is to provide an inclusive and supportive environment where children can explore their creativity and develop their talents.
Chris graduated with a BBA from New Mexico State University and has an MBA from Grand Canyon University’s Colangelo College of Business. Chris has worked in credit risk management, financial management, and banking laws and regulations since 2003.
Since 2012, he has served as President of his community HOA, as well as led the elementary school’s Dads Club for five years. He is driven by community involvement. Chris’ expertise is in financial analysis and finance and brings this strength to Chandler Youth Theatre. He and his wife have four children, love to travel, and have lived in Chandler since 2009.
After receiving her MFA in Creative Writing from UNLV, Mandy taught composition and literature at the high school and college levels. Serving as the Assistant Director of the Arizona Educational Foundation, she secured over $100K in grant funding to support Arizona’s great educators. As a digital sales professional, her experience includes Senior Elite Account Executive at Yelp, Digital Sales Consultant at Realtor.com, and she is currently a Merchant Growth Executive at DoorDash.
A performer at Chandler’s Improv Mania comedy club from 2014 – 2020, Mandy is passionate about supporting the performing arts and giving as many children as possible the opportunity to participate. She’s the proud mom of an 18-year-old daughter, who recently won the role of Gabriella in High School Musical at Sunnyslope High School!
David and Colleen Specht founded Chandler Youth Theatre a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization in 2018. Chandler Youth Theatre aims to cultivate an inclusive learning environment where youth from all backgrounds can pursue theater, create art, and collaborate in a production.
David enjoyed a 20 year corporate career in Talent Acquisition and Talent Management.
David and Colleen Specht are the proud founders of ImprovMANIA Comedy Club in Historic Downtown Chandler which he founded with his wife, Colleen, in 2014. He has performed comedy, taught improv classes, and facilitated corporate workshops for over 20 years. His leadership, creativity and his ability to connect with people is an amazing attribute to the team and will ensure you have a powerhouse in your corner.
Since 2003 Tina has served as Vice President of Top Line Restaurants, a franchisee of several national restaurant brands, handling real estate and finance. Tina has served as Chairman of a National non-profit environmental advocacy group, proudly serves on the national board of Cookies for Kids Cancer and has served on several local boards focused on education. A proud parent to two theater kids and a former Improv performer she is passionate about the arts and their importance in the lives of audiences and performers alike.
Krista’s love for theatre began as an actor in her junior high and high school productions. She minored in Theatre Education at Northern Arizona University and has her Master’s in Educational Leadership and taught Social Studies and Theatre classes, directed shows and worked as an Assistant Principal at Skyline High School in Mesa, Arizona. Krista and her husband have two daughters and she is a Realtor, which allows her time to volunteer in the community as the Haley Elementary PTO President, YMCA volleyball coach, Assistant Director for the Haley Drama Club, and Vice President of her HOA board. Krista especially loves watching the magic of live theatre by serving on the Board of Chandler Youth Theatre.
Director of Chandler Youth Theatre Company and Teen productions & Instructor of Private Lessons
Sabrina’s film credits include Becoming Me (Short Documentary), Dreamboard (Short Film), and Where Are You Going, Sweetheart? (Short Film). Her theatre credits include Jenna in Waitress, Ali in Rent, DeeDee in Suds, Silly Girl in Beauty and the Beast, and Patty Simcox in Grease.
Sabrina is grateful to be part of the Chandler Youth Theatre family and looks forward to creating an exciting experience for our performers and audiences.
When it comes to youth improv training, no one brings more experience, credibility, and passion than Amanda..
Keith Burns stands among the most accomplished theatre directors and educators in the nation, with a career spanning more than 25 years as an actor, director, improviser, and mentor to countless young artists. A graduate of Pepperdine University with a B.A. in Theater Arts,
Keith has built an extraordinary reputation for excellence in both performance and arts education.Currently serving as Director of Arts at Phoenix Country Day School, Keith has directed and taught hundreds of productions, workshops, and classes, shaping the next generation of performers with his unmatched blend of artistry, rigor, and inspiration. His directing credits encompass a remarkable range—from Shakespearean classics to contemporary musicals—each infused with his hallmark focus on collaboration, creativity, and personal growth.
Beyond the classroom and stage, Keith is a seasoned performer and a core member of ImprovMANIA Comedy Troupe since 2014, where his quick wit and dynamic presence have made him a cornerstone of the Valley’s comedy and theatre scene.
Keith’s influence extends far beyond Arizona. As a director, educator, and performer, his name is synonymous with integrity, innovation, and transformative theatre experiences. Parents, students, and colleagues alike praise his ability to unlock confidence, elevate talent, and foster lifelong passion for the arts.
Chandler Youth Theatre is honored to welcome Keith as a director, where he brings not only decades of experience but also the prestige of a career dedicated to excellence in American theatre.Keith lives in Chandler with his wife, Karen, along with their two dogs and a cat, and is the proud father of two grown daughters in San Francisco and Mesa.
Shana Schwarz is a theater kid who grew up to be a theater mom with three talented children who light up her life. She has been performing since she could walk/talk and can be found singing show tunes most days. She loves to perform in local community theater productions and especially loves working with kids for their shows as a singing and stage presence specialist. She’s also an author with several books out and even more coming soon. She aspires to make the lives of those around her better with kindness, encouragement, and by helping the kids she works with understand just how special these days in youth theater are.
Megan Longton recently earned her M.A. in Theatre with a specialization in Drama Therapy from Kansas State University, following her B.F.A. in Musical Theatre from the University of Mississippi. Having performed and volunteered at numerous youth theaters across the valley since eighth grade, she is thrilled to return and continue nurturing a passion for theatre. Megan is eager to work with the valley’s talented young performers!
Lizzie Baggleman has nearly 20 years of experience in the Phoenix theater community as a performer, director, choreographer, and teaching artist. She began performing as a child and has since worked with community, youth, and professional theaters across the Valley. For eight summers, she served as a teaching artist at The Phoenix Theatre Company, where she mentored hundreds of young performers. She also spent nine years teaching life skills at Arizona School for the Arts, where she bridged academics and the arts through student programming, observations, and retention initiatives.
Lizzie has directed and choreographed throughout the Valley but has found a home at Chandler Youth Theatre as the resident teacher for the 5-12 age range, and she is ecstatic. She is also a member of the board of directors at Mesa Encore Theater. She is pursuing her Master’s in Arts Management & Leadership at the University of Oklahoma, deepening her commitment to education, advocacy, and community collaboration in the arts.
Passionate about storytelling, mentorship, and fostering creativity, Lizzie strives to build sustainable arts ecosystems that inspire and uplift future generations.
Kristi is a highly qualified theatre educator and school administrator with over a decade of experience inspiring and guiding young performers. A proud Sun Devil, she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Theatre Arts along with two Master’s degrees in Special Education and Educational Leadership from Arizona State University.
Kristi has taught theatre and directed countless productions for middle school and high school students, and has also served as a school leader, coordinating student life programs and arts events that bring communities together. Her background includes working as a Disney World character and parade performer, a role that first sparked her passion for working with young people and sharing the magic of performance.
Here at Chandler Youth Theatre, Kristi is excited to create inclusive, fun, and challenging opportunities for students to grow both on stage and off. She lives right here in Chandler with her husband, their young son, and two sweet Bassett hounds.
We know our families will love Kristi’s energy, creativity, and dedication to helping every child shine!
Nicole Riddering is a performer and teaching artist based in Phoenix, Arizona, and Orlando, Florida. She holds a Master of Music in Music Theatre from Arizona State University and a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida.
Nicole has over seven years of experience teaching private voice and piano lessons, and two years of college classroom instruction. In addition to her work with Chandler Youth Theatre, she serves as a teaching artist at The Phoenix Theatre Company. She loves creating engaging, and personalized lessons that inspire growth in each student. Nicole is dedicated to helping young performers build confidence, develop their artistry, and discover the joy of music.
Gabrielle Johnson has almost two decades of experience in singing, dancing, and acting! After studying Music Education-voice at the Fred Fox school of Music at University of Arizona, she began teaching voice at Desert Hill community school of Music. Gabi is excited to apply her passion for music and performance to every show she is involved in at Chandler youth theatre!
Brissa Trondle is a Master’s student in Performance Pedagogy with an emphasis in Voice at Arizona State University. She graduated with her Bachelor’s in Music Education at Texas State University. Her love for performing and teaching started as a student in High school. She hopes to create an inclusive environment that cultivates students into the best musicians and performers they can be. She has experience working with the Hill Country Youth Chorus as a Section Leader, the Houston Grand Opera as a Music Teaching Assistant, and as a Camp Counselor with The Phoenix Theatre Company. She is excited to help students find their voice through music at the Chandler Youth Theatre.
Monica Gellman brings over 40 years of experience as a performer and educator, with expertise in vocal coaching, piano, choral conducting, music theory, dance, choreography, and acting. She has music directed productions at the middle school, high school, and community theatre levels and most recently served as Interim Choir Director at Desert Vista High School. Monica holds a B.A. in Criminal Justice from Indiana University, where she performed with the Grammy-nominated Singing Hoosiers, and a J.D. from Arizona State University College of Law.
Jana Gorodishter is a music educator, director, music director, and choreographer who loves helping young performers discover what they’re capable of both onstage and off. With a Bachelor of Music in Musical Theatre from Arizona State University and a background in elementary and music education, Jana brings together professional training, years of teaching experience, and a deep understanding of how kids learn and grow. She has directed and choreographed youth productions, led school choirs, taught music and theatre across a wide range of ages, and developed arts education programs throughout the Valley. Above all, Jana believes theatre should be a place where kids feel safe to take risks, supported by the adults around them, and proud of the work they create together. She strives to build rehearsal rooms rooted in kindness, encouragement, high expectations, and a genuine love of performing.
Samuel “Sam” Rodgers is a music educator, performer, director, and music director with a Master’s of Music from Arizona State University and five years of experience teaching elementary music in Vermont public schools. Trained in flute and voice, Sam brings extensive experience in music education, performance, arranging, and youth development. He is passionate about helping young performers grow through music and theatre.
Chandler Youth Theatre is a 501(c)(3) non profit. Tax ID 84-3061640
