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THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | JUNE 12, 2022
Chandler native publishes new fantasy series installment BY JANELLE MOLONY Contributor
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handler native Parris Sheets, Desert Ridge High School’s color guard coach and now a popular young adult author, has published the third book in her fantasy series, "The Essence of Ohr." The new title, "Beyond the Flame," also contains a secret reveal at the end that is certain to excite fans. Sheets’ books are inspired by her own experiences as a youth and explore a fantastical new universe on the planet Ohr. In the series, a ragtag team of elemental do-gooders fight a fallen god who has sent their world into chaos. The book series is different from many YA novels because of the special challenge that the main character faces. “He goes through a big transformation
Chandler native Parris Sheets holds a copy of her first novel, “Warden’s Reign.” She has published the third book in her fantasy series, “The Essence of Ohr.” (Special to the Arizonan)
in the first book which makes him more vulnerable and more relatable to today’s generation,” Sheets said. In 2015, Sheets began her own personal transformation towards being a healthier, stronger self. She began weightlifting and has since lost 100 lbs. On relating to her main character, she explained, “It’s like, you’ve always been you, but [because of an exterior change] the world sees you as somebody different and with new expectations.” In her fictional book, she coaches youth through the insecurities and doubts that arise with such an event. Sheets’ first book, "Warden’s Reign," published in 2020, won the Pinnacle Book Achievement Award for YA fantasy and secured a bronze medal in the Reader’s Favorite Book Awards for YA fiction. Sheets confessed it took her nearly 10 years to finish. “It was a long and difficult
process, but with a gratifying result,” she explained. Sheets attributed her passion for writing to an encouraging fifth grade teacher she hopes to thank in person one day. In junior high, she read voraciously and felt convicted to write the kind of books that she already loved reading. As a YA author now, she still wants her readers (of any age) to feel like they can “relax and get lost in the story.” By the reviews coming in, it is reasonable to say she has hit the mark. Sheets said fans can expect a surprise in her fourth book, The Hollow Key, in the way the main characters will complete the final leg of their journey. “It’s complicated,” Sheets said, explaining that preview readers have become quite emotional over the book so far. Visit ParrisSheetsAuthor.com and find her first three books on Amazon today.
Sivak, who mentored under Clyde Baker of Baker Performing Arts in Mesa. After the Mesa operation ended in 2020, Sivak opened a new studio out in response to pandemic-related school and community center closures. “It’s never been about what I want to do, but about what do the kids and the community need,” she said. Sivak advertises her studio as being inclusive and taking a whole-child approach. She has intentionally hired skilled instructors with the experience and qualifications for teaching students of all abilities. On working with children who have unique needs, Burke explained: “We just work together and communicate” with the parents and other aids who assist the students. Burke has said that the teaching staff makes it a point to problem solve as they go, and maintain a familial-type support system that includes peer-to-peer teamwork.
Based on public reviews, parents are loving the positive impact the programs have had on their children both at school and at home. As a result, Stage Door Studio is expanding the suite of classes in the Fall to meet the growing demands. After a first-year trial of daytime, homeschooler-filled classes, Burke says the studio is preparing to open two new sections for the 2022-2023 school year to accommodate this demographic. SDS will also offer private piano and voice lessons, to complement ongoing theatrical projects. SDS has recently enrolled in the Class Wallet vendor system so schools and private educators can easily incorporate music and theatre classes or workshops into their curriculum. Tickets for the June performances of "Moana Jr." and July’s "Chicago" go on sale soon and announcements for the fall programs will be right behind. Information: StageDoorStudioAZ.com
Chandler youth theater records another sell-out BY JANELLE MOLONY Contributor
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tage Door Studio, located in the Chandler Marketplace at Ray and Alma School, has done it again. After the initial summer theatre program in 2021 sold out within hours of promoting, studio owner Tiffany Selene Sivak has doubled her efforts to provide more opportunities this year for local children to explore their creative side. Still, every one of the four week-long summer camps for 2022 has sold out, along with their two-week intensive Broadway Jr. camp. The hype over summer theatre has the director of the upcoming Disney musical, Moana Jr., excited. “I grew up in a tiny, little town where I had nothing like this… [Now,] it’s super fulfilling for me to be the person giving that opportunity to kids,” said Sarah Burke. Burke is a former music teacher
for Bright Beginnings in Chandler, and former director of the East Valley’s CommUNITY Choir. Sivak has also just announced the open casting of a second show this summer, Chicago. Casting began June 4 but interested families can reach out to the studio to register for this teen-edition of the (modified) saucy jailhouse musical late, to accommodate the last-minute notice. “Every show we’ve done has been a successful and fun experience for the kids and for us,” said musical director Sarah Burke, who recently directed The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast with the theater group. She saaid in her new career avenue, she’s witnessed how powerful theatre is for kids’ confidence and overall development. “It’s a fun way to empower them to believe in themselves–– and not just on stage,” she remarked. Stage Door Studio is a female-owned, Christian business run by actor-dancer-choreographer
