COMMUNITY

from The Chandler Arizonan June 12, 2022

OPINION

Chandler native publishes new fantasy series installment

BY JANELLE MOLONY

Contributor

Chandler 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.

Chandler youth theater records another sell-out

BY JANELLE MOLONY

Contributor

Stage 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 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

Ob uaries

480-898-6465 • obits@TimesLocalMedia.com Deadline: Wednesday by 5pm for Sunday

Roy Everett Harris

Harris 89, a Mesa "SnowBird" since 1996 and a permanent resident since 2003, died in Mesa, Arizona, on May 18 , 2022. Mr Harris was born in a remote ranch house near Ewan, Washington, in 1932. He graduated from Whitman College, Walla Walla, and the University of Washington Law School. He practiced Law in Anchorage, Alaska, from 1958 until 1995. He was preceded in death by three wives: Sally Maxon Harris (married 3 years) who passed away in 2021; Marie Schembre Harris (married 35 years) who passed away in 1998; and Susan Shaw Harris (married 12 years) who passed away in 2015. Here in the Valley, he sang with the Phoenix Symphony Chorus and with the ASU Choral Union. He served as narrator for Christmas concerts with the Phoenix Symphony. He appeared on stage with Theater Works in Peoria as Vandergelder in "Hello, Dolly!" and as the Stage Manager in "Our Town" at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Mesa, where he was a choir member, lay reader and vestry member, and where he met Susan Shaw. He is survived by his sister, Mary (Harris Crane) Cowan of Coupeville, Washington; and his three children, Daniel Harris (wife Trudy) of Spokane, Washington; John Harris (wife Robyn) of Cedar City, Utah; and Margo Schembre (husband Mike Dederian) of Portland, Oregon. He is also survived by 7 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, and Susan's children and grandchildren.

Deadline for obituaries is Wednesday at 5pm for Sunday. All obituaries will be approved by our staff prior to being activated. Be aware there may be early deadlines around holidays. Call 480-898-6465 Mon-Fri 8:30-5 if you have questions. Visit: obituaries.TimesLocalMedia.com

Jack Richard Alexander

Jack Richard Alexander, Ph.D. of Chandler, Arizona passed peacefully on Saturday May 7, 2022. He fell victim to Pulmonary Fibrosis and his own stubbornness. He just waited too long to seek medical help. He was born in Santa Ana, California on February 5, 1944. He was the only son of Gerald and June Alexander. He had an active youth, became an Eagle Scout, and got his pilot’s license at 17 years of age. He loved working in machinery and after a few years as a machinist, he became a hot rod driver. A great part of his life was dedicated to pursuing his passion. In his late 20s he became a successful real estate broker in Orange County. In the early 80s he earned his PhD in business administration. His true genius was being a pilot for several companies. He was a Chief Pilot for Skywest Airlines and worked until retirement as a jet captain. After retirement, he worked for a few years in Kona, Hawaii as a broker/office manager for a real estate firm. He enjoyed watching drag racing as well as being crew on Randy Bradford’s racing team out of Washington State. He also, in younger days, was an avid scuba diver, mostly off the big island of Hawaii, exotic dive sites traveler, a Mason and a member of QBs. He was a baritone in the Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity, Kona, Hawaii. Members of his family include his wife of 31 years, Francine Alexander, his three adult children: Steven Alexander of Chandler AZ, Karen Alexander of Highland CA and Kimberly (Ryan) Dempsey of Middleburg VA. He has two grandchildren in Southern California: Jake McManus and Kristina Alexander. Jack’s cremation has taken place and his service will be held at the Masonic Lodge in downtown Chandler on June 18, 2022.