About Us
The magic of live performance is an art that draws many people to the theatre time and time again. However, many families do not have the financial funds to see professional productions, which is why the Theatre 4 Kids Foundation was created. The Theatre 4 Kids Foundation is exempt from federal income tax under Internal Revenue Code Section 501 (c)(3).
Our Mission
The Theatre 4 Kids Foundation aims to inspire the next generation of artists, designers, and performers by providing high quality performing arts experiences to students and their families.
Our Vison
The theatre is dear to many people because it is a place to escape. A world where you are completely immersed in the character, setting, and story of the performance. A type of art that can never be replicated in another form. However, The Theatre 4 Kids Foundation also recognizes that theatre is extremely important to education. It teaches students skills like public speaking, professionalism, and organization, but it also shapes them as people. Teaching students confidence, determination, and most importantly empathy. In a world where we see less and less love in the world, we must fund the next generation of artists because in doing so we create a better future. The Theatre 4 Kids Foundation envisions this future where every student interested in the performing arts can experience it to the fullest extent.
What We Do
Before the Show
The Theatre 4 Kids Foundation acquires tickets from middle school, high school, local, and professional theatres. We then partner with the theatre teachers of those schools to connect us to the students and their families. Using a series of forms and emails the foundation gives all the information the families need, including location, time, and ticket pickup.
At the Show
The Theatre 4 Kids (T4K) team will set up at a designated location to meet the students and their families at the venue. The T4K team will check the families in, and give them their tickets. After that, the team will stay at their station to answer any questions and provide feedback forms.
After the Show
The students and their families will be sent an email thanking them for participating in a Theatre 4 Kids event. The email will also include an additional feedback form, upcoming events, and mailing list. The foundation will then be able to notify families to apply to see more new shows.
Our Values
At the Theatre 4 Kids Foundation, we commend people who are creative, resilient, ambitious, and professional.
Meet Our Team
Elena Calysn
Vice President
Elena Calsyn is a high school student who loves to express herself through the performing arts, specifically musical theatre. She has been a part of many theatrical productions throughout her life, and some of her favorite roles she has played include Pyramus in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Mrs. Wormwood in Matilda the Musical. Elena is both state-wide and internationally ranked superior for musical theatre by the Educational Theatre Program at the International Thespian Festival. Theatre is a very important part of Elena’s life, and she thinks that every individual should have the opportunity to experience one of the world’s most meaningful and entertaining art forms. Elena hopes to share the joy of theatre to as many students as possible.
Caden Peng
Founder & President
Caden Peng is a 15-year-old high school student trained in singing, dancing, and acting. He has been in over 17 theatrical productions and has performed at distinguished venues such as the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and Strathmore Music Center. He made his television debut on Maryland Public Television in The Legacy of Hal Prince and is state and nationally ranked superior by the International Thespian Festival/Educational Theatre Association. The two favorite roles he has played are Trunchbull (Matilda the Musical) and the White Rabbit (Alice in Wonderland). Caden hopes to inspire more young students to find the performing arts and to create a world where theatre can be enjoyed by everyone.
Eleanor Campione
Book Keeper
Eleanor Campione is a sophomore in high school who loves everything performing arts. She has played three instruments and is currently a soprano in her choir. She has loved theatre since her very first play in middle school, where she was Rose in The Alibis, and got to perform a stage fight. Beyond that, her favorite role has been the Acrobat in Matilda the Musical. She also preformed the song “Mama I’m a Big Girl Now” with two other students at the Virginia Thespian Festival, and their performance was recognized by the state as superior. Theatre has become a fundamental part of who she is as a person, and she hopes that she can help kids find a passion in theatre like she once did.