Founded in 2011 in Los Angeles, CA, Creating Arts is an educational performing and visual arts company designed to inspire, enrich and educate youth through the performing and visual arts.

We are a dedicated team of professional performers and educators with international, national, off-Broadway and Broadway experience, who create high quality, extraordinary theatrical experiences, classes, camps and parties for children and families throughout Southern California. Our Giving Back program offers outreach and educational performing and visual arts programs to hospitals, communities and at risk youth.

Our shows are performed in theaters, schools, community centers and private venues by our company members, as well as children who attend our classes. We have been rated 5/5 stars by many children magazines, and have been written up as "One of the best children's musical theater performance troupes in Los Angeles".

Creating Arts is proud to offer the "One Hour Mini-Musical" which uses our trademark "flexible fourth-wall". This experience allows some scenes to be viewed as a "regular" theatrical musical or play watching the performers on stage, while other scenes become audience interactive, engaging and encouraging the audience to participate with the performers in the scene. This unique show style promotes the love of theater and expression and is perfect for very young children, the first time patron or anyone who loves to sing along!

Performing and visual arts help increase test scores, improve memory, encourage physical fitness and elevate self-esteem. We believe every child should have the opportunity to experience and participate in performing and visual arts!

Founding Member and Co-Managing Director, Maya McKenzie is the official Vocal Valkyrie of Creating Arts Company.

There is moment when your passions become so intense, that simply speaking your mind is not enough. A breaking point occurs when you become so engulfed with emotions that the only form of communication strong enough is song. This threshold between speech and singing is where the Vocal Valkyrie thrives.

An actor, singer, and dancer, currently working mostly in the LA area, Maya has been performing regularly for the past 20+ years all over the United States. She is a passionate, positive and professional force of nature who believes in working hard, and playing harder. As a descendant from carnies and actors a life on the stage was inevitable for this mischievous theatre nymph.

Maya is a highly experienced singer trained in many different genres including but not limited to, Musical Theatre, Opera, Jazz, Blues, Jug Band and Bubblegum Pop. She has been both a student and teacher of Shakespeare, Improv and Stage Combat. Some of her most recent and favourite roles include- Lumiere and Mrs. Potts in Beauty and the Beast, Alice in Alice in Wonderland, Ursula in The Little Mermaid, as well as a Hot Box Dancer in Guys and Dolls, and Soupy Sue in Urinetown the Musical.

Having worked with children for the past 6 years she believes that the arts are an essential part of self-discovery. Her mission is to help create happy productive children by being a positive and supportive role model in their lives, and to help them grow to their full potential.

When Maya is not on stage (which is rare) she can be found exploring the universe to its outer most boundaries. She loves breathing fire, playing wash tub bass and ukulele, and riding around on unicycles. Be it cliff jumping, rock climbing, wrestling waves at the beach, or practicing yoga, no extreme is too extreme.

Maya looks forward to all the exciting magic the universe has in store for her and can't wait for whatever adventures are waiting just around the river bend.

Founding member and Executive Director of Creating Arts Company, Lee Marshall is our Mission Master, always taking control of whatever project needs direction.

Lee is often found Co and Assistant Directing, helping with make-up and hair, choreographing, working vocal selections and is our official wig-wonder-worker.

With over 28 years of stage experience, he has enjoyed many roles on and off stage. A founding member of the internationally recognized Magik Children's Theater, which included acting, instruction in musical theater for ages 5-18, as well as performing. Lee's passion for inspiring youth through performing arts landed him the lead director for theater courses for children at risk with the Cindy Cryer Juvenile Detention Center. Creating Arts Mission Master is a warrior in the ongoing battle to bring the arts back into the school curriculum.

Founder and Artistic Director, Shannon Sukovaty is the Imagination Wrangler at the helm of Creating Arts Company. With a lifetime of performing on tv, film and stage and over 20 years of teaching experience Shannon brings unique and creative approaches to performing, directing and teaching.

Her past experiences include international and national performances in a variety of works, such as; Cinderella (Cinderella) , Lion King (gazelle), Chorus Line (Val), Beauty and The Beast (ensemble), Bonnie and Clyde (Bonnie), MC Hammer (dancer), Janet Jackson (dancer) to name a few. She has directed over 50 theatrical works for children and adults, including dance productions, musicals and Shakespeare in the Park. Shannon has founded 5 national and local theater companies; Dance LA, Beverly Hills Performing Arts for Children, Creating Energy, OnStage and Creating Arts Company. She currently can be seen on TV in a variety of commercials, shooting indie films, on stage in children and adult shows, directing kids productions and teaching theater and dance.

An advocate of women's and children's empowerment through the arts, Shannon believes all children deserve the opportunity to participate in visual and performing arts.

When not on stage, in front of a camera, dancing or teaching she loves to surf, read, play with her dogs and chill with friends and family in her home town of Malibu, CA. "I'm extremely honored, blessed and excited to be working with everyone in the Creating Arts Company, we have such an amazingly talented, gifted, diverse and wonderful theater family!"

Founding member and Technical Director, Josh VanDyke is the Professor Tech of Creating Arts Company.

Josh brings creativity to his technical job and always knows how to make the entire company sound better.

He is the owner of Dog House Audio and when not making Creating Arts Company members sound amazing he can be found working sound and other technical jobs on films, tv and industrials.

Board Member and Musical Magician Kristy-Li Strand grew up as the daughter of a farmer in the banana fields of Hawai'i. Each day on the farm brought a new adventure, a spellbinding story that swept her into the world of creativity and imagination. With such a unique upbringing, this jungle girl always knew she was destined for something magical.

At the young age of eight, Kristy-Li began taking singing lessons and discovered she had a knack for writing songs. She furthered her musical skills through learning piano in high school and taking four years of chorus in college.

In 2011, Kristy-Li moved to California, determined to cast musical spells on Los Angeles. After completing various plays and films, she found her heart in Creating Arts Company and has since then portrayed the White Rabbit in Alice in Wonderland and Belle in Beauty and The Beast. During every performance, this musical magician spreads her love of music and art to every child in the audience, leaving them with songs in their heads and a joy that is truly enchanting.

Dan Sugi, Co-Managing Director. Names Dan, Dan Sugi. I'm from the Windy City, Chicago for those who dont know. I moved to Los Angeles about three years back with my sights set on making a name for myself. Ever since I was a little kid running around in diapers and Indiana Jones Fedoras I dreamed about being a Detective...a Character Detective that is. After a couple a years studying acting at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts and a year at South Coast Repertory doing a couple of shows I lost my edge. I couldn't find the characters anymore. See a Character Detective's job is to find the character by any means necessary, we're hired to find them, research them, develop them, and perform them but I found myself at a standstill; locked in a creative battle with the world. That's when the Creating Arts Company gave me a chance; a shot to dust of my fedora and get back into action. After a couple of shows with them including The Little Mermaid, Alice In Wonderland, and Beauty and the Beast this once naive Detective is starting to find himself. I appreciate all the trust and support everyone at Creating Arts has given me and I'm lucky to have found them. My job is to find characters...so it's ironic that the best ones in the world found me.

P.S. I love my parents.

Founding Member and Co-Managing Director, Mystic O'Reilley is the Visionary Virtuoso for the company. She joined Creating Arts Company after moving from the Emerald City in March. Since then she has explored puppetry, playing both Flosum & Jetsum in The Little Mermaid, undergoing transformations as the Door Knob and Do Do in Alice in Wonderland, fashioning costumes and makeup along the way. Mystic has been dressing up and pretending her life into all kinds of magical places for as long as she can remember. After a lengthy absence, Mystic made her triumphant return to the stage upon graduating from SCCC's Film and Video Communications program in Seattle WA in 2010. Producing, Performing in and Hosting shows that brought the magic of cinema, the energy of live music and the exciting unpredictability of theater together on one stage. She is thrilled to be back in the spotlight working with the amazing creatures at Creating Arts.

Founding Member and Co-Managing Director, Argent Lloyd is Creating Arts Company's Scenic Samurai and make all the shows come to life with his lighting designs!

Argent is a long time theater technician and performance artist, a Jack of all Trades and a master of fun. From props, costumes & sets to lighting and sound, the helpful hands of an Argantuan handy man can be found in every aspect of backstage and behind the scenes work, and to top it off he is also a performer.

For over ten years, he has worked, volunteered and participated in live performance. From theater to live music, this Jedi has been both on stage and behind the scenes and gained a vast array of stage ninja techniques. His experience includes stagecraft, live sound, venue booking and promotions, dance and fight choreography and numerous styles of performance art. Also maintaining a career in construction, he has the ability to build almost anything and is applying these modern trade skills to set construction and prop fabrication for theater and film.

When not working on a stage he enjoys performing as a Pirate for parties and showing off his specialty skills of fire performances. He is very happy to be a part of Creating Arts Company and working with an amazing group of talented individuals.

Board Member and Educational Specialist, Catherine Cassone is the Inspiration Angel for Creating Arts Company. With a B.A. from Dartmouth, a Masters from N.Y.U, a Masters in Spiritual Psychology from U.S.M., a California teaching credential and multiple specialty certifications Catherine uses her knowledge, experience and creativity to develop and oversee the company's arts based educational programs.

Juliet Landis Juliet Landis has been with Creating Arts Company since the very first show. She has portrayed Flounder in The Little Mermaid, The White Rabbit in Alice in Wonderland and Chip in Beauty and the Beast.

Eric Lindquist Eric Lindquist's first role with Creating Arts Company was as Prince Eric in the Little Mermaid. he has also performed as Gaston and Muarice in Beauty and The Beast.

Brittany Carriger Brittany Carriger's first role with Creating Arts Company was as Mrs. Potts in Beauty and The Beast a Musical Tale.

Kevin Connelly Kevin Connelly joined Creating Arts Company in the production of Beauty and The Beast as LaFou, Gaston's bumbling side kick. He also is the Cowardly Lion in Wizard of Oz.

Tony Johnson Tony Johnson came onboard with Creating Arts Company in our Beauty and The Beast show as Cogsworth and is also The Wizard in the Wizard of Oz.

Austin Lonsert Austin Lonsert joins Creating Arts Company as LaFou in our current production of Beauty and The Beast and is the Scarecrow Understudy in the Wizard of Oz.

Sarah Lonsert Sarah Lonsert's first role was as Belle in our production of Beauty and The Beast. She takes on the role of Glinda in the Wizard of Oz.

We are so excited to give our Patrons a better experience by moving to a nicer venue but we need your help! Moving theaters is costly, especially in the middle of a show run. We need new tech equipment, new sets, new scenery, etc., so we are now accepting donations of any size to help up get this show up and running smoothly in our new theater home! Any donation will help and there are perks at all levels! To donate simply click on the DONATE button and select your payment option, paypal or credit card! If you would like to send a check please email: shannon@creatingarts.org for information. The perks for this fundraiser are:

$0-$25 Good karma Listing on our Special Thanks to the following Patron Donors Page in the playbill

$26-$50 Good karma Listing on our Special Thanks to the following Patron Donors Page in the playbill 1 Adult ticket and 1 Child ticket to any show (ONE SHOW ONLY) in our 2012 season

$51-$100 Good karma Listing on our Special Thanks to the following Patron Donors Page in the playbill 2 Adult tickets and 2 Child tickets to any show (ONE SHOW ONLY) in our 2012 season

Board Member London Villamayor is the Fashion Fairy for Creating Arts Company, who's quoted as saying "You don't have to be bored if you're a member". Hey y'all I'm London, yes like the city. Hailing from the great state of TEXAS, I was born and bred in Houston, NOT my names sake and since recently moving here I've finally found my real life, love, and family in the City of Angels. #LeSigh. An Our Lady of the Lake University grad, I double majored in Fine Arts Drama & Communication Arts: Cinema Studies. I'm perpetually a performer and child at heart which is perfect cause no one can ever remember how old or young this Fashion Fairy really is. I'm an actress, singer, screenwriter, stylist, costume designer and board member of Creating Arts Company. I have a lot going for me, I hope that's not intimidating. LOL.

I'm the fashion fairy and I play on a field that most have yet to see and some can only dare to dream. Exposed to the world of creative arts and fashion at a young age; from Barbie® dolls to Balenciaga; I strive to pull beauty from all sources for dynamic fashion and presentation. My job to utilize my imagination to propel how you see a character on stage in a new but familiar way. As a fashion fairy I love the opportunity for others to peek inside my mind even if its just for a wrinkle in time. Creating costumes and couture from off the racks, thrift store rags, and beyond; I dabbled in all areas of production ranging from tech work, acting, costumes and the occasional set design. My passion for fashion is not only for basic attire, but also for the symbolic, psychological, and sociological aspects of the characters needs as well which allows the clothes to become more than just fabric on a persons back, but an extension of who they are or who they want to become outside his or herself. They're not just clothes, there is a deeper appreciation and maturity for the world of fashion that styling and costuming creates; it helps others find the character, beauty and vibe of fashion in themselves. I can't wait for you to see what I have in store.

Theatrical wardrobe credits include: The Wizard of Oz, Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, Hector & Gina, The Shape of Things, Taming of the Shrew, Three Poets, Claire and the Unicorn: Happily Ever After, The Duck Pond, A Raisin in the Sun, Voicemail Hell, Man of the Flesh, Canterbury Tales, Carpa del Charco III, Wings, and I Never Saw Another Butterfly. Film wardrobe credits include: The Magic Hourglass, Retribution, A Conversation Worth Hearing, Princess, and Me, Myself, & Eli.