Sandbox Stories Theater Company strives to expand the boundaries of learning, encourage creative thinking and empower a child's self esteem through performance of student's original stories and poems by professional actors and musicians.
History
Sandbox Stories was established in Los Angeles, California in 2001 as a writing program for kids who "hated writing". At the time I was teaching 5th grade English and was looking for a way to get my kids excited, not only about putting pen to paper, but also about growing their creative voices. So I invited a group of professional actors to rehearse and perform their creative writing stories for an all school assembly. The performance of the stories was a huge hit at our school and before long our community caught word of our program. I was asked by the owner of a small theater in Hollywood to perform our show for a 7 week run open to the public.Two months later, Sandbox Stories was nominated for the Best Children’s Show by the prestigious Los Angeles Valley Theater League, received the award for Best Director of a Children’s Show by the Valley Theater League and was featured on the venerable LA radio station KPFK.
In 2008, Sandbox Stories Theater Company officially became a 501c (3) non- profit company. Today we continue to grow our programs including our wildly successful annual creative writing contest and performance for kids (which has garnered over 300 stories two years in a row), a monthly radio show on KRFC Fort Collins, and continued in-school and out of school writing workshops for Colorado students and teachers.
Katie Cassis, Founder of Sandbox Stories, graduated from Columbia College, Chicago with a degree in Performance Art. She has worked professionally as an actor, director and writer both in Chicago and Los Angeles and is the founder of the award winning Sandbox Stories. Katie continues to perform, produce, direct and teach in Fort Collins, Colorado where she lives with her husband Derek and two beautiful boys Liam and Finn. Her passion for the stage, education and creativity is the foundation and root for which Sandbox Stories is based.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT SANDBOX STORIESWhat a wonderful performance yesterday. It was entertaining, funny, and a wonderful afternoon for our family. Our daughter was thrilled to see her writing come to life and our 2nd grade son came home and started writing so that he can submit a story next year. You are a valuable asset to this community.
Whitney and Rami Naddy
PSD Parents
"I’d just like to tell you, I loved your program and I hope I will see you guys next year in 5th grade. I think the whole Poudre School District should get to enjoy your great program.”
- Chase
4th grader, Eyestone Elementary
Thank you so much for all the hard work you do to inspire young people to write! We love your mission and vision and are spreading the word about how great you all are!
Shane and Kathy Bergo
PSD Parents
"At Irish Elementary, we were looking for something unique, creative and motivational for our students and families to enjoy for our May 2009 Family Night. We invited Sandbox Stories Theater Co. to perform 30+ stories written by our students. Faces of our student authors glowed as they watched their stories performed in front of their peers and families!"
The event was phenomenal--one of our best Family Nights ever!"
Patti Young
Teacher Irish Elementary
"Thank you for this wonderful opportunity for my students! The performances were awesome and you made a HUGE impact on my student who won the contest. What a creative and fun way to inspire young writers!"
Janise Coughlin
Teacher 4th Grade/ Tavelli Elem.
"Thank you for putting on Sandbox Stories! Your performance was extremely well done and very entertaining. Best of all, you give young writers special motivation to keep writing. One of my first grade writers who sometimes struggles to get words down on paper, now considers herself a gifted writer, thanks to your encouragement.
We as educators so value what you are doing; Many thanks! "
"Diane Umbreit
Teacher 1st Grade/ Cache La Poudre Elementary
" Our class really enjoyed writing for an audience... I would continue to encourage you to do the contest in the manner that you have it set up. It was fun and easy for all of us."
Gail Spinden
Teacher/ Oakwood School
"What a great show last night! What a great thing you're doing for kids!"
Cindy Ronan
Poudre School District Contest Coordinator
"My kids are so incredibly thrilled to have their stories
selected for this year's performance. It will be a very special event for our family, Thanks again for all you do for kids!"
Shana Bode, parent
"I can't say enough about the Sandbox program. I had the pleasure of seeing the production on Saturday afternoon and as everyone said, it was magical."
Sandy Klug
Board President of Bas Bleu Theater
In 2008, Sandbox Stories Theater Company officially became a 501c (3) non- profit company. Today we continue to grow our programs including our wildly successful annual creative writing contest and performance for kids (which has garnered over 300 stories two years in a row), a monthly radio show on KRFC Fort Collins, and continued in-school and out of school writing workshops for Colorado students and teachers.
Katie Cassis, Founder of Sandbox Stories, graduated from Columbia College, Chicago with a degree in Performance Art. She has worked professionally as an actor, director and writer both in Chicago and Los Angeles and is the founder of the award winning Sandbox Stories. Katie continues to perform, produce, direct and teach in Fort Collins, Colorado where she lives with her husband Derek and two beautiful boys Liam and Finn. Her passion for the stage, education and creativity is the foundation and root for which Sandbox Stories is based.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT SANDBOX STORIES
Whitney and Rami Naddy
PSD Parents
"I’d just like to tell you, I loved your program and I hope I will see you guys next year in 5th grade. I think the whole Poudre School District should get to enjoy your great program.”
- Chase
4th grader, Eyestone Elementary
Thank you so much for all the hard work you do to inspire young people to write! We love your mission and vision and are spreading the word about how great you all are!
Shane and Kathy Bergo
PSD Parents
"At Irish Elementary, we were looking for something unique, creative and motivational for our students and families to enjoy for our May 2009 Family Night. We invited Sandbox Stories Theater Co. to perform 30+ stories written by our students. Faces of our student authors glowed as they watched their stories performed in front of their peers and families!"
The event was phenomenal--one of our best Family Nights ever!"
Patti Young
Teacher Irish Elementary
"Thank you for this wonderful opportunity for my students! The performances were awesome and you made a HUGE impact on my student who won the contest. What a creative and fun way to inspire young writers!"
Janise Coughlin
Teacher 4th Grade/ Tavelli Elem.
"Thank you for putting on Sandbox Stories! Your performance was extremely well done and very entertaining. Best of all, you give young writers special motivation to keep writing. One of my first grade writers who sometimes struggles to get words down on paper, now considers herself a gifted writer, thanks to your encouragement.
We as educators so value what you are doing; Many thanks! "
"Diane Umbreit
Teacher 1st Grade/ Cache La Poudre Elementary
" Our class really enjoyed writing for an audience... I would continue to encourage you to do the contest in the manner that you have it set up. It was fun and easy for all of us."
Gail Spinden
Teacher/ Oakwood School
"What a great show last night! What a great thing you're doing for kids!"
Cindy Ronan
Poudre School District Contest Coordinator
"My kids are so incredibly thrilled to have their stories
selected for this year's performance. It will be a very special event for our family, Thanks again for all you do for kids!"
Shana Bode, parent
"I can't say enough about the Sandbox program. I had the pleasure of seeing the production on Saturday afternoon and as everyone said, it was magical."
Sandy Klug
Board President of Bas Bleu Theater
