Writer Shannon Severson // Photography by Andrew Brigida, Digital Perception Photography
When Angela Lavelle left the hustle and bustle of Hollywood and her career as an actor and costumer to return to her home state of Arizona, she brought with her a dream: to recreate what she founded in Los Angeles in 2007 — a neighborhood theater that would nurture and educate.
Right after completing her studies at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Lavelle decided to direct Neil Simon’s “Laughter on the 23rd Floor,” one of her favorite plays of all time, inspired by Simon’s life while he was a regular on the legendary Sid Caesar Show in the 1950s.
“I handed out a script to my friends and cast them in roles and said, ‘We’re doing this show,’” she recalls. “‘I don’t know how, but we’re going to do it.’”
She set up her living room like a stage, and rehearsals began.
“Next thing I knew, we were up in Theater Row in Hollywood, completely sold out,” she says.
Now, her already successful enterprise needed a name, and taking inspiration from a funny monologue in the play that speaks the name “Frank Banzerini,” a theater company was established.
The Anthem resident and her husband, Chase Boyajian, first founded the Arizona version of Banzerini House as a summer camp just as the world was beginning to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic. Lavelle’s own theater and film background instilled a desire to bring industry standards to local young actors through high-level instruction, creative and show business training.
“I really want these kids to learn what it’s like to be a true artist,” she says. “There’s so much talent out there, and talent is talent — but I want to teach the kids how to use their talent respectfully and to create a good work ethic.”
Lavelle believes that whatever her students choose to pursue in life will require the type of skills they’re learning at the theater.
“So many artists go out after college and get squashed like a bug because they are just simply not prepared,” she says. “People quit and give up just because things get hard, but that’s when you shouldn’t quit. That’s when you should keep going. We learn from failures, and it adds to the story.”
The families whose children study under Lavelle’s tutelage agree that their investment has been advantageous and fun.
That first summer in Anthem, Jennifer James enrolled her daughter in the camp and began volunteering her time — helping children make tie-dyed T-shirts, building sets and operating concessions for “Willy Wonka Jr.” She has been part of Banzerini House ever since and now sits on the nonprofit production company’s board of directors.
“This is a great experience,” James says. “It’s grassroots. Angie is an extreme visionary. When she puts her heart into something, it comes to life.”
Creative Connections
James says that one of the elements that makes Banzerini House unique is the connections Lavelle has in the television and film industry. That first summer, actor Matthew Namick, who currently works on “The Kelly Clarkson Show,” traveled from Los Angeles to play the role of Willy Wonka; Namick will return this summer for Banzerini’s production of “Finding Nemo Kids.”
Other professional contributors include Bruce Dickson, a director of photography most notably known for filming the famous opening title sequence of “Friends”; local actor Joe Schwab, who has played adult roles in Banzerini House shows and sits on the audition judges’ panel; and Lew Temple, most notably seen in “The Walking Dead,” who played a role in Banzerini House’s latest short film, “Stolen Wishes.”
“The saying ‘It’s all about who you know’ isn’t about having a famous uncle in the business,” Lavelle explains. “It’s about trust, good work ethic and relationships.”
Lavelle believes that building relationships at the theater and beyond helps to build rapport for potential future opportunities.
“Angie loops in people to mentor,” James says. “They come in and share what they know.”
Having visiting film actors is especially helpful when the theater produces its annual short film.
“Stolen Wishes,” filmed at Pioneer Village, is the third film that Lavelle has written and directed, and the second she’s done since moving to Anthem. Each film has special meaning, and “Stolen Wishes” has parallels to Lavelle’s beloved mother, who lost her battle with cancer in 2021.
“She was the one who really inspired Angie,” James says. “All of our programs and every show are always dedicated to her mom. For example, at the end of each year, we do ‘The Best Christmas Pageant Ever’ with grownups and kids. [Angie] did the show as a kid and it’s her favorite. It gets the whole community into the holiday spirit to celebrate and it’s like a homecoming every year.”
Exuberance for Excellence
While Banzerini House may occupy an unassuming storefront on the west side of Anthem, James describes the interior as cozy and welcoming but says it’s also a fully professional operation that prepares its participants for real-world jobs in show business and creative arts.
Lavelle says it’s important to learn every element of music, dance, acting and behind-the-scenes work.
“It adds to their artists’ tool belt,” Lavelle says. “We do sign-ups by the season because we are educational and these classes get applied to each production. I feel it is important to be in a team setting because that is how it is in the industry.”
The participants can progress through the program as they choose to interview and audition. There are “B-House Players,” a performing group, and audition-only company actors. All must clock in upon arrival, put their belongings in lockers, keep their areas tidy and respect the rules and routines of the theater, which include good listening skills and on-set and backstage etiquette.
“Every child gets training in acting, dance and vocal technique, doing press interviews, auditions, headshots and hair and makeup,” James points out. “The way it’s set up, the kids get credit, skills and validation. Angie gives them a lot of feedback, and they love her. There is a points system so [actors] see where their strengths and opportunities are. Feedback is a gift; it’s life. You have to learn to accept it away from your parents.”
Lavelle says Banzerini House participants get to know each other inside and out; they learn to butt heads and then speak directly to each other about how to overcome it.
Every challenge is an opportunity, whether onstage or behind the scenes.
James says there is room for children to try their hand backstage, particularly as they mature.
“The older kids learn stage direction, lighting and sound, and help out with the younger kids,” she says. “Everyone is learning transferable skills, and each little kid has a hero in an older child.”
At age 15, teens can apply to work in a paid job at the theater. Some go on to help direct the shows. There are plenty of places to learn and participate in the six shows and one film the organization produces each year.
Banzerini House facilities include a black box theater; a project room for sewing and costumes; a dual-purpose instruction and hair and makeup room; and an arts and crafts space. Lavelle serves as a creative director for the children, and there are opportunities for ages 3 through adult. She also hosts art night for the parents of the young actors. A student-created art piece is featured and memorialized in a framed wall hanging for each production.
“Angie is an artist,” James says. “Her passion is bringing the arts back into everything. You really see these kids grow. They gain confidence that they can do it and are part of a strong and supportive community.”
Award-Winning Performances
Lavelle was nominated for five AriZonis last year and has been recognized by the BroadwayWorld Phoenix Awards and National Youth Theater Awards — quite a feat for such a young performing company. The children were able to have yet another show business experience: getting dressed up to walk the red carpet. Attending events like this is just one of the ways that Banzerini House fosters community, in addition to celebratory cast parties that are likely to break out in karaoke singing.
On April 2, Banzerini House will hold a fundraiser from 5 to 8 p.m. at Bearded Barber in Anthem. The restaurant will donate 15% of food sales back to the theater, and the young actors will perform throughout the night with a special guest appearance by “The G Man” Perry, a Bearded Barber favorite who will perform show tunes along with fellow theater-lover and Bearded Barber server Alex Martinez.
Funds raised will go toward fulfilling Banzerini House’s vision “to inspire and empower individuals through the transformative power of performing arts.” Community and corporate partner sponsorships are also available.
Later in April, the theater will stage performances of “Peter Pan” from April 26 to May 5.
At the end of June, the organization will attend and reprise its performance of David Mamet’s “Revenge of the Space Pandas” at the Hollywood Fringe Festival in the Los Angeles area. They’ll also participate in a press night at the festival.
Lavelle is dedicated to keeping theater alive and training the next generation in the arts. She looks forward to expanding her offerings for children and adults.
“Art is powerful, therapeutic and beautiful, but it’s slowly dying,” she says. “My goal is to bring good art that inspires and to keep it alive — and to never, ever give up.”
‘Peter Pan’
April 26–May 5 // See website for times // Banzerini House // 42407 N. Vision Way, Suite 106, Phoenix // $15 // banzerinihouse.org
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