Northwest Tucson, Tortolita, San Manuel, Casas Adobes, Catalina, Marana,
Oracle, Oro Valley, SaddleBrooke, and Sun City, Arizona

May 14, 1998

EXPLORER Newspapers Inc.
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Northwest Explorer

Kids Unlimited is where stars are born

by Kristen de Groot

Staff writer

Many parents cringe at the thought of their child’s desire to be an actor, singer or model.

Talent and modeling agencies often demand high fees for training and finding work for children. More times than not, such places fail to do either and eventually go under, taking those high-dollar fees with them.

Not so with Kids Unlimited.

The non-profit company started in 1986 with the goal of providing a "safe stage" for children interested in the performing arts, said owner Carol Sottosanti.

"We also try to work on a child’s self-esteem," Sottosanti said. "To take a shy child and little by little see them blossom is with confidence is really what we’re all about."

In the 1980s, Sottosanti, herself a singer and performer, started three of her girls in the pageant circuit. Soon, she realized these competitions were not what she had in mind for her daughters. During that time, she met other moms who decided that route was not for them, either. Together, they came up with the idea of acting as their children’s agents, calling malls on their own and asking if their children could perform for free. The malls agreed.

And so it started with about five children doing whatever it was they did best: dancing, playing the violin or singing.

Soon, people watching the shows wanted to know how their kids could get involved.

There was so much interest Sottosanti decided to start a business. Six years ago, that business turned non-profit.

"We just decided it was the way to go. We could get some additional funding through grants and get discounts on theaters," she said.

Now, about 50 kids between the ages of 4 to 14 years old are involved, honing their dancing, singing and acting skills and using those skills in frequent public performances and commercials.

Eventually, she hopes to enroll about 100 students.

Sottosanti and her team of three teachers offer classes in dance, acting and singing based on an in-house curriculum in their studio at 50 W. Ft. Lowell Road. In addition to the three staff teachers, a constant flow of professional actors, dancers and singers offer their services throughout the year.

"We’re trying to give kids an opportunity with out exploiting them, and at the same time keep down the stress level for them," she said. "We aren’t looking for any commercial gains from these kids – we’re trying to give them an education in performing arts."

Classes run all year, and the summer schedule offers classes Wednesday and Thursday evenings and Sunday afternoons.

A monthly fee of $40 to $45 is asked of parents, which gives students an hour and a half class a week, and a minimum of two performances a month.

"We try to keep them on stage as much as we can," Sottosanti said.

Kids Unlimited has a good working relationship with the Children’s Museum and with companies like Tucson Electric Power, and appearing in their commercials for free. Occasionally, businesses will offer a donation to the company.

No auditions are required to join the company, except if a student wants to enter at the advanced level.

They hold three to four fundraisers a year, including yard sales and raffles as a way to keep themselves up and running.

Twice a year students put on a major performance. Their big spring show was May 8 at St. Phillips in the Hills Murphy Gallery and about 260 people came to the show.

Otherwise, students are kept busy with smaller-scale performances and commercials.

One young girl has been in a national Rice Krispies cereal commercial and a Ford car company commercial.

Sottosanti’s daughters have also had their share of successes. Jennie Marshall, is a performer on Premiere Cruise lines (the Big Red Ship), another daughter, Kelly Cable just got a job at Busch Gardens in Virginia on their main stage show called "Rockin’ the Boat." Kelly has had a busy year. She was selected to sing at the Grammy awards in February, and included was an all-expenses paid trip to New York City. She also had the lead role in Canyon del Oro’s "42nd Street" musical production last month.

Despite her daily hard work, Sottosanti doesn’t get a paycheck for her services, but insists she is rewarded by the work itself.

It has created another business for her, allowing her to give private voice lessons, teach singing at Catalina Foothills School District. But mostly, she does it because of the kids.

"People tell me I’m good at motivating children," she said.

"I have a large family, but all my kids are grown up, so I really enjoy working with young kids."

To find out more information on Kids Unlimited performances, or to enroll a child, call Sottosanti at (520) 293-1225.