Meet Kailey Burkhardt - Education Director
“Some of the best memories of my life are because of Fantasy Playhouse. ”
Kailey Burkhardt’s connection to FPCTA Playhouse Children’s and Academy (FPCTA) began in a way that feels almost destined. Her father regularly delivered Pepsi to the building. On a visit one day, he asked the people working in the office what this place was. He would bring home pamphlets about FPCTA. Those pieces of paper filled with information about shows, classes, and opportunities for young performers sparked something special.
Through them, Kailey discovered the theater that would soon become a defining part of her life. Kailey was off to the races and soon became an FPCTA Kid herself. What was merely an introduction to a local theater began to take on new life for Kailey. At FPCTA, she found a community where imagination and storytelling were tools for young people to explore their creativity. For Kailey, this experience became transformative. She discovered the stage offered more than just the excitement of performing. It gave her confidence. A community to help carry her through life, a place where she could belong. Through FPCTA, Kailey developed not only a love for theater but also an appreciation for the powerful role the arts can play in a young person’s life. FPCTA Playhouse became a constant presence throughout her childhood and adolescence. Each production, class, and teaching moment deepened her connection to the organization. She experienced firsthand the unique environment FPCTA provides, one where young people are supported. Kailey was challenged and, ultimately, found her voice through the arts. As she grew older, Kailey’s relationship with FPCTA naturally evolved. The place where she once learned and performed became the place where she began guiding others. She joined the organization’s Education Department, working to help create programs and experiences that would inspire the next generation of FPCTA Kids. Kailey now serves as the Education Director at FPCTA, a role that allows her to shape the very programs that once shaped her. Her work is driven by a deep understanding of how meaningful these opportunities can be. Having experienced the impact of arts education herself, she approaches her work with empathy, enthusiasm, and a strong commitment to the young people who come through the theater’s doors.
Through classes, rehearsals, and performances, Kailey cultivates an environment where children can explore creativity through the arts. Believing that live theater offers something uniquely powerful for young people. These experiences go with FPCTA kids far beyond the stage, and Kailey makes sure that every kid who enters FPCTA, from the moment they enter to the moment they leave, carries those experiences far beyond the stage. Kailey Burkhardt’s journey reflects the lasting impact of the arts. The place that once inspired her as a child is now the place where she helps inspire others. Fostering a new generation of young performers who can experience the same transformative magic of theater.