Drama Camp Productions & Sunny Side Theater was founded in 2002 by Chris Paragone.  At the end of the 2007-2008 school year, Chris decided it was time to turn his “summer hobby” into a year-round passion!  Sunny Side Theater opened its year-round facility in the Fall of 2008 with the goal of allowing all children access to the stage.  The confidence and long-lasting skills that performing arts offered children was something Chris felt strongly about and he didn’t want to turn anyone away because of talent - but rather work with them on their level.  In 2011, Sunny Side added a high school show because many of the students who made up Chris’s first casts of Drama Camp wanted to continue participating, but at a more mature level. In 2012, Chris formed the Azalea City Center for the Arts - a full-service, one-stop shop for all arts programs - music, drama, visual arts, dance, and more.  Chris expanded the program once more to offer an Exceptional Arts Drama Class for those with special needs and they produce three shows a year.  In 2014, Sunny Side grew once more with the addition of its Travel Competition Team.

I have a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education and taught for 10 years before opening Sunny Side.  I participated in community theater shows throughout college and when I opened summer Drama Camp it was just for fun!  That fun grew into my full-time career.