The Magic Maker How Aimee Turned a Teacher’s Dream Into Wisconsin’s Largest Character Co
- Fairy Godmother
- 4 days ago
- 4 min read
For 18 years, Grissmeyer taught music and drama in Wisconsin’s public and private schools, guiding students through rehearsals, vocal training, and the thrill of live performance. With degrees from the University of Wisconsin System and Marian University, and licensure in both General Music and Choral Music PK–12, she dedicated nearly two decades to nurturing young performers.
Throughout her teaching career, Grissmeyer and her students earned numerous awards and recognitions for their productions and performances. Among them were honors such as the Music in Our Schools Award, a Grammy in Our Schools nomination, Best Musical Performance, Best Direction in a Musical Performance, and Poet of the Yearfrom the International Poet’s Society. Over the years, she directed more than 20 full-length musical and dramatic productions, helping countless students discover confidence and creative expression on stage.
Her students loved performing but outside of school productions, there were very few opportunities for them to gain real world acting experience. She began thinking about how she could give her performers something more: a chance to practice improvisation, develop character work, and gain professional performance experience.
That idea would eventually grow into something far bigger than she ever imagined.
In 2013, Grissmeyer began planning a small side project that would allow her students to perform as storybook characters at children’s birthday parties and events. When Princess My Party officially launched in 2014, the concept was simple: provide magical character experiences for families while giving young performers meaningful acting opportunities.
What Grissmeyer didn’t realize was that she had tapped into something extraordinary.
“It started as a little side project,” she says. “I never imagined it would become my career & legacy. It truly feels like having a hobby that I get paid for.”
As word spread, demand grew quickly. Families loved the professional performers, the attention to character authenticity, and the theatrical quality that came from Grissmeyer’s background in directing musicals. Today, Princess My Party offers over 200 characters and works with performers across the state of Wisconsin, bringing unforgettable experiences to birthday parties, community events, and family shows.
But one early event changed the trajectory of the company forever.
Princess My Party was asked to host a tea party for a young girl battling cancer. Determined to make the day unforgettable, Grissmeyer sent a large group of princesses and princes to the event. The little girl’s friends came from school, and for an afternoon, the room was filled with laughter, music, and imagination.
“In that moment, I realized this could be so much more than entertainment,” she says.
It could create real magic during life’s hardest moments.
That experience inspired Grissmeyer to grow the company quickly so it could support charitable appearances like this more often. From that mission, the Extra Magic Charity Fund was born—a program that helps provide visits and magical experiences for children facing illness or hardship.
For Grissmeyer, the work is deeply personal.
As a cancer survivor herself, she understands firsthand how powerful joy and imagination can be for children and families navigating difficult medical journeys.
“When we visit sick children, it feels like literal magic,” she says. “Those moments are something truly special.”
Even as the company has expanded, Grissmeyer still runs Princess My Party with the heart of a teacher. Performers undergo structured training that includes rehearsals, scripts, quizzes, voice coaching, and character certifications. Her experience directing theater productions informs everything from casting to rehearsal structure to vocal performance.
The goal is simple: create experiences that feel authentic, magical, and unforgettable.
Over the years, Princess My Party has participated in more than 1,200 events, bringing joy and imagination to thousands of children across Wisconsin. For Grissmeyer, however, the most meaningful moments are often the quiet ones—watching a parent tear up as their child meets a beloved character, or hearing a room full of children singing along to a favorite song.
“It gives me goosebumps every time,” she says. “Seeing kids light up like that never gets old.”
When children leave a Princess My Party event, Grissmeyer hopes they remember one thing above all else: how the experience made them feel.
Happy. Inspired. Magical.
Looking toward the future, Grissmeyer hopes the company continues to grow through the creativity and passion of the performers who bring the characters to life.
Her vision is for the next generation of Princess My Party performers to take risks, share ideas, and continue creating magical experiences for families.
At its core, the company is built on a beautifully simple idea:
It’s the child’s dream to meet the character—and the actor’s dream to become that character.
Aimee directed “Chicago”
Aimee directed “The Snow Queen”
Aimee directed Ted “The Boyfriend”
Aimee directed “Avenue Q”
Aimee directed “Grease”
Aimee directed “Mamma Mia”
Aimee directed “High School Musical”
Aimee directed “Wizard of Oz”
Aimee directed “Phantom of the Opera”
Aimee directed “Evita”
Aimee directed “Bye Bye Birdie”
Aimee directed “School House Rock”
Aimee directed “Rogers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella” twice!
Aimee directed “Harry’s Hotter at Twilight”
Aimee directed “Legally Blonde”
Aimee directed “Annie”
Aimee directed “Aladdin”
Aimee created & directed “Taylor Tunes” a Taylor Swift Impersonstor for children!
Along with many other shows!
Many choirs
Middle School Band
She has written, produced, marketed, and directed many shows for Princess My Party including…
Breakfast with The Mice
Character Breakfast
Encanto Sing Along
KPop Hunters Glow Party
Meet The Pups
Princess Ball
Princess Brunch
Princess Tea Party
Snow Ball
Snow Sisters Tea Party
Taylor Tunes
Unicorn Party
Unicorns & Mermaids
Due to Aimee’s health, she has the next generation of leadership is in place and learning the ropes to take over fully soon! Aimee will still help with Creative Direction of the tours. Cancer Sucks.
Follow Aimee
Facebook @aimeecolleen
Instagram @chasingaimeeg
TikTok @chasingaimeeg
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