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Binta Mohammed signing a Caliban scene
Character rendering by KadyB. |
Arizona Theatre Matters is proud to announce the release of its production of Shakespeare’s The Tempest on YouTube. This groundbreaking adaptation breathes new life into one of Shakespeare's final masterpieces, blending traditional storytelling with innovative, universally accessible theatre.
The Tempest is a tale of magic, betrayal, love, and forgiveness, set on a remote island where the exiled Duke Prospero uses his mystical powers to seek revenge, only to discover that reconciliation is the true path to peace. The Arizona Theatre Matters production offers a fresh take on the timeless play, emphasizing themes of resilience and redemption.
What Makes This Production Unique?
Standout Performances: The Tempest features a stellar voice cast led by Michael Rawley as Prospero. A top-tier stage actor, in his long career, Rawley starred as Scar in both the Toronto and American National Touring productions of The Lion King. He is also the founding artistic director of the LaSalle Theatre in Kirkland Lake, Ontario, where he has spearheaded the SaveTheLaSalle movement.
Phoenix Metro favorites Mathew Zimmerer and Mace Archer also take on key roles. Zimmerer, a world-class actor known for his wide range of acclaimed performances, voices both Alonso, the grieving king, and Stephano, the drunken butler, masterfully rendering both roles. Mace Archer, who recently won the "Zoni" Best Actor in a Play award for his commanding portrayal of Macbeth at the Southwest Shakespeare Company, brings his immense talent to this production, further establishing himself as a top actor in the region.
Character Renderings by Kady Barnes: The stunning character renderings featured in the background images are created by Kady Barnes, adding a visual richness that beautifully complements the audio performances.
Deaf Sign Language Team: Binta Mohammed brings a nuanced and deeply emotional layer to the production. As a Deaf sign language performer, Binta’s ability to convey the subtleties of each character is remarkable. Her portrayal is rich with distinct characterizations, bringing not only clarity but an enormous amount of heart to the production. She enhances the narrative with incredible depth, ensuring that the performance resonates with audiences on a profoundly human level.
Accessible Theatre for All Audiences: This production of The Tempest features richly descriptive narration, making it accessible for people who are blind or visually impaired. Additionally, subtitles are available and can be translated into more than 300 languages, ensuring that the production is accessible to viewers who speak languages other than English.
Support the Arts: As part of our mission to promote inclusive theatre, we are raising funds to continue working with our dedicated Deaf sign language team. To support this cause, please visit our
GoFundMe campaign at the link included in the video description.
Shakespeare’s The Tempest is now available to stream for free on YouTube.
Watch it HERE.
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