Arizona Theatre Matters' "Pay What You Can" 2021 Summer Festival features Virtual Productions of Classic Plays and New Works

from our friends at Arizona Theatre Matters:

Radically Inclusive Theatre: PAY WHAT YOU CAN for ATM Productions’ 2021 Summer Festival

Arizona Theatre Matters Seeks Equal Access and Inclusivity in Performing Arts

Arizona Theatre Matters is no ordinary production company. The industry has historically isolated groups of talent and patrons who face hurdles or disabilities, but ATM Productions is on a mission to change that systemic isolation through an unique creative construct. 

Launched on July 1, their 2021 Summer Festival is using a two-step method to ensure accessibility for all.

First and foremost, ATM Productions has a “Pay What You Can” admission policy, rooted in the conviction that all theatre lovers must have access readily available to them, regardless of economic status. While donations are always appreciated and encouraged, ATM Productions’ emphasis is on access for all.

Second, each performance in the Festival is translated into 110 different languages via closed caption on YouTube, inviting theatre lovers from around the world. The 2021 ATM Summer Festival is a virtual feast, featuring UNDER MILK WOOD by Dylan Thomas, UNEXPECTED by John Perovich, Shakespeare’s MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM and an hilarious live show by Bill Robison. They feature a world-class company who have performed across the globe.

Festival Director Jeanmarie Simpson said, “The pandemic may have taken away our ability to physically be together in a room, but nothing will stop us from making art. The Summer Festival brings together artists from four countries and several different American states and Canadian provinces. That’s something we usually can’t afford. So, there’s our silver lining,” she laughed. 

To learn more about ATM Productions’ Summer 2021 Festival, or to purchase tickets, please visit: https://arizonatheatrematters.org/

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM 

by William Shakespeare

Hermia loves Lysander, Demetrius loves Hermia, Helena loves Demetrius, Theseus and Hippolyta are almost newlyweds and the already-complex marriage of the immortal queen and king of Fairyland is further complicated when one of them falls for an amateur actor-turned-ass. Intrigued by the theory that Shakespeare wrote this play as a wedding gift ATM probes the pitfalls and pay-offs of relationships, be they budding or eternal. Seeking out the grace, beauty and delight embedded in the comedy, this joyful, music-laden production invites us to feel as well as laugh.

Theseus/Oberon – Terence Kelly

Hippolyta/Titania – Samantha King

Egeus/Quince – Ken Love

Hermia – Sarah Hourigan

Lysander – Victor Yang

Demetrius – Jaren Navenma

Helena – Kiley Bishop

Bottom – Sean Sullivan

Flute/Cobweb – Monroe Shep

Snout, First Fairy

Peaseblossom – Ian Rey Sausedo

Snug, Second Fairy, Moth – Carolyn Platt McBurney

Starveling/ Mustardseed – Evan Dangel

Puck – Jen Gantwerker

UNDER MILK WOOD

by Dylan Thomas

Originally commissioned by the BBC and described by Dylan Thomas as ‘a play for voices’, UNDER MILK WOOD is a nuanced, provocative and hilarious account of a spring day in the fictional Welsh seaside village of Llareggub. We learn of the inhabitants’ dreams and desires, their loves and regrets. The play introduces us to characters such as Captain Cat who dreams of his drowned former seafellows and Nogood Boyo who dreams of nothing at all. It is a unique and touching depiction of a village that has fallen head over bells in love’. The First Voice narration reveals the ordinary world of daily happenings and events, while the Second Voice conveys the intimate, innermost thoughts of the fascinating folk of Llareggub.

First Voice – Ken Welsh

Second Voice – Elizabeth Saunders

Third Voice – Sean Sullivan

Fourth Voice – Lynne Griffin

Fifth Voice – Michael Rawley

Sixth Voice – Tim Fitzgerald Walker

UNEXPECTED 

by John Perovich

In a village by the sea, an overprotective mother struggles to keep her three daughters from ever falling in love. The mother’s wishes are met with resistance when a mysterious merchant washes ashore. Love is in the air as each person struggles to listen to the love in their heart. UNEXPECTED is a dark comedy about curiosity, disobedience, honesty, and family – the one we have and the one we choose. A pastiche of Greek and Roman mythological love tales, UNEXPECTED is a piece about choice. This one loves that one, that one dumps this one, another runs off in fear, another chooses to go on, no matter what, and her progeny live, grow up and love in the wake of heartbreak which indelibly marks them and all who love them, leave them or are – most painfully of all – indifferent to them.

Vickie – Debra Lyman

Merchant – Gerald Thomson

Emma – Mia Passarella

Penelope – Anabel Olguin

Phoebe – Bertha Alicia Cortes

Taylor – Devon Mahon

Connor – Maybe Stewart

Olivia – Marina Sharpe

Ann – Carolyn McBurney

THE BILL ROBISON STAGE SHOW

by Bill Robison

Bill Robison’s stage show sweeps his audience along on a non-stop journey where microphones come to life, music stands disintegrate and old suitcases have a mind of their own- including a pesky fly that intervenes and just the wrong moment! This non-stop, family-friendly show intertwines comedy mayhem and audience participation with wacky music, characters, costumes and hilarious sound effects. Bill’s Stage Shows combine outstanding physical comedy, audience interaction and are suitable for any type of audience. He has performed on stages large and small at Fairs and Festivals, Cruise Ships, Television, German Variete Theatres, Comedy Clubs Cabarets, Schools, Private Events and much more.