HAND TO GOD - 5th Wall Playhouse - May 15-24, 2026

By Robert Askins

Directed by: Rob Evans 

In a quiet Texas church basement, a Christian puppet ministry takes a wild, diabolical turn. When shy teenager Jason’s puppet Tyrone starts saying and doing unspeakable things, the line between make-believe and possession begins to blur. Hand to God is a hilariously twisted comedy about faith, repression, and the monsters we create. Irreverent and unexpectedly moving, this Tony-nominated play explores grief, guilt, and adolescent rage with puppet mayhem and a pitch-black sense of humor. Think Sesame Street meets The Exorcist. With jaw-dropping surprises and audacious heart, Hand to God asks: when the devil speaks, is it really him—or just your inner voice finally telling the truth?

ALL SHOW TIMES ARE AS FOLLOWS 

Thursday at 7 pm (if a Thursday show) 

Friday at 7 pm 

Saturday at 7 pm 

Sunday at 2 pm

CLICK HERE for more information, and to purchase tickets, when available

Auditions for BEETLEJUICE, JR at Spotlight Youth Theatre announced for September 8 & 9

CLICK HERE for more information

Auditions for ROSENCRANTZ and GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD at Stage Left Productions announced for September 8

Monday September 8th 

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, childhood friends of Prince Hamlet, are summoned to the Danish court to uncover the cause of Hamlet’s strange behavior. As they struggle to understand their roles and the events around them, they find themselves caught in a confusing and absurd world where fate, free will, and identity blur. The pair often engage in witty, existential conversations as they await instructions, stumble through fragments of the Hamlet plot, and encounter a troupe of actors led by the enigmatic Player.

Casting all roles!

Rosencrantz

Guildenstern 

The Player

Hamlet

Claudius

Polonius 

Gertrude 

Ophelia 

Tragedians

To view the calendar and character description or to sign up CLICK HERE

Review Highlights: ANASTASIA - Hale Centre Theatre

Brie Wadsworth-Gates and Cast
Photo by Nick Woodward-Shaw

highlights from local critics reviews - (click link at bottom of each review to read complete review)

Click here for more information on this production that runs through October 4

"The stage musical Anastasia, which is based on the beloved 1997 animated film of the same name, sweeps audiences into a world of history, mystery and romance. Hale Centre Theatre's production is both visually enchanting and emotionally rich. The talented cast deliver captivating performances and, with the combination of imaginative staging and rich creative elements, it results in a heartfelt story that resonates....The Hale cast is outstanding. Brie Wadsworth-Gates delivers a remarkable performance as Anya, balancing strength and vulnerability while showcasing a powerful, expressive voice that soars in her solo numbers. Opposite her, Reece Harris is charismatic and quick-witted as Dmitry, with authentic chemistry that makes their romance believable and charming....with strong performances, thoughtful direction, and elegant design elements that create a magical theatrical experience which perfectly captures the spirit, romance and mystery of this beloved story."   - Gil Benbrook, TalkinBroadway.com (click here to read the complete review)

Cast announced for SOMETHING ROTTEN at Spotlight Youth Theatre

CLICK HERE for more information on this production, which runs September 5-September 21

SHREK THE MUSICAL - Showtune Productions - March 13-15, 2026

 

 

Showtune Production and the CCA will present a fully staged production of SHREK THE MUSICAL, with performances at the Chandler Center for the Arts on March 13 - 15, 2026. 

SHREK THE MUSICAL will feature a live onstage orchestra, animated scenic projections, full costuming, and choreography. 

For more information visit chandlercenter.org or call 480-782-2680

THE BRIDES OF DRACULA - B3 Theater - October 17-26 2025

by Jessica Weinecke, directed by Ricardo Leon & Amanda Kehrberg

Dracula, the enigmatic vampire who lords over his abandoned castle in the Carpathian mountains, collects brides like trinkets, never caring for their desires. But all that changes when he gets a visit from Jonathan Harker and becomes obsessed with the idea of having Jonathan's fiancee, Mina, and sister, Lucy, for his newest wives. Mina and Lucy, determined to come to Jonathan's rescue, must now evade the clutches of Dracula, all while joining forces with a vampire hunter, learning more about their fellow brides, and coming to terms with their feelings for each other.

All performances will be held at:

Shadow Rock United Church of Christ

12861 N 8th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85029

CLICK HERE for more information, and to purchase tickets, when available 

ALMOST, MAINE - B3 Theater - February 20-March 1, 2026

by John Cariani, directed by Joey Whelan

Welcome to Almost, Maine, a place that’s so far north, it’s almost not in the United States. It’s almost in Canada. And it’s not quite a town, because its residents never got around to getting organized. So it almost doesn’t exist. One cold, clear, winter night, as the northern lights hover in the star-filled sky above, the residents of Almost, Maine, find themselves falling in and out of love in unexpected and hilarious ways. Knees are bruised. Hearts are broken. But the bruises heal, and the hearts mend—almost—in this delightful midwinter night’s dream.

All performances will be held at:

Shadow Rock United Church of Christ

12861 N 8th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85029

CLICK HERE for more information, and to purchase tickets, when available 

THE GUY WHO DIDN'T LIKE MUSICALS - B3 Theater - April 17-26 2026

originally produced by Starkid Productions - directed by Gabe Escudero

Everything in Hatchetfield seemed normal until people began singing... Then, they began dancing... And now, a musical pandemic is sweeping the entire city. It’s up to Paul (an average guy who doesn’t like musicals) and his friends to stop this musical apocalypse and fight for humanity’s future.

All performances will be held at:

Shadow Rock United Church of Christ

12861 N 8th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85029

CLICK HERE for more information, and to purchase tickets, when available 

PERFECT ARRANGEMENT - B3 Theater - June 5-14 2026

by Topher Payne, directed by Sarah White

Inspired by the true story of the earliest stirrings of the gay rights movement, Perfect Arrangement merges madcap sitcom-style laughs with provocative drama as two closeted U.S. State Department employees struggle to maintain their cover – and their sanity – in 1950s America.

All performances will be held at:

Shadow Rock United Church of Christ

12861 N 8th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85029

CLICK HERE for more information, and to purchase tickets, when available 

WIT - 5th Wall Playhouse - January 16-25, 2026

By Margaret Edson

Directed by Rob Evans 

Vivian Bearing, Ph.D., a renowned scholar of metaphysical poetry, is used to being the smartest person in the room. But when she is diagnosed with terminal cancer, her intellect becomes both her armor and her undoing. Wit is a profoundly moving and surprisingly funny journey through illness, isolation, and self-discovery. As Vivian endures experimental treatments and clinical detachment, she begins to reevaluate her life, her work, and the simple grace of human connection. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize, Margaret Edson’s Wit is a luminous meditation on life’s final exam—tender, raw, and deeply humane. This production invites audiences to confront mortality with open hearts and open minds.

CLICK HERE for more information, and to purchase tickets, when available

TOPDOG/UNDERDOG - 5th Wall Playhouse - November 14-23, 2025

By Suzan-Lori Parks

Directed by Richard Powers-Hardt & Felicia Penza

Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, Topdog/Underdog is a riveting exploration of brotherhood, survival, and identity. Lincoln and Booth—brothers abandoned by their parents—navigate the fragile line between love and resentment in a claustrophobic one-room existence. Lincoln, once a master of three-card monte, now impersonates Abraham Lincoln at an arcade for a paycheck, while Booth plots to master the con and reclaim power. As old wounds resurface and long-buried secrets unravel, the play builds to a jaw-dropping climax. Suzan-Lori Parks weaves lyrical dialogue, dark comedy, and blistering emotional truth in this searing portrait of family and fate. Topdog/Underdog is a haunting showdown about who wins, who loses, and what it costs to play the game.

CLICK HERE for more information, and to purchase tickets, when available

GLORIA - 5th Wall Playhouse - March 20-29, 2026

By Branden Jacobs-Jenkins

Directed by: Richard Powers-Hardt

In the cutthroat world of New York magazine publishing, ambition is a survival skill—and no one wants to be forgotten. Gloria starts as a biting workplace comedy and evolves into something shockingly profound. When a traumatic event rocks the office, the survivors scramble to make sense of it—and profit from it. Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’s razor-sharp play examines the hunger for recognition, the ethics of storytelling, and the blurred lines between trauma and exploitation. With whip-smart dialogue and wicked humor, Gloria exposes the dark underbelly of our cultural obsession with fame, tragedy, and who gets to tell the story. Part satire, part thriller, Gloria will leave you breathless.

CLICK HERE for more information, and to purchase tickets, when available

KIMBERLY AKIMBO - Order Chaos Theater Company - October 10-26, 2025

 

Directed by Mark-Alan C. Clemente

The Play that the musical was based on. Set in the wilds of suburban New Jersey, KIMBERLY AKIMBO is a hilarious and heartrending play about a teenager with a rare condition causing her body to age faster than it should. When she and her family flee Secaucus under dubious circumstances, Kimberly is forced to reevaluate her life while contending with a hypochondriac mother, a rarely sober father, a scam-artist aunt, her own mortality and, most terrifying of all, the possibility of first love.

Content Advisory:  Adult language and strong profanity

This is NOT the Broadway musical, it is the play that inspired it.

Fri, Oct 10, 2025 7:00 PM

Sat, Oct 11, 2025 2:00 PM

Sat, Oct 11, 2025 7:00 PM

Sun, Oct 12, 2025 2:00 PM

Fri, Oct 17, 2025 7:00 PM

Sat, Oct 18, 2025 2:00 PM

Sat, Oct 18, 2025 7:00 PM

Sun, Oct 19, 2025 2:00 PM

Fri, Oct 24, 2025 7:00 PM ASL performance

Sat, Oct 25, 2025 2:00 PM

Sat, Oct 25, 2025 7:00 PM

Sun, Oct 26, 2025 2:00 PM

CLICK HERE for more information, and to purchase tickets

CLAUS & EFFECT A TROPICAL HOLIDAY - Order Chaos Theater Company - December 11-21, 2025

By Jean-Paoul Clemente

T’was a weekend before Christmas, and Mrs. Claus let us in on a little secret. This lighthearted holiday story explores the comedic and heartfelt adventures of Mrs. Claus and her Elves offer a unique twist on the Holiday Season filled with the traditional and not so traditional. This musical cabaret style production wrapped up with Songs, Stories and a whole lot of cheer. This holiday production is sure to warm hearts, tickle funny bones, and leave everyone humming all the way home.

Thu, Dec 11, 2025 7:00 PM

Fri, Dec 12, 2025 7:00 PM

Sat, Dec 13, 2025 2:00 PM

Sat, Dec 13, 2025 7:00 PM

Sun, Dec 14, 2025 2:00 PM

Thu, Dec 18, 2025 7:00 PM

Fri, Dec 19, 2025 7:00 PM ASL performance

Sat, Dec 20, 2025 2:00 PM

Sat, Dec 20, 2025 7:00 PM

Sun, Dec 21, 2025 2:00 PM

CLICK HERE for more information, and to purchase tickets

JANE ANGER - Order Chaos Theater Company - January 16-February 1, 2026

Directed by Chanel Bragg and Meribeth Reeves

This laugh-out-loud comedy is a bold and hilarious exploration of creativity, ambition, and the power of women’s voices. It's 1606, and an egomaniacal Shakespeare is suffering from writer’s block. London’s theaters are shuttered due to the plague, leaving the Bard quarantined with his “young” apprentice, Francis. Suddenly, Jane Anger, a cunning woman and writer with ambitions to reshape history, climbs through the window. With her sharp wit and determination, Jane, along with Anne Hathaway (of Stratford, not Hollywood), steps in to upend Shakespeare's attempts at crafting King Lear.

Content Advisory: Adult language, profanity, sexual innuendo and references, blood, and comic violence.

Fri, Jan 16, 2026 7:00 PM

Sat, Jan 17, 2026 2:00 PM

Sat, Jan 17, 2026 7:00 PM

Sun, Jan 18, 2026 2:00 PM

Fri, Jan 23, 2026 7:00 PM

Sat, Jan 24, 2026 2:00 PM

Sat, Jan 24, 2026 7:00 PM

Sun, Jan 25, 2026 2:00 PM

Fri, Jan 30, 2026 7:00 PM ASL performance

Sat, Jan 31, 2026 2:00 PM

Sat, Jan 31, 2026 7:00 PM

Sun, Feb 1, 2026 2:00 PM

CLICK HERE for more information, and to purchase tickets

A MOON FOR THE MISBEGOTTEN - Order Chaos Theater Company - April 10-26, 2026

Directed by Mark-Alan C. Clemente

Inspired by autobiographical elements of Eugene O’Neill’s life, A Moon for the Misbegotten brings James “Jamie” Tyrone, Jr. to the home of his tenant farmer, Mike Hogan, a salty Irish geezer. There he encounters, after years, Hogan’s daughter, Josie. During one moonlit night, as the lovestruck Josie seems to claim him as her own, the truculent, drunken Jamie drowns in a wave of self-pity and remorse. When dawn comes, the moon is gone and so is the man, leaving Josie with a new challenge to her dauntless spirit.

Content Advisory: Adult language and strong profanity.

Fri, Apr 10, 2026 7:00 PM

Sat, Apr 11, 2026 2:00 PM

Sat, Apr 11, 2026 7:00 PM

Sun, Apr 12, 2026 2:00 PM

Fri, Apr 17, 2026 7:00 PM

Sat, Apr 18, 2026 2:00 PM

Sat, Apr 18, 2026 7:00 PM

Sun, Apr 19, 2026 2:00 PM 

Fri, Apr 24, 2026 7:00 PM ASL performance

Sat, Apr 25, 2026 2:00 PM

Sat, Apr 25, 2026 7:00 PM

Sun, Apr 26, 2026 2:00 PM

CLICK HERE for more information, and to purchase tickets

Auditions for A CHRISTMAS CAROL at TheaterWorks announced for September 20 & 21

 

Director: Chris Hamby

Assistant Director: Cydney Trent

Stage Manager: Mimi Aguilar

WHERE:

TheaterWorks- 10580 N 83rd Drive Peoria, AZ 85345

WHEN:

AUDITIONS:

Saturday September 20 5-9pm

Sunday September 21 10am-2pm

CALLBACKS:

Saturday October 4 5-9pm

Sunday October 5 10am-2pm

PERFORMANCES:

December 5, 2025 through December 21, 2025

Day time weekday performances on December 11, 2025 and December 16, 2025

WHO: 

Local actors ages 8+. (No AEA contracts are available.)

All actors 18+ who are cast will receive a stipend.

WHAT: 

Please prepare one of the provided audition monologues found attached to this signup, or a monologue of your choices that fits the following criteria: 1 minute in length, comedic or dramatic.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: 

An audition form and draft rehearsal calendar are attached. Please make sure all known conflicts are listed in relation to the calendar, whether a day is marked for rehearsal or not. Bring your completed audition form, resume, and headshot with you to your appointment. Auditioners 17 and younger should fill out the YOUTH audition form, auditioners 18+ should fill out the ADULT audition form.

Do not email audition forms, headshots, etc ahead of time. If you need a special accommodation or have a conflict with the audition please reach out to Courtney Stevens at: cstevens@theaterworks.org

SHOW INFORMATION

This holiday season, Theater Works is thrilled to reimagine the timeless classic A Christmas Carol like never before! With dazzling new designs, heart-pounding stage magic, and a fresh creative vision, we’re continuing our tradition of bringing Charles Dickens’ iconic tale to life.

Now is your chance to be part of the magic! We’re casting dynamic performers to help us breathe new life into this festive story of redemption, joy, and the true spirit of the season. Whether you’ve graced our stage before or are stepping into the spotlight for the first time — we want YOU to audition!

Join us on this exhilarating journey and help create a holiday experience our audiences will never forget.

CLICK HERE for more information

Auditions for GRIEVING GIRLS AND THEIR TOTALLY MAGICAL SOURDOUGH SPELL at Valley Players announced for August 30

 

CLICK HERE for more information 

Your first look at THE PRINCE OF EGYPT at TheaterWorks

photos by Carly Weekley

CLICK HERE for more information on this production, which runs through September 14

Cast announced for CABARET at Fountain Hills Theater

CLICK HERE for more information on this production, which runs September 5-September 21

Emcee: Stefan Linder

Sally Bowles: Gabi Johnson

Cliff Bradshaw: Zeke Collins

Fraulein Schneider: Noel Irick

Herr Schultz: Henry Male

Fraulein Kost/Schneider US: Cindy Pruett

Max: Peter J. Hill

Ernst Ludwig: Mike Romano

Victor/Kit Kat Boy/ Officer/Max US: Mark Knoblauch

Kit Kat Girl / Lulu: Brittany Foster

Kit Kat Girl / Texas / US for Kost: Ainsley Campbell

Kit Kay Girl / Helga: Ashley Letizia

Kit Kat Girl / Frenchie: Aspen Ware

Kit Kat Girl / Fritzie: Vivian Lin

Kit Kat Girl / Rosie: Kelsey Ruggaard 

Kit Kat Boy / Bobby / Victor US: Nicholas Langdon

Young German Boy: Alaric Harris-Wylde

Childsplay's YETi Announces Auditions for LUNA & SOLIS (Ages 12-18) on September 20

Director: Thomas Underdal

Stage Manager: Alexis Nomorosa

YETi Program Manager: Rachel McCabe

Audition info & Form: https://www.childsplayaz.org/lunasolis

Questions? Email yeti@childsplayaz.org

The sun and the moon have loved one another from afar for eons, but their responsibility to humanity keeps them apart. They are only able to meet in person during an eclipse, when they take corporeal form. However, eventually they grew weary of putting the lives of humans above their one happiness, and decide to run away together during the latest solar eclipse. What will humankind have to do to restore the balance?

In Person Auditions: Saturday, September 20th from 6 PM – 8 PM 

Video Auditions Due: Friday, September 19th  at 11:59 PM  

Callbacks: Monday, September 22nd from 6 PM – 8:30 PM 

First Rehearsal/Table Read: Saturday, September 27th from 1:30 PM – 5:00 PM 

We will also have our Parent/Caregiver Meeting at the first rehearsal. A guardian must attend the first 30 minutes of the rehearsal to review the actor contract and ask any questions they might have about the rehearsal process. 

Rehearsals: 

Will meet on Saturdays between 1 - 5 PM, plus an additional 1-2 days a week 

Rehearsals will take place at our campus in downtown Tempe: 900 S. Mitchell Drive, Tempe AZ 85281 

Exact rehearsal dates are determined based on availability/conflicts given by production staff and actors, we will have a preliminary outline by the first rehearsal 

Tech Week: November 2-5

Please keep Sunday open all day

Mon - Wed times: 5:30 PM - 10 PM

Shows at the Childsplay Campus of Imagination and Wonder (subject to change): 

Thursday, November 6th at 7:00 PM   

Friday, November 7th at 7:00 PM   

Saturday, November 8th at 7:00 PM   

Thursday, November 13th at 7:00 PM 

Friday, November 14th at 7:00 PM   

Saturday, November 15th at 7:00 PM

Character Break Down

Note: Depending on the number of performers, there may be understudies/swings, double cast characters, or actors playing multiple roles. 

Sienna: Strong, stubborn, brave. Requires some singing. [Female] 

Aaron: Kind. Imaginative. Loyal. Requires some singing. [Male] 

Luna: The moon. Calming. Earnest. [Female, Non-binary] 

Solis: The Sun. Effervescent. Bold. [Female, Non-binary] 

Sam: Sienna's parent. [Any] 

Amara: Aaron's parent. [Any] 

Dez: Dolo's son. Bully. Confident. [Any] 

Dolo: Smooth-talking politician. Charming, but alarming. [Any] 

Pithy: Mysterious. Magical. Witch of the Woods. [Any] 

Additional Characters: Villagers, Jimmy, Tommy, Karen, Shop Owner, Shadow Trolls, Sea Beast 

Questions? Email yeti@childsplayaz.org

The Bridge Initative's 2025/2026 Season!

Rebels & Royals: A Shakespeare Event

Fri, Aug 29 @ 7:30pm (7pm share)

at ASU Kerr – $12 ($10 at the door)

A bold celebration of Shakespeare with scenes & sonnets, featuring local pros and Arizona Actors Academy students

CLICK HERE for tickets

Season Kick-off Singalong

Fri, Sept 5 @ 7:30pm (7:15pm doors open)

at ASU Kerr – $12 ($10 at the door)

Celebrate the new season with song, community, and surprises led by TBI and pianist Lincoln Wright, in partnership with Musical Theatre Alliance of Arizona

CLICK HERE for tickets

Unstandard: Songs in the Key of She

featuring Felicia Penza

Mon, Oct 6 @ 7:30pm (7pm song share)

at ASU Kerr – $35-43**

A woman unspooling her story – on her own terms, in her own key.

CLICK HERE for tickets

See Jane Run: An Indo Story

Mon, Oct 27 @ 7:30pm

at ASU Kerr – $35-43**

A solo memoir play written & performed by Dr. Jane Vogel Mantiri about identity, resilience, and the Indo experience.

CLICK HERE for tickets

Monday Night Musicals

featuring Catherine, Seth, and friends

Mon, Nov 10 @ 7:30pm (7pm song share)

at ASU Kerr – $35-43**

A fast-paced evening of musical theatre showstoppers showcasing some the Valley’s hottest talent!

CLICK HERE for tickets

Oy to the World:

A Hanukkah Musical Revue

Mon, Dec 1 @ 7:30pm (7pm song share)

at ASU Kerr – $35-43**

A joyful Hanukkah musical revue created by Rebecca & Josh Weinstein celebrating Jewish culture through song, stories, and humor!

CLICK HERE for tickets

**ASU Kerr event tickets available online & in person at the box office (reduced fees)

Student / Senior / Artist / Educator rate $18-25 for Bridge Cabaret Plus events ONLY available through ASU Kerr box office, 6110 N. Scottsdale Rd. / 480–596–2660

2026 TICKETS COMING SOON…

Little Women

The Broadway Musical (a concert staging)

book by Allan Knee, Music by Jason Howland, Lyrics by Mindi Dickstein

based on the novel by Louisa May Alcott

Sunday, February 8 @ 2pm & Monday, February 9 @ 7:30pm

at ASU Kerr – $35-43**

LITTLE WOMEN is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com

Stop Kiss 

by Diana Oh

March 6, 12, 14 @ 7:30pm & March 7, 15 @ 2pm

at Tempe Center for the Arts

STOP KISS is presented by special arrangement with Broadway Licensing, LLC, servicing the Dramatists Play Service collection. www.dramatists.com

I’ll Eat You Last: A Chat with Sue Mengers 

by John Logan

featuring Laura Durant

March 7, 13 @ 7:30pm & March 8, 11, 14 @ 2pm

at Tempe Center for the Arts

I’LL EAT YOU LAST: A CHAT WITH SUE MENGERS is presented by special arrangement with Broadway

Licensing, LLC, servicing the Dramatists Play Service collection. www.dramatists.com

Bridge Cabaret PLUS Play Reading, Title TBA

Thursday, April 9 @ 7:30pm

at ASU Kerr – $12 ($10 at the door)

Bridge Cabaret PLUS Musical Cabaret & Song Share

Artist TBA

Monday, May 11 @ 7:30pm / 7p song share

at ASU Kerr – $35-43**

CLICK HERE for more information

Your first look at ANASTASIA at Hale Centre Theatre

photos by Nick Woodward-Shaw

CLICK HERE for more information on this production, which runs through October 4

An Inside Look: The Actresses Bringing GRACE AND GLORIE at Black Theatre Troupe to Life

Ryan L. Jenkins and Shari Watts
Photo by Laura Durant

by Gil Benbrook

In Tom Ziegler’s heartfelt play Grace and Glorie, two very different women form an unlikely bond that changes them both in profound ways. Set against the backdrop of rural Virginia, the story follows Glorie, a former high-powered New York City executive who relocates with her family to the South, and Grace, a fiercely independent elderly farm woman who has returned to her cherished home to spend her final days. Their connection begins when Glorie becomes Grace’s hospice volunteer, but what unfolds is a touching and often humorous exploration of friendship, resilience, and the lessons we learn from one another.

Black Theatre Troupe brings this tender and funny story to life on stage with Shari Watts and Ryan L. Jenkins as Grace and Glorie, under Chanel Bragg's direction, with performances at Helen K. Mason Performing Arts Center from September 5-21.

In between rehearsals, Watts and Jenkins sat down to answer some questions about this production and share their thoughts on stepping into these complex roles. They also reflect on the challenges and joys of bringing such richly drawn characters to life, the emotional resonance of the play’s themes, the moments of humor and humanity that make Grace and Glorie so moving, and what they hope audiences will take away from this intimate and meaningful story.

Shari Watts

What can you tell us about the character you play and what do you find most compelling about her story?

"I play Grace, a feisty opinonated ninety-year-old illiterate widow with cancer from the Appalachian Mountains area in Virginia. She has never been more than 50 miles from her farm.  She left her church 50 years ago but keeps a tight hold on her relationship with God. She has come home from the hospital after refusing further treatment to live out her final days among her land even as it is being bulldozed away after she had to sell it. All that was enough to be compelling to an actor let alone the rest of the story between the two women and the playwrights’ words"

How did you approach portraying the emotional journey these women go through while still bringing out the humor in the script?

"To have Chanel (Bragg) as our director and Phoenix (Jacob) as our stage manager create a truly safe process where we can be vulnerable and express our emotions to each other and then find the needed moments that create the humor our characters share out of the circumstances and their differences, is a gift to actors."

The play explores themes of unlikely friendships, aging, loss, and personal growth. Which of the themes resonates most strongly with you and why?

"Grace resonates with me in so many ways according to my own life. Aging, loss of the family farm, loved ones passing, moving away from organized religion but staying spiritually connected to a higher power and finding connections with other people of all ages and walks of life in various unlikely ways."

Did the two of you work together before or know each other? How do you work together to create the believable bond that develops between Grace and Glorie?

"I have followed Ryan since I first saw her in a small part at Stray Cat Theatre. She held me with her presence.  Then I really saw her huge talent in Sunset Baby at Black Theatre Troupe. I have seen her perform many times since and I have gone up to her at auditions and expressed how I would love to be able to work with her.  I truly think somehow this was meant to be and I am so grateful. "

What do you hope audiences will take away from experiencing this play and these two characters at Black Theatre Troupe?

"I hope the audience takes with them the beauty of life. What we all have in common being human when the heart opens and guides us. Lord knows, we sure need that now more than anything!"

Ryan L. Jenkins 

What can you tell us about the character you play and what do you find most compelling about her story?

"Gloria Whitmore has worked hard to define success on her terms. She wants to be respected, and for her efforts and talents to be acknowledged. The way she voices her opinion, vocally advocates for others, and challenges traditional ideals of gender roles and religion have been fascinating to investigate and craft."

How did you approach portraying the emotional journey these women go through while still bringing out the humor in the script?

"All the pain, fear, uncertainty, and brevity is rooted in the truth of these character's lives and the moments they share. They connect through their explorations of the beautiful AND ugly sides of life itself, through the lenses of their respective lives. Allowing space for us to express heavier emotions as raw and messy as they can be gives the humorous and touching moments a deeper resonance as well."

The play explores themes of unlikely friendships, aging, loss, and personal growth. Which of the themes resonates most strongly with you and why?

"Currently, aging and loss are resonating most with me. The concept of time and change is ever present, and brings aging and loss with it. We lose loved ones as we age, and at times we lose parts of ourselves (for better and worse) as we experience life. Aging is a temporary privilege that is too often stigmatized and feared, while a person's life is equally too often celebrated at its end. "

Did the two of you work together before or know each other? How do you work together to create the believable bond that develops between Grace and Glorie?

"This is my first time working with Shari, and I've been a fan of her work for years now. The rehearsal process has granted us time to personally connect in addition to crafting these characters and their stories."

What do you hope audiences will take away from experiencing this play and these two characters at Black Theatre Troupe?

"There is strength in caring for others, AND caring about others."

CLICK HERE for more information on Grace and Glorie at Black Theatre Troupe, which runs September 5-September 21

Auditions for URINETOWN at Chandler Gilbert Community College announced for September 4

 

Director/Choreographer: Sara Bruton

Music Directors: Anthony Procopio and Joey Johnston

Auditions will take place September 4th in the black box (PAC 150) at Chandler-Gilbert Community College.  We ask that you arrive 10 minutes early for your time slot and check-in in the green room in the PAC building. There will be an audition form for you to fill out electronically on your phone or any device you have on hand.

Callbacks will be held September 5th at 4p, by invitation. This form will be updated prior to auditions with a link to callback materials for all characters. Unfortunately there is no way to predict what you will be called back for but if you'd like to get a jumpstart on preparing callback materials we'd like to give you that option.

What to Prepare- 32 bars of a Music Theatre song in the style of the show. 32 bars is about 1 minute of music.  Please bring printed and clearly marked sheet music to the audition, we will have a live pianist to play for your audition.

Show Information:

The production class is a 1 credit course. All participants are required to enroll prior to the start of rehearsals. Below is some general information about the process.

Rehearsals:

Starting Tuesday September 9th

Tuesday/Thursday 4p-6:30p

Friday 4p-8p

Tech Process:

Friday 10/31, Spacing, 4p-8p

Monday 11/3, Tech, 4p-8:30p

Tuesday 11/4, Sitzprobe, 4p-10p

Wednesday-Thursday 11/5-11/6, Tech 4p-8:30p

Dress Rehearsals:

11/7 and 11/10-11/11, 4p-10p

Shows:

November 12-14 at 7pm

November 15th at 2P

CLICK HERE for more information and to sign up for an audition time

SIX ROUNDS OF VENGEANCE - All Queer Shakespeare & Ronin Theatre Company - September 11-28, 2025

 

By Qui Nguyen

 

Presented by All Queer Shakespeare & Ronin Theatre Company

Arizona Premiere

In post-apocalyptic "Lost Vegas," a young gunslinger named Jess December enlists the help of a mysterious cowboy to help avenge the murder of her sister. However, the gang they'll be going against have powers that go way beyond just gunpowder and steel. To get revenge, they may have to become just as bloodthirsty as the monsters they're facing.

Get ready for a high-octane, post-apocalyptic Wild Western, Fight show, like nothing you’ve seen on stage before. Written by acclaimed playwright Qui Nguyen (She Kills Monsters, Raya and the Last Dragon), Six Rounds of Vengeance is packed with sword fights, grit, queer heroes, and grindhouse style.

Set in the ruins of “Lost Vegas,” this action packed thrill ride follows Jess, a one-armed lesbian gunslinger on a mission to avenge her sister’s death. Alongside a masked vigilante and a bard with a blade, she battles supernatural enemies, brutal warlords, and her own past to find her hero’s journey!

Directed by Ric Alpers, with jaw-dropping fight choreography from Pantheon: A Team of Fight Directors, this Arizona premiere features a majority POC, LGBTQ+ cast that brings raw power and heart to the stage.

Cast:

Rachelle Dart as “Jess December” 

Courtney Kenyon as “Gabby December”

Marshall Vosler as “Lucky”

Featuring:

 Emmanuel Espinoza as “Nathaniel”

 Brenton Lanier as “Malcolm”

 Ricardo Leon as “Don Diego/Ensemble”

 Andy Gongora as “Dingo/Ensemble”

 Ryan “Raffa” Pierce-Hrechany as “Birdman/Ensemble”

September 11–14 at Irish Cultural Center, Downtown Phoenix

September 18–28 at Scottsdale Neighborhood Arts Place

"Overflowing with awesome stage combat and imaginative writing, this show packs a huge theatrical punch"

— TheatreMania 

More info: 

The show runs less than two hours, with a 15 minute intermission. 

There will also be a local Irish, Queer Boutique which supports the theater at intermission, themed drinks, and more! 

Please note the show will have violence on stage, in the form of guns, swords, found weapons, staged blood, death and more.

Tickets at: AllQueerShakespeare.com