Arizona Theatre Matters Day Proclaimed by Glendale Mayor

The Mayor of Glendale, Arizona has officially proclaimed August 16, 2024, as Arizona Theatre Matters Day, recognizing the significant contributions of the organization to the cultural landscape of the city and state. The proclamation highlights Arizona Theatre Matters' (ATM) commitment to diversity, inclusion, and accessibility in the performing arts.

ATM's BIPOC, Deaf sign language team, a unique and groundbreaking ensemble, marked this historic occasion with a powerful performance of a scene from "When Churchyards Yawn" on their YouTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/@arizonatheatrematters The performance showcased the talent and artistry of the performers while highlighting the importance of representation and inclusion in the arts.

BIPOC, Deaf talent shines in ATM's 'When Churchyards Yawn' performance, celebrating Glendale's recognition of August 16 as Arizona Theatre Matters Day.
 photo by Ololade Adekanmi

"We are honored and humbled by the Mayor's proclamation," said Jeanmarie Simpson, Founding Artistic Director of Arizona Theatre Matters. "This recognition validates our mission to make universally accessible art. We believe that theatre should be accessible to everyone, and we are committed to pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the performing arts."

About Arizona Theatre Matters

Arizona Theatre Matters (ATM) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 2012. ATM is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and accessible theatre environment that reflects the rich diversity of humanity. Through mainstage productions, educational workshops, and community outreach programs, ATM empowers artists and audiences alike, providing a platform for underrepresented voices and stories.  

ATM's commitment to diversity, inclusion, and accessibility is evident in their casting choices, creative teams, and production practices. The company actively seeks out BIPOC artists, and those who are Blind, Deaf, mature and have disabilities, ensuring that their work represents the full spectrum of human experience. By incorporating sign language, audio description, and other accessibility measures into their productions, ATM strives to make their work welcoming for everyone.  

ATM's innovative and socially relevant productions have garnered recognition and support from prestigious organizations, including multi-year funding from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Arizona Commission on the Arts, and the Living History Foundation. This support affirms ATM's commitment to artistic excellence and its significant impact on Arizona's cultural landscape.

Arizona Theatre Matters announces Video Audition submissions due date of August 3 for PINEAPPLE AND OTHER OPTIONS

Equity and NonEquity Actors! 

AUDITIONS!

Pineapple and Other Options

by Jeanmarie Simpson

SHOW DATES - November 5-21.

VENUE - TBA, but we're looking for something central Phoenix Metro.

Video auditions, In-person callbacks.

ROLES AVAILABLE

Helen - 50s, teacher, breast cancer survivor

AJ - 50s, codependent hotline volunteer

Jan - 50s - 80s, hotline supervisor

ALL ROLES will be cast with BIPOC and LGBTQI actors who can play female-identifying characters.

Email videos NO LATER than August 3rd to: arizonatheatrematters@gmail.com

Perform your favorite material for us. Can be one piece, or a couple. Just not too long to email, obviously.

Arizona Theatre Matters announces call for play and actor/director submissions for their WE AIN'T DONE YET THEATRE FEST

Arizona Theatre Matters announces

A CALL FOR ARTISTS!!!

We Ain’t Done Yet Theatre Fest

SAVE THE DATE!

Phoenix Center for the Arts

November 9, 2019

*PERFORMANCE! * Panels *
*Discussion * CELEBRATION!

SCRIPT Submission Deadline: March 1, 2019
ACTOR/DIRECTOR Submission Deadline: February 15, 2019


Arizona Theatre Matters (ATM) is excited to begin planning for its 2019-2020 season by launching a call for writers and performers to participate in our first annual We Ain’t Done Yet Festival which showcases some of the Valley’s most accomplished, virtuosic performers. ATM calls for Phoenix Metro area artists to get involved in two ways – by responding to the call for performers and directors and by submitting 10-minute plays. Both calls are opportunities for a new collective of artists to collaborate and to increase access for women over 40 to dynamic theatre created just for them – and for audiences to discover the untapped brilliance of the majority population of theatre artists worldwide.

ATM’s Call for Creative Artists will generate a directory of Phoenix Metro area woman artists aged 40 and beyond. The goal is both to expand our current pool of artists for next year’s festival and to increase awareness of the depth and breadth of talent in the constellation of regional elder woman performers. ALL PERFORMANCES WILL BE SIGNED AND DESCRIBED. ARTISTS WITH DISABILITIES ARE ENCOURAGED TO PARTICIPATE.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES FOR DIRECTORS and ACTORS: Please send a note HERE by February 15th that includes a short bio in the body of the message. Let us know if you’d like to work on one or multiple plays, and what is your schedule, especially over the summer and into the fall.

In addition to Pamela Sterling’s new tour de force Louisa May Alcott – the power of a woman and other invited solo performers, the festival will feature a woman-only, ensemble production of A Single Woman. There are dozens of historical characters in the show and can be played from just one additional actor to an ensemble of up to 20 – the shape of our production will depend on the response, so please mention if you’re interested in participating in that exciting highlight of the festival. All artists will receive honoraria.

NOTABLE Historical Characters INCLUDE

Coretta Scott King * John F. Kennedy * Speaker Sam Rayburn * Franklin Delano Roosevelt * Maury Maverick * Fiorello LaGuardia * Harry Truman * Carrie Chapman Catt * Alice Paul * “Uncle Joe” Cannon

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES FOR PLAYWRIGHTS:

Overview

ATM’s call for 10 Minute Plays offers playwrights the opportunity to submit for consideration one-act plays with running times of no more than 10 minutes.  There will be 3 scripts chosen for the festival. All chosen playwrights will receive honoraria.

Electronic submissions only.

Send to ArizonaTheatreMatters@gmail.com as a PDF document only.

Must have the playwright’s name, address, e-mail address and telephone number on the title page.

To be accepted scripts must:

Be original and unpublished.

Be written in generally accepted playscript format.

Have a running time of not more than 10 minutes.

Be a comedy, drama, mystery or thriller containing ONLY characters written for woman actors over 40.

Be received no later than midnight Arizona time March 1, 2019.