Spring Arts & Culture Directory
Spring Arts & Culture SPRING 2018
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PUBLISHER Andrea Tyler Evans CREATIVE DIRECTOR Cheyenne Brumlow CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Tom Evans WEB EDITOR Jamie Killin CONTRIBUTING WRITER Lynette Carrington
GENERAL INFORMATION & PRESS RELEASES info@frontdoorsmedia.com 3104 E. Camelback Road #967 | Phoenix, AZ 85016 480-622-4522 |
ON THE COVER Figura No. 1 by artist Tina Garrett
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WELCOME {spring arts & culture directory}
Frontdoors Media is once again putting a spotlight on the incredible arts organizations that call the Valley home in this 2018 Spring Arts & Culture Special Edition — a standalone, digital directory. We believe the arts have the rare ability to benefit the Valley because they attract creative people, bind communities and benefit the economy. So take a look at the best of what the Valley’s arts scene has to offer, and make sure to enjoy some of these spectacular events and exhibits this spring! We’re excited to share this special edition and all the organizations that are a part of it. Do you have visitors coming to town? Need something to entertain the children this weekend? We hope you will use this resource to discover a new place to find “something to do.” With more than 50 museums, performing arts and cultural destinations across the Valley one click away, we hope you will be back often to find something new or an old favorite you haven’t been to in a while. And make sure to let us know your recommendations along the way via email or social media — we’re just a click away too!
Andrea Andrea Tyler Evans PUBLISHER
@AndreaTEvans
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Table of Contents
FEATURE STORIES L ENHARDTS AIM TO ADVANCE CONTEMPORARY ART IN PHOENIX........ 06 ADAPTIVEWORKS CREATES NEW STARS. . ....................................................14 IRA GLASS AND THE ART OF STORYTELLING............................................. 20 SCOTTSDALE ARTISTS’ SCHOOL ALUM RETURNS TO EDUCATE.............. 30 ACTING UP: ARIZONA THEATRE COMPANY LAUNCHES 51st SEASON WITH NEW VISION AND DYNAMIC LEADERSHIP TEAM .... . . ...................... 38
PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS Act One Arizona Broadway Theater Arizona Citizens for the Arts Arizona Consortium for the Arts Arizona Heritage Center Arizona Opera Arizona Science Center ASU Gammage Ballet Arizona Black Theatre Troupe The Bridge Initiative: Women in Theatre Center Dance Ensemble Chandler Center for the Arts Chandler Museum Children’s Museum of Phoenix Childsplay Desert Botanical Garden Desert Foothills Theater Desert Sounds Performing Arts Desert Stages Theatre Free Arts Great Arizona Puppet Theater Hale Centre Theatre Heard Museum Herberger Theater
Kids in Focus Mesa Arts Center Museum of Northern Arizona Musical Instrument Museum MusicaNova Orchestra The Nash One Step Beyond, Inc. Phoenix Center for the Arts Phoenix Chorale Phoenix Theatre Phoenix Youth Symphony Phoenix Zoo ProMusica Arizona Rosie’s House Scottsdale Artists’ School Scottsdale Arts Scottsdale Gallery Association Scottsdale Philharmonic Shemer Art Center Theater Works Valley Youth Theatre Vision Gallery Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West
For information on being included in the Frontdoors Fall Arts & Culture Directory, please contact publisher@frontdoorsmedia.com
Spring Arts & Culture Directory
Lenhardts Aim to Advance Contemporary Art in Phoenix Jamie Killin | WEB EDITOR
The recently established David and Dawn Lenhardt Contemporary Art Initiative for the Phoenix Art Museum will establish several initiatives to elevate the museum’s contemporary art programming — including the annual Lenhardt Lecture, the Lenhardt Emerging Artist Acquisition Fund, the Lenhardt Collection loan program, and a named gallery space. “We are grateful to the Lenhardt family for their very generous support of contemporary art at Phoenix Art Museum,” said the museum’s Sybil Harrington Director and CEO Amada Cruz. “This investment empowers the museum to strengthen its focus on this key collecting area and has the potential to enable us in the future to attract important contemporary art collections to Phoenix.” David Lenhardt is the former president and CEO of PetSmart. He currently serves as a board member for Phoenix Children’s Hospital and Dogtopia. The Lenhardts established the unique fund, which is the first of its kind in the museum’s nearly 60-year history, in part to elevate contemporary art in Phoenix. “One of the intents here is to raise the profile of contemporary art, and of the Phoenix Art Museum in the country and in the world,” David Lenhardt said. “We’re the fifth largest city in the United States. We should have that kind of a contemporary art presence that befits a museum of that size and scale and of the community we represent.” The Lenhardts began collecting contemporary art in 2003 while traveling. They were initially 6 | FRONTDOORSMEDIA.COM
interested primarily in pop art, but have since become increasingly interested in living artists. “We became really intrigued with pop art to start, those sort of Andy Warhols of the world and Roy Lichtensteins. From there, over the years we have evolved into more living artists,” Lenhardt said. “I find it really enjoyable to be able to meet the artists, learn about them, see where they’re headed and collect their work.” Two of the aspects of the initiative Lenhardt is most excited about are the Emerging Artist Acquisition Fund and the annual Lenhardt Lecture, which will bring a prominent contemporary artist to Phoenix to speak and educate. “The intent is to have this art so that it’s accessible to the public. The other element of that is this Emerging Artist acquisition fund,” Lenhardt said. “The Lenhardt Lecture is really focused on established artists but on the opposite end of the spectrum, we also want to support and bring awareness to emerging artists in Phoenix.” In addition to supporting artists, the initiatives also aim to bring the community together through art and art education. “In Phoenix, we have such a diverse community. I think the arts have this wonderful ability to bring diverse groups together and to serve as a hub for the community,” Lenhardt said. “Certainly Phoenix Art Museum is a perfect place for that.”
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David and Dawn Lenhardt
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ACT ONE Founded on the belief that every child should have access to the arts, Act One provides children from Title 1 schools the opportunity to experience educational arts field trips, paying for the tickets and busing that too often are cut from school budgets. This year, Act One has capacity to bring more than 40,000 students on field trips in metropolitan Phoenix and Tucson thanks to the generous support of community donors. Act One also partners with dozens of arts organizations to make free admissions available through the Culture Pass, available in 60 libraries statewide. www.act1az.org
ARIZONA BROADWAY THEATRE Arizona Broadway Theatre, a 501 (c)(3) arts organization, has grown to become the highest attended year-round live theatre in the Valley of the Sun. Recognized as the “Best Playhouse” of the Valley by PHOENIX Magazine in 2010, ABT has redefined what it means to “grab dinner and a show.” Avoid having to rush around the Phoenix sprawl to enjoy a night out on the town. The “ABT Experience” has everything you need all in one convenient location! azbroadway.org
ARIZONA CITIZENS FOR THE ARTS Arizona Citizens for the Arts (AzCA) works every day to help build a vibrant, well-funded arts and culture sector that contributes to shaping the future for our young people and the vitality of our local communities. For more than 35 years, AzCA has been the voice of non-profit arts and culture, promoting arts-friendly public policy at all levels of government and increased funding, and insuring arts and culture gets rightful credit for the contributions it makes to local community vitality, tourism, business attraction and job growth. azcitizensforthearts.org
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JUne 1 30 (West Valley)
JULY 6 22 (Central/East Valley)
623.776.8400
602.252.8497
Buy ONE regular priced ADULT ticket and get ONE CHILD ticket FREE! Coupon Code: MPoppinsKids | Some Restrictions Apply
For venue information, visit
azbroadway.org/mary-poppins
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ARIZONA CONSORTIUM FOR THE ARTS The Arizona Consortium for the Arts is an all-volunteer (501c3) community organization. During the Annual Blue Guitar Festival of the Arts, the Annual Fall Festival of the Arts, the monthly Open Mics and Magazines, the public celebrates local artists through presentations, exhibitions, readings and performances. The Blue Guitar, a literary and arts magazine, features local emerging and established writers and artists. The Blue Guitar Jr. Edition features works by children and works by adults who write for children. Unstrung magazine is solely dedicated to poetry. We support and give voices and visibility to Arizona artists in all disciplines and genres, organizations and audiences through continuous events, festivals and programs free to the community. artizona.org
ARIZONA HERITAGE CENTER AT PAPAGO PARK Arizona Heritage Center at Papago Park, home of the Centennial Museum, features exhibits spanning 100 years of Central Arizona history, making it the perfect place to enjoy the best of Arizona’s past and present. Journey through time, from western frontier days through the post-war building boom. Learn how water sustains life in the desert and discover the beauty and variety of Arizona’s vast natural resources. Nestled in the foothills of beautiful Papago Park, the museum is ideal for group tours, corporate events, weddings and other indoor and outdoor functions. Arizona Heritage Center features regular presentations on topics and events impacting Arizona. arizonahistoricalsociety.org/museums/tempe
ARIZONA OPERA Arizona Opera’s 2018/19 Season will deliver stunning productions of classic operas supported by world-class singers, as well as new works that are adventurous, theatrical and inspire curiosity among audiences new to the art form. Opening the season late September with the sensual rhythms of tango in Maria de Buenos Aires; followed in November with the spirit of jazz and Charlie Parker’s Yardbird; begin the year with Verdi’s powerful and passionate masterpiece La Traviata; in March Pulitzer Prize-winning opera, Silent Night; and conclude the Season with the comic tale of The Marriage of Figaro. Arrive early to mix and mingle, and savor the music and energy of Arizona Opera. Performances held in Symphony Hall. azopera.org
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ARIZONA SCIENCE CENTER The mission of Arizona Science Center is to inspire, educate and engage curious minds through science. The Center features more than 300 hands-on exhibits, live demonstrations, the state-of-the-art Dorrance Planetarium and the five-story Irene P. Flinn Giant Screen Theater and the new CREATE makerspace. azscience.org
ASU GAMMAGE ASU Gammage has announced its historic 2017-2018 Desert Financial Federal Credit Union Broadway Across America – Arizona season. The season is anchored by HAMILTON and is packed with award-winning musicals, classics and the newest hits from Broadway. The season features the last two Tony Award® winners for Best Musical, HAMILTON and FUN HOME, as well as Best Revival winners THE COLOR PURPLE and THE KING AND I. The season also includes 2016’s Tony Award®-winning Best Play THE HUMANS along with other favorite musicals THE BODYGUARD, the hilarious SOMETHING ROTTEN!, and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s SCHOOL OF ROCK. asugammage.com
BALLET ARIZONA Ballet Arizona is the official Ballet Company of the State of Arizona whose mission is to create, perform, and teach outstanding classical and contemporary ballet. The company is dedicated to preserving and celebrating classical dance while creating and commissioning new innovative works. The 2017-18 season features a mix of classical ballets against contemporary dances. The season opens with Swan Lake, followed by the festive The Nutcracker, with Cinderella rounding out our classical season. Our spring season features contemporary ballets in Today’s Masters and All Balanchine, while a brand new ballet will be featured at An Evening at Desert Botanical Garden. balletaz.org
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A relentless advocate for more public and private funding for arts and culture in Arizona... An enthusiastic promoter of arts education in our schools... A reliable source of information on arts and culture issues for advocates, media, elected officials and voters... For more than 35 years, Arizona Citizens for the Arts has been the public voice of non-profit arts and culture. Our goal – a vibrant well-funded arts and culture sector that gets rightful credit for the contributions it makes to shaping the future for our young people and the vitality of our local communities. Along with more than 100 arts and culture organizations statewide and 5,000 citizen advocates, we do together what organizations alone cannot – change perceptions and change policy for the benefit of arts and culture in Arizona.
AZCitizensForTheArts.org
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BLACK THEATRE TROUPE Black Theatre Troupe’s acclaimed 2017/18 Season includes Caroline or Change, bringing Motown and gospel set against the backdrop of the Civil Rights movement, August Wilson’s epic Seven Guitars, Black Nativity, a legendary holiday event based on Harlem Renaissance poet Langston Hughes, a powerful look at school segregation with Lines in the Dust, and concluding with Blackberry Daze, a musical adaptation of Ruth P. Watson’s romantic mystery thriller. blacktheatretroupe.org
THE BRIDGE INITIATIVE: WOMEN IN THEATRE The Bridge Initiative: Women in Theatre incubates and celebrates professional female theatre artists, promoting gender parity across all theatrical disciplines. Upcoming programming: 2018 BUILDING MORE BRIDGES GALA CELEBRATION, Saturday, February 24th at 6 p.m. The evening will include food and drink, a silent auction, entertainment, community building… AND… the announcement of the title of our first full production to be staged for a three-week run in December 2018. And don’t miss HEARING HER VOICE: NEW WORK BY WOMEN, a monthly play-reading series hosted at the ASU Kerr Cultural Center, free to the public. bridgeinit.org
CENTER DANCE ENSEMBLE As the resident dance company at the Herberger Theater Center in downtown Phoenix, Center Dance Ensemble performs mesmerizing original works of classic modern dance. Sharpened and honed by the steady hand of Artistic Director Fran Cohen, each performance tells stories through movement, bringing unique choreography rooted in the groundbreaking philosophy of the great Martha Graham. This spring, Center Dance will bring two distinct pieces to the stage in March, the classic fairy-tale with a modern beat, Cinderella Rock! and a fascinating interpretation of Shakespeare’s Othello paired with pieces choreographed for his famous sonnets. The season concludes with American Voices, where choreography and spoken word converge in a celebration for National Poetry Month.
centerdance.com
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ADAPTIVEWORKS CREATES
NewStars UNIQUE THEATER PROGRAM ENGAGES PERFORMERS IN THE SPECIAL-NEEDS COMMUNITY By Lynette Carrington | CONTRIBUTING WRITER
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Since 1986, Theater Works has operated as a vibrant nonprofit theater, appealing to every age of theatergoer and performer. Recently, a program called AdaptiveWorks sprang forth within the theater company’s YouthWorks, creating unique performance opportunities for kids ages 12 and over within the specialneeds community. Producing artistic director for Theater Works, Chris Hamby, said this is the inaugural year of AdaptiveWorks. The group had its first production in November 2017 with Annie Jr. In its first year, AdaptiveWorks incorporated 20 participants — their target for their first year, accomplished with the help of their instructor, Brianna Funk. Funk worked within the disability and nonprofit communities for a decade and has been involved with Theater Works since her junior year in high school. “AdaptiveWorks is the culmination of about 10 years of programming with special-needs populations here at Theater Works,” Hamby said. “We have partnered with lots of outside organizations, mainly a fantastic group called One Step Beyond that works with young people and adults with cognitive disabilities.” The One Step Beyond partnership flourished, but if a performer wasn’t a part of one of those outside organizations, they couldn’t participate. AdaptiveWorks was born out of the theater wanting to bring wider exposure to specialneeds performers. The unique needs of the AdaptiveWorks artists are directly addressed with extra hands on deck. “One of the unique things one might see if they came to the AdaptiveWorks Annie Jr. as compared to our Theater Works Annie Jr. are shadow performers,” Hamby said. Shadow performers are dressed in black and work alongside actors, but their goal is to disappear. They serve as a hands-on resource for performers by prompting an actor with a line, helping with choreography or assisting with SPRING 2018
mobility challenges. The program seeks to give more resources to special-needs performers so they have every chance to shine. Feedback from AdaptiveWorks performers and audiences has been overwhelmingly supportive. “The feedback has been great, especially from the families of the performers,” Hamby said. “I’m noticing that there is not only a community of performers developing, but also a community of service providers, caregivers and family members that are finding their niche here, too.” He said performers and their family members are developing their own sense of collaboration and ownership in just about every area of theatrical production. The AdaptiveWorks 2018-2019 season includes two productions. The spring production of Disney’s The Aristocats KIDS takes place at 7 p.m. on April 10 and 11. The fall production is yet to be determined. Each seasonal program through AdaptiveWorks runs 13-14 weeks. In addition to AdaptiveWorks, other Theater Works programs include MasterWorks, YouthWorks and PuppetWorks. “As an organization, we plan out an entire season and our calendar is very tight,” Hamby said. “We try to share as many resources as we can, and our busy calendar is the key to that.” The Theater Works program is supported through tuition and fundraising. Hamby said that this inaugural year, they did receive some funding from the Peoria Arts Commission, and their annual gala also helps to raise money for programs like this. Theater Works’ home theater is the Peoria Center for the Performing Arts, located at 10580 N. 83rd Drive in Peoria.
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CHANDLER CENTER FOR THE ARTS The mission of the Chandler Center for the Arts is to make visual and performing arts available to the entire Chandler population; to become a creative force and an educational resource for the community; and to harness the economic vitality of the arts. As one of the leading performance venues in the Valley, Chandler Center for the Arts presents music, theatre and dance. See our entire season lineup and information on how to support the Chandler Cultural Foundation at chandlercenter.org. chandlercenter.org
CHANDLER MUSEUM The Chandler Museum is an innovative environment where the community comes together to share our stories, store our cultural heritage and experience Chandler as a people and place. The vision of the Museum is to be the community’s principal resource to explore its people’s history, culture, and their place in a rapidly changing world of today – within and without the walls of a building. More about our programs, exhibits and the building, set to open in late 2018, at chandlermuseum.org. chandlermuseum.org
CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF PHOENIX The Children’s Museum of Phoenix delivers rich learning opportunities to children in our community in a way that they learn best — through play. The Museum offers over 300 hands-on, open-ended, imaginative play experiences in a no-fail environment. Suited for children as small as infants up to 10 years old, the Children’s Museum of Phoenix offers programs and exhibits for multiple age groups. When here, children climb, build, pedal, slide, create, paint and so much more! Baby Zones are included in each exhibit space plus there’s a whole room devoted just for those 3 and younger. Come play and learn today! childrensmuseumofphoenix.org
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CHILDSPLAY Childsplay started in 1977 with a mission: to create theatre so strikingly original in form, content, or both, that it instills in young people an enduring awe, love and respect for the medium, thus preserving imagination and wonder, those hallmarks of childhood that are the keys to the future. Beyond the stage, Childsplay supports teachers by introducing creative drama techniques in the classroom, and the Childsplay Academy provides theatre training for children across the Valley with both summer and year-round classes. From new plays to beloved storybook adaptations, from creative play to literacy learning, Childsplay is four decades of imagination and wonder! childsplayaz.org
DESERT BOTANICAL GARDEN From sunrise to sunset, Desert Botanical Garden has you covered with many offerings this fall. Desert Botanical Garden is the largest botanical garden in the Southwest featuring 55,000 plants from around the world. The Garden allows visitors to experience the beauty of the desert like never before. For 78 years, The Garden’s commitment to the community is to advance excellence in education, research, exhibition and conservation of desert plants of the world with emphasis on the Southwestern United States. Spring events include the Jun Kaneko Sculpture Exhibit, the Devour Culinary Classic, Corks & Cactus wine tasting, and a Butterfly Exhibit. For more information about each event, tickets prices and more, visit dbg.org. dbg.org
DESERT FOOTHILLS THEATER Desert Foothills Theater is an award-winning theater that has been presenting work in the far north valley since 1975. Theater changes lives and we invite all community members to be part of that life-changing experience by providing performance, volunteer, education and attendance opportunities for everyone! We invite participation through open auditions for all adult and youth shows; through a variety of educational opportunities, including classes, camps, postperformance talkbacks, and pre-performance “meet ups”; and by providing volunteer opportunities in all areas and aspects of theater production. We invite everyone to join us in experiencing the life-changing world of theater. dftheater.org
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DESERT SOUNDS PERFORMING ARTS A sense of belonging (Jeremy Project), an opportunity to learn (musical mentors) and an occasion to share is what Desert Sounds Performing Arts gives underserved children. The Jeremy Project refurbishes donated/used instruments and lends them to children who otherwise would not be able to participate in their school-based band/orchestra programs. Our Musical Mentors teach children music and help them develop the skills for success in life. Mariachi Sones del Desierto, a multi-tiered program, teaches a diverse group of children in grades K-12 traditional mariachi music. Our programing is passing on to the next generation a love for the arts. desertsounds.org
DESERT STAGES THEATRE A bustling community playhouse, Desert Stages Theatre in Scottsdale is a nonprofit 501(c)3 that delivers performances year-round. Four show schedules occur throughout the year: Actor’s Café performances in the intimate 68-seat theatre; Mainstage Series in Cullity Hall, a 200-seat theatre; On Stage Children’s Series for ages 3-19, and Next Stage Series for 12-19, both also performed in Cullity Hall. DST also operates a theatrical academy (Center Stage, and many other classes) and offers a variety of music, dance and classes open to the community. desertstages.org
FREE ARTS Founded in 1993, Free Arts for Abused Children of Arizona is a non-profit organization which heals homeless and abused children through artistic expression. Free Arts programs include creative elements that promote safety, self-expression and a sense of belonging. All Free Arts programs, delivered by volunteers and artists, serve more than 8,000 children annually through partnerships with 45 social service child welfare agencies at 100+ sites across Maricopa County. freeartsaz.org
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VISIT
A Z HER ITAGE CENTER AT PAPAGO PARK
EXHIBITS, TOURS, EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS AND CHILDREN, PRIVATE EVENTS & MORE!
www.azhs.gov 480 929 0292 1300 N COLLEGE AVE | TEMPE, AZ 85281 SPRING 2018
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Jamie Killin | WEB EDITOR
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Spring Arts & Culture Directory What makes a story great? If you’ve ever written a book, produced a video or even wanted to seem more interesting at a cocktail party, you’ve probably asked yourself this question. It’s a concept the team behind “This American Life” has mastered. The weekly radio show has been on the air for over two decades, producing more than 600 episodes on a startling variety of topics. The show is heard by more than 2.2 million listeners each week over 500 radio stations across the country with each episode downloaded via podcast by an additional 2.5 million listeners.
compared this formula to another popular medium — musicals. He described an experience watching Fiddler on the Roof, a show he’d seen as a child with his mother, and his sudden realization as an adult that the magical formula of the musical echoed that of his own radio show — a humorous start, a thoughtful ending and a larger message about humanity. It’s a model that was present even in the talk, which featured surprise visits by a jovial high school mascot and whimsical stories about interviewing children on the failings of love, followed by deeper discussions on the increasingly murky and polarized media landscape.
The show’s creator Ira Glass has become a public figure in his own right — a National Radio Hall of Fame inductee, a Tonight Show guest and an Edward R. Murrow Award recipient, to name just a few of the honors on his long list of accolades.
“This American Life” has applied this principle to even the most commonplace topics. A perfect example, and one of Glass’s favorites, being the show that follows the victories and failures of a car dealership struggling to meet its monthly sales quota.
According to Glass, the making of a great story, or at least a great “This American Life” story, is somewhat simple.
“It’s such a simple idea but so much drama unfolded as we approached the end of the month,” Glass said. “There’s something about it that’s so simple and I really just loved the car salesmen. It was fun to get to know them and to watch them do their jobs, so that’s an episode I recommend.”
“The ideal ‘This American Life’ story starts fast, is surprising at the beginning and is really funny at the beginning. If you’ve got that, then it’s hard to mess it up,” Glass said. “Then, plot will unfold, stuff will continue to happen and there will be feelings at different points in the plot and it will lead to something that is about a bigger idea in some way.” The idea doesn’t have to be profound, Glass assured. If it’s simply interesting it will produce some sort of feeling by the end of the story. “Saying it like that out loud makes it seem like we’re such hacks,” he added. “We sound like the hackiest people in the world.” At his talk presented by Scottsdale Arts at Orpheum Theatre in January, Seven Things I’ve Learned: An Evening with Ira Glass, he
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While the formula clearly works, there are other elements that stand out when listening to episodes of “This American Life,” one of the most notable being the relationship between the reporters and their stories — and to the show itself. Throughout the years, listeners have heard Glass discuss his marriage, the death of a friend, his dog and his childhood ambition to become a magician. Glass relates his own anecdotes to universal themes that many listeners have experienced. “I think knowing more about the people making the show — me and the other
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producers — does make people feel closer to the show, and it makes people feel closer to us,” he said. “Saying it that way makes it sound like a mercenary strategy or something and it’s not. It really is that we’re just trying to make something that’s good.” In addition to the anecdotes about the reporters’ personal lives, listeners also gain insight into the reporter’s own experience navigating the story. One of the most impactful examples being Sarah Koenig’s reporting on “Serial,” the first spin-off of “This American Life.” “We’re very careful to strike a balance where we’re telling a fact-based story, where sometimes the reporter in it says, ‘Here’s what I was thinking at this point,’” said Glass. “Which is very much the model of ‘Serial.’ With Sarah, you know, she flips back and forth over the course of those episodes, thinking that the young man at the center was guilty or not guilty of committing a murder. That’s something we do with our stories on ‘This American Life’ all the time. I have to say there’s a deep tradition in journalism of that.” The explorative commentary lends itself to another critically important aspect of the success of “This American Life” — stories that provide commentary and context, differentiating themselves from the daily news journalism many are accustomed to. Glass recounts research done by National Public Radio on the listening habits of its NPR One app listeners that suggests that even in our fast-paced, attention-scattered society, people are still looking for stories and the context that makes them relevant. “People would stop listening to stories that would begin with, ‘Here’s what happened today.’ The ones that people would continue listening to would be the ones that would start with, ‘Here’s this issue. Here’s this thing that happens,’” he said. “They would get to the today later, so even though what we’re trained to do as journalists is say, ‘Here’s what happened today,’ it actually turns out that’s not as interesting as someone giving a little 22 | FRONTDOORSMEDIA.COM
context first. If you think about it from a human perspective that makes a lot of sense, because it gives stakes to what happened today.” Glass also notes the inherent power of radio, which he says has an immediate intimacy. “It’s somebody talking and you don’t see them and you’re just hearing their voice. There’s something incredibly powerful about that,” he said. “We send out an intern and the intern comes back with a tape that has that quality, like a beginner can do it on radio. It’s just incredibly powerful and that’s the special power of the medium; it’s like a machine for empathy in that way.” Despite this, even Glass shares that he was not always great at being on the radio, with one of the lessons at his talk being that it’s normal to be bad at something before you’re good. “It was a really long process of trial and error and being bad at and forcing myself to just go with it and fight another day,” he said of improving his skills. “When I first started ‘This American Life,’ one of the complaints we would get from program directors around the country was, ‘This is a pretty good show but are you going to get somebody to host?’” Glass said. “There was a feeling of ‘Ira’s a pretty good reporter, like he was a good reporter when he was on ‘All Things Considered’ but they wanted someone to be, like, the host.” However, the most enviable talent Glass has developed over the years may be an ability to make listeners care about a topic they’d never explore otherwise — like car dealership sales quotas, monkey selfies and their legal implications, the life of a polygraph operator and countless more. “What makes a really great radio show is that it starts with something that if you aren’t interested in it to start with, they make you really interested in it,” he said. “When it’s working well, you kind of like the person who’s telling the story and then they pull you into something that’s new.
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SPRING BUTTERFLY EXHIBIT FEB. 24 - MAY 13
SPRING 2018 select nights
FEB. 2 – JUNE 22
From the diverse line-up of Music in the Garden, to hundreds of butterflies waiting to greet you, experience the dazzling array of exhibitions and events at the Garden this spring.
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GET YOUR TICKETS
today
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THE GREAT ARIZONA PUPPET THEATRE The Great Arizona Puppet Theatre has been Arizona’s premier, awardwinning puppet theater since 1983. Our home is located in a beautiful, historic building in Central Phoenix. The theater is open year-round, performing shows Wednesday through Sunday for families and school groups. There is a special party room that is available for birthday parties or special events. GAPT also has a wide repertoire of traveling shows that can come directly to your home for parties or to schools and day cares throughout the Valley. Visit us at azpuppets.org or call 602-262-2050 for more information. azpuppets.org
HALE CENTRE THEATRE Arizona’s Premier Family Theatre in Gilbert since 2003, Hale Centre Theatre is a 350-seat theater-in-the-round that puts on exquisite family-friendly productions throughout the year. Hale is dedicated to providing patrons with the finest theatrical experience possible in an atmosphere as intimate and friendly as their own homes. In doing so, we have always selected shows which reflect our promise to provide fun and affordable entertainment. Come see how incredibly talented local actors bring the plays and musicals to life, making every production here a memorable experience! HaleTheatreArizona.com
HEARD MUSEUM Since its founding in 1929, the Heard Museum, a private non-profit organization, has grown in size and stature to become recognized internationally for the quality of its collections, world-class exhibitions, educational programming and its unmatched festivals. Dedicated to the advancement of American Indian art, the Heard successfully presents the stories of American Indian people from a first-person perspective, as well as exhibitions that showcase the beauty and vitality of traditional and contemporary art. heardmuseum.com
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Spring Arts & Culture Directory
HERBERGER THEATER The Herberger Theater is a 501(c)(3) Arizona non-profit organization which supports and fosters growth of the arts in Phoenix as the premier performance venue, arts incubator and advocate. Proceeds from annual fundraising benefit its Youth Outreach Programs, designed to give Arizona children (ages 3-19) opportunities to excel, learn and heal through experience with the arts. Over the last 28 years, 4.2 million patrons have enjoyed more than 15,000 performances at the Herberger Theater. For information, call 602.254.7399 or visit HerbergerTheater.org. herbergertheater.org
KIDS IN FOCUS When kids experience trauma, they disconnect from the world and from themselves. A camera in their hands, with the right guidance and encouragement, can switch the light in their eyes back on, giving them a new lens on life. Kids in Focus is a 501(c)(3) that gives at-risk kids the chance to see themselves and their world in a new, more positive light. Through intensive and ongoing mentoring programs, Kids in Focus inspires hope in children ages 10-13 who come from backgrounds of poverty, homelessness, neglect and abuse. The kids receive much more than a camera. Mentored by professional photographers, together they take a journey of discovery culminating in public photography exhibits, a hardbound book, and a new self-confidence for the future. kidsinfocus.org
MESA ARTS CENTER Mesa Arts Center, owned and operated by the City of Mesa, is the largest comprehensive arts center in the southwestern United States. Home to four theaters, 14 art studios, four annual community festivals, The Store, an artists’ cooperative gallery, a robust Engagement program, and Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum, the stunning architectural landmark anchors the arts and cultural district in downtown Mesa. MAC offers hundreds of performances and events each year. The Mesa Arts Center mission is to inspire people through engaging arts experiences that are diverse, accessible, and relevant. For more information, visit mesaartscenter.com. mesaartscenter.com
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Spring Arts & Culture Directory
MUSEUM OF NORTHERN ARIZONA Founded in 1928, the Museum of Northern Arizona inspires a sense of love and responsibility for the beauty and diversity of the Colorado Plateau. View exhibits relating to the museum’s four main disciplines: anthropology, biology, geology and fine art; attend annual Zuni, Hopi, Navajo and Latino Festivals of Arts & Culture that attract thousands of visitors from around the world; discover the Colorado Plateau on week-long outdoor adventures with museum researchers; take a Navajo weaving or Hopi pottery class; or purchase authentic Native American art and jewelry from the award-winning Museum Shop. Don’t miss the museum’s newest permanent exhibition, Tribal Peoples of the Colorado Plateau. musnaz.org
MUSICAL INSTRUMENT MUSEUM Rated Phoenix’s #1 attraction by TripAdvisor, MIM displays more than 6,500 musical instruments and objects and provides a one-of-a-kind experience for visitors of all ages. MIM’s five Geographic Galleries showcase music and cultures from every country in the world through multimedia that allows you to hear, see, and feel the creative spirit of people as they play their instruments. Visitors can also get a close-up look at instruments played by influential artists, such as Elvis Presley®, Johnny Cash, Taylor Swift, and Maroon 5 in MIM’s Artist Gallery and have fun making some music of their own in the Experience Gallery. mim.org
MUSICANOVA ORCHESTRA Known for performing unique and rare pieces from the classical repertoire, MusicaNova Orchestra is comprised of the best musicians from the Valley. Led by Music Director Warren Cohen, the 2017/18 Season opens with MidCentury Masters, with cinematic pieces from Twentieth Century English composers, evoking images of 40s, 50s and 60s spy films, the morning, midday and evening symphonies of Haydn in A Day with Papa Haydn; Johannes Sebastian Bach’s controversial and highly unusual Eastertide Oratorio, St. John Passion and Ports of Call, featuring orchestral compositions inspired by music from exotic locales around the world, from Bali and the Mediterranean to tribes of the New World. musicanovaaz.com
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Spring Arts & Culture Directory
THE NASH The Nash, located in the heart of Roosevelt Row in downtown Phoenix, has been named one of the top jazz clubs in the United States. Named for Phoenix native and world-renowned jazz drummer Lewis Nash, the venue showcases top local and national jazz artists each weekend. From Latin, mainstream, Big Band, fusion and alternative to Be-bop, The Nash brings the best of jazz to this intimate venue. Craft beer and wines available for purchase to enjoy while you relax and enjoy the best jazz in Phoenix. thenash.org
ONE STEP BEYOND, INC. The Art Studio at One Step Beyond, Inc. provides people who have intellectual disability the opportunity to discover their own distinctive voice through the practice and creation of art. This program is designed to foster the independent exploration of mediums in a material-rich environment and to open the door to communication with the outside community through exhibitions, galleries and the Internet. Their unique creations can and do inspire changes in attitudes and promote a better understanding of their distinct point of view, appreciation of their artistic talent, and acceptance into the world of art. osbi.org
PHOENIX CENTER FOR THE ARTS Phoenix Center for the Arts, also known as “The Center,” is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, providing the community with opportunities to participate in the visual and performing arts through quality programming, events, and education for youth and adults. In addition to offering more than 700 unique art classes throughout the year in two locations, The Center also boasts several amazing resident arts organizations including Phoenix Children’s Chorus, Radio Phoenix, Cultural Coalition, Rising Youth Theatre, SOUNDS Academy, Emancipation Arts, Aliento, Essential Theatre, Arizona Masters of Poetry, Daring Adventures, Restore Arts, and Voices of the Desert. phoenixcenterforthearts.org
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Spring Arts & Culture Directory
PHOENIX CHORALE The Grammy Award-winning Phoenix Chorale is regarded as one of the finest choral ensembles in North America. The 28-voice chorus has developed this reputation through live performances across the U.S. and in Canada, along with a series of recordings treasured by music lovers and played by radio stations around the world. Join us March 2-4 for the “Nordic Songs” concerts with guest conductor Joshua Habermann, as he leads the Chorale through a journey north inspired by Nordic folklore. The season ends with a musical bouquet with Grammy-winning guest conductor Peter Rutenberg in the “Sing of Spring,” April 27-29. phoenixchorale.org
PHOENIX THEATRE The largest producing regional theatre company in the state, Phoenix Theatre offers more programs and experiences than any other. With over 400 performances on multiple stages and thriving education and outreach programs, we inspire more than 100,000 citizens every year. Phoenix Theatre believes the arts are essential because they foster the hero within, create a greater understanding of cultural and political differences, and provide a forum in which the community, from all walks of life, can gather live and in-person. Theatre lives where we wish the whole world lived. By inspiring empathy and the ability to see things from another’s point of view, we encourage qualities that lead to visionary leadership and build communities in which we are proud to work and live. phoenixtheatre.com
PHOENIX YOUTH SYMPHONY The Phoenix Youth Symphony (PYS) has been expanding horizons through music and developing the next generation of artists and arts patrons since 1952. For the past 64 years, PYS has trained over 15,000 student musicians, awarded over $1 million in student music festival scholarships and performed at over 500 events. With six ensembles, annually serving 300+ students from all parts of the Valley, PYS continues carrying out our mission of providing high-quality musical training, equipping young musicians for future success, right now! We invite you to join us and see for yourself at one of our 2017/18 Season concerts. phoenixyouthsymhpony.org
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Spring Arts & Culture Directory
SCOTTSDALE ARTISTS’ SCHOOL ALUM
RETURNS TO EDUCATE Jamie Killin | WEB EDITOR
After a successful career in graphic design, Kansas City-based artist Tina Garrett was ready for something new. She was eager to pursue the career in fine art that she’d always dreamed of — but knew she had to consider her husband and two kids.
had always dreamed of doing but never really had the opportunity to do.”
“I had to make a decision about going back to school with kids that were 10 and 11 years old,” Garrett said. “It was really weird trying to figure out how to reinvent myself while I had responsibilities here. I looked into going to school for art in Kansas City and there just wasn’t anything that could teach you actual fine art.”
“I keep going back to the school. That’s because when you walk in, it’s warm, it’s inviting, it’s friendly,” she said. “They don’t treat any student any less than they treat every teacher that’s there. They all have the potential to be great artists and they’re all there doing the best they can at the journey that they’re on.”
Luckily, Garrett learned about Scottsdale Artists’ School and made the decision to travel to Arizona to pursue her fine-art aspirations. A nonprofit organization founded 35 years ago, the school now offers more than 200 different arts programs. The classes, which focus on fine art, and the impressive scholarship offerings immediately appealed to Garrett. “The Scottsdale Artists’ School was the only one that offered any kind of scholarship,” she said. “So here I was, making no money and taking a risk of trying to learn something that I
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Fortunately, it was a match, and Garrett was able to master her artistry while enjoying her time in Scottsdale.
While Garrett is now busy traveling the world to create and teach fine art, she continues to be involved with Scottsdale Artists’ School. She was recently featured in the school’s Beaux Arts Event and has even been asked to return as a guest instructor. “I was really shocked to discover how much I enjoyed teaching adults,” she said. “I love, love, love when they get something and when they do better than when they first got there. They feel happier and more confident in their own work. It’s fulfilling for me.”
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Figura No. 1 by Tina Garrett
Artist Tina Garrett credits much of her career success to Scottsdale Artists’ School.
Ginger and Johnnie by Tina Garrett
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Spring Arts & Culture Directory
PHOENIX ZOO The Arizona Center for Nature Conservation, through its flagship organization the Phoenix Zoo, has been a point of pride for Arizona for over 50 years. The organization strives to advance the stewardship and conservation of animals and their habitats while providing experiences that inspire people and motivate them to care for the natural world. The Phoenix Zoo is one of the largest non-profit zoos in the United States, caring for more than 3,000 animals, with nearly 400 species represented, including many threatened or endangered species. phoenixzoo.org
PROMUSICA ARIZONA ProMusica Arizona enriches lives in the greater Phoenix area with joint performances of its multigenerational chorale and orchestra. Founded by 17 singers in 2003, the group has grown to 100 singers and instrumentalists. Innovation and variety characterize their four-concert season, which includes musical genres ranging from classical to contemporary, Broadway favorites, and creative collaborations. ProMusica Arizona singers concluded the 2016-17 season with a performance at Carnegie Hall in New York City. The organization’s commitment to participatory music is built on an inclusive policy of attracting musicians in every age group and providing a challenging but supportive environment to develop talent. pmaz.org
ROSIE’S HOUSE Rosie’s House: A Music Academy for Children is committed to playing a pivotal role in a child’s future and strengthening our local community. At Rosie’s House, a free afterschool program for children facing economic adversity in Phoenix, we bridge achievement in life through achievement in music. Serving 450 youth annually, Rosie’s House provides training in strings, piano, winds, mariachi and choir. Serving our community for over 20 years, Rosie’s House is certified for the Arizona Charitable Tax Credit. Get involved today, and make a difference tomorrow. rosieshouse.org
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Spring Arts & Culture Directory Painting by Kim English
Providing art classes for aspiring artists, seasoned professionals and those just beginning their creative journey.
Scottsdale Artists’ School is considered a leader in visual art training for all levels – from absolute beginner to professional artist. For 35 years, Scottsdale Artists’ School has taught the applied fundamentals of fine art by offering more than 270 workshops, classes and artist demonstrations led by local and visiting artists each year. Scottsdale Artists’ School is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
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Spring Arts & Culture Directory
SCOTTSDALE ARTISTS’ SCHOOL Scottsdale Artists’ School, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, is dedicated to the artistic enrichment of the community and to developing the capabilities of artists and aspiring artists of all ages by teaching the applied fundamentals of fine art. SAS founded in 1983, is located in the historic Loloma school building, in the heart of the Scottsdale Arts’ District. As a multifaceted visual arts organization, we feature over 200 diverse art programs along with an innovative youth academy, arts-outreach programming, community availability, and scholarship offerings. We believe in the importance of the arts on society and continuing the tradition of fine art education. scottsdaleartschool.org
SCOTTSDALE ARTS Through its partnership with the City of Scottsdale, the nonprofit Scottsdale Arts creates diverse, inspired arts experiences and educational opportunities that foster active, lifelong community engagement with the arts. Founded in 1987, Scottsdale Arts has grown into a regionally and nationally significant, multidisciplinary arts organization offering an exceptional variety of programs through three acclaimed divisions – Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA) and Scottsdale Public Art – serving more than 400,000 participants annually. scottsdalearts.org
SCOTTSDALE GALLERY ASSOCIATION A visit to the Scottsdale Arts District is one of the best fine art experiences anyone can have. For over 40 years, galleries have exhibited a diverse selection of paintings, sculpture and jewelry by world-class artists. Along with the City of Scottsdale, the Scottsdale Gallery Association is proud to sponsor another year of the famed Thursday Night ArtWalk. Please check www.scottsdalegalleries.com for the season,s schedule. All are invited! scottsdalegalleries.com
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Spring Arts & Culture Directory
SCOTTSDALE PHILHARMONIC The Scottsdale Philharmonic was founded in 2012 with the mission of bringing classical music to people of all ages in the community — free. The nonprofit has more than 120 volunteers which includes 75 professional musicians, dedicated board members and enthusiastic volunteers who share their time and talent for each of the performances. The organization is funded by donations from patrons, grants and sponsors. The Philharmonic was nominated for the Governor’s Arts Awards for the past three years for its contributions to the community. scottsdalephilharmonic.com
SHEMER ART CENTER Located in the very first home built in Arcadia, the Shemer Art Center provides a unique setting in which residents and visitors can learn about and enjoy visual art through daily classes, weekend workshops, monthly lectures, exhibitions and events. After-school art classes and summer camp programs for children are also offered, and an on-site gift shop and outdoor sculpture garden offer one-of-a-kind works of art for sale, all of which foster the Shemer Art Center’s mission to support and showcase Arizona artists. shemerartcenter.org
THEATER WORKS Theater Works is a non-profit theater that provides the most comprehensive programming of any performing arts organization in the West Valley. Now entering its 32nd season, Theater Works serves students from preschool through college age by producing full season,s of theater (MasterWorks), youth theater (YouthWorks), puppet theater (PuppetWorks), educational camps, workshops, and youth performance troupes (Stardust, Kids Alive!, and YouthWorks Academy). As the managing tenant of the Peoria Center for the Performing Arts, Theater Works also offers a diverse range of programming from nationally-known musicians and comedians, through regionally significant culturally-specific theater and dance troupes, to locally-based community events. theaterworks.org
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Spring Arts & Culture Directory
VALLEY YOUTH THEATRE Valley Youth Theatre (VYT) is in its 29th Season of inspiring young people to be the best they can be! VYT is an award-winning professional youth theatre company. Alum extend from Hollywood to Broadway, into boardrooms across America and many more influential places. VYT is a unique place where young people from diverse backgrounds can learn and grow as individuals, performers and creators through a wide variety of performing arts opportunities. Camps and classes taught by professional arts instructors are offered throughout the year. VYT produces six MainStage productions each season, two of which are at the Herberger Theater Center. All youth are always welcome to audition, regardless of experience.
VYT.com
VISION GALLERY The Vision Gallery is a fine arts gallery representing more than 300 regional artists and home to one of two Art-O-Mats in Chandler. Visitors can discover a varied palette of original artworks from oil and acrylic canvasses to ceramic works, sculpture, jewelry, and more. Exhibits are rotated on a regular basis and are free for the public to view at this nonprofit gallery supported by the Chandler Cultural Foundation. In 2017, Vision Gallery was named one of the 10 best Best Art Galleries in Arizona by Best of Arizona. visiongallery.org
WESTERN SPIRIT: SCOTTSDALE’S MUSEUM OF THE WEST Learn the stories of the West through engaging exhibits of Western art, Old West artifacts and historic Native American objects in a stunning, contemporary setting that meets the highest standards for sustainability and conservation of natural resources. The museum became a Smithsonian Affiliate in 2015, and was named “Best Western Museum” in the nation (2017, 2016) by True West magazine’s editors. This TripAdvisor highly rated attraction is owned by the City of Scottsdale. Scottsdale Museum of the West, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that relies upon private support to fund the museum’s operation, is the managing operator. Located in downtown Scottsdale. scottsdalemuseumwest.org
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The Company of Arizona Theatre Company’s Man of La Mancha. Photo by Tim Fuller.
Acting Up
ARIZONA THEATRE COMPANY LAUNCHES 51ST SEASON WITH NEW VISION AND DYNAMIC LEADERSHIP TEAM
Artistic director David Ivers (left) and managing director Billy Russo (right).
Philip Hernandez and Carlos Lopez in Arizona Theatre Company’s Man of La Mancha. Photo by Tim Fuller.
Spring Arts & Culture Directory
By Lynette Carrington | CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Arizona Theatre Company has launched a new era for the organization as the final production of Arizona Theatre Company’s Man of La Mancha recently wrapped, providing an opportunity to introduce theater-going fans to the new leadership team. The reinterpreted classic met with critical and fan praise, and then immediately following the final curtain of the production, the first of a series of gatherings called the Salon Series took place. The event included the new Arizona Theatre Company leadership team, theater patrons and several actors from Man of La Mancha. Those attending at the home of Mary and Geoff Hamway heard about the company’s new direction and the 2018-2019 season announcement. The new leadership team, which recently celebrated its first six months, has high aspirations for Arizona’s only professional theater company with the Arizona League of Resident Theatres (LORT) designation. Artistic director David Ivers and managing director Billy Russo have created a dynamic partnership in spearheading the direction of the theater company, and they offered a glimpse into the future at the gathering. While addressing the Salon Series crowd, Russo said, “We wanted to let you know our commitment to being part of this community.” Russo joined Arizona Theatre Company two years ago as it searched for its new artistic director, and said he appreciated the vision and energy that Ivers brought to the table. One thing Russo and Ivers agreed on right away was that Arizona Theatre Company should no longer be called “ATC,” but referred to by its full name. They wanted to keep the “Arizona” in Arizona Theatre Company.
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“The company is starting to take shape in the vision to help serve what we hope is the next several decades with excellence,” Ivers said. “The key to virtuosity is clarity of vision, how we serve community, and funding the vision of the art so that it is the most essential and immediate to the community.” In shaping the coming years, Arizona Theatre Company will rely on the vision of Russo and Ivers as well as the guidance of the Arizona Theatre Company board of trustees and board officers. “This is not your mother’s Arizona Theatre Company,” said Mary Hamway, the vice chair of Arizona Theatre Company’s board. “The energy is different. The vibe is different. We’re really going to push the Phoenix market. If Phoenix wants Broadway-quality theater, then Arizona Theatre Company is the place to come.” Arizona Theatre Company board of trustee member Pam Hait has a 50-year history with the organization. “I think we’ve been very blessed with a stability of artistic directors and that’s part of why the quality of this theater is so extraordinary,” she said. During the Salon Series event, attendees had the chance to chat with Man of La Mancha actors and with Russo and Ivers while learning about the upcoming season. “The branding for next season on our brochure will be called ‘The Scene in America,’” Ivers said. “It’s about the American experience at the center of the season as a theme, with family at the center of that. I will never give up on my kids seeing what we actually look like and how we’re represented in the world.”
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GENERAL INFORMATION & PRESS RELEASES info@frontdoorsmedia.com 3104 E. Camelback Road #967 | Phoenix, AZ 85016 480-622-4522 |
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