activities · 12
what they do
direct service · 12
- Educational programs and student engagement Youth & Adult Theater Education ProgramsOffers student matinees with discounted tickets, immersive classroom workshops, and educational residencies that complement mainstage productions. Programs are tailored to school groups and aim to deepen engagement with classical literature and performance.
- Educational theater tours for schools Youth & Adult Theater Education ProgramsConducts educational theater tours, visiting schools across Arizona with productions of Shakespeare's plays, such as a vaudeville-inspired "Comedy of Errors," performing 65-80 minute cuts of the plays for students.
- Educational workshops and seminars Youth & Adult Theater Education ProgramsOffers immersive student workshops tailored for classrooms or schools, provides Flachmann seminars, and operates "Stories & Stages," a year-long program exploring plays and literature, which includes reading lists, book displays, and ticket giveaways.
- Educational workshops and student matinees Youth & Adult Theater Education ProgramsOffers immersive student workshops tailored to classrooms and schools, along with discounted student matinees, to complement mainstage productions and enhance arts education access for K–12 students.
- Flachmann Seminars and play readings Youth & Adult Theater Education ProgramsHosts the Flachmann Seminars, a series of educational events focused on classical theater, led by the organization since 2013, and provides opportunities for new play readings and seminar attendance as part of its programming.
- Flachmann Seminars and play readings Youth & Adult Theater Education ProgramsHosts the Flachmann Seminars, a series of educational events focused on classical theatre, led by the organization since 2013. Also provides access to seminar tickets and organizes new play readings as part of its programming.
- Literature and performance engagement programs Youth & Adult Theater Education ProgramsOperates "Stories & Stages: A Celebration of Reading and Performing Great Works of Literature," a year-long program that includes reading lists, book displays, ticket giveaways, and integrated literary and theatrical activities to promote engagement with great works.
- Literature and theater engagement programs Youth & Adult Theater Education ProgramsOperates "Stories & Stages: A Celebration of Reading and Performing Great Works of Literature," a year-long program that includes reading lists, book displays, and ticket giveaways to encourage engagement with literature and live theater.
- Mainstage theatrical productions Professional Theatrical Productions of Plays and MusicalsPresents professional productions of classical plays, including works by Shakespeare and other playwrights such as Molière and Peter Shaffer, at established theaters across Arizona on scheduled runs. Recent and upcoming productions include "Measure for Measure," "Amadeus," "Richard III," "Tartuffe," and "Julius Caesar."
- Presenting theatrical performancesProduces and presents live theatrical performances of classical plays, including works by Shakespeare and other playwrights, for public audiences. Examples include "Measure for Measure," "Amadeus," "Richard III," "Tartuffe," "Julius Caesar," "Whispers in the Dark," and "Comedy of Errors."
- School and community touring productionsDelivers abridged, engaging performances of Shakespeare’s plays—such as a vaudeville-inspired "Comedy of Errors"—to schools across Arizona through a touring troupe. Performances are 65–80 minutes long and part of an educational outreach initiative during the 2026–27 season.
- Student matinee programs Arts Ticket Access ProgramsProvides discounted tickets for student matinees to school groups, complementing mainstage productions.
strategies · 14
how they think
Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any to see the full field of orgs running the same approach.
- Experiential learning for Shakespearean education experiential_learningThe organization uses interactive and engaging "on-your-feet" explorations of Shakespeare's language and theatrical practices to provide memorable experiences that ignite students' love for Shakespeare and help them understand the evolution of language.
- Experiential learning for engagement with Shakespeare experiential_learningThe organization uses engaging, hands-on explorations of Shakespeare's language and theatrical practices to create memorable experiences that ignite students' love for Shakespeare and help them understand the evolution of language.
- Experiential learning for student engagement with Shakespeare experiential learningEngages students through active, embodied exploration of Shakespeare’s language and theater practices to foster deep understanding, personal connection, and lasting appreciation of classical works.
- Exploring language and human experience through performance language_exploration_through_performanceThe organization uses vibrant and passionate performances of classical theatre to explore the impact of language and provide insights into various human experiences and literature.
- Innovative, cross-cultural reimagining of classical drama innovative reimagining of classical dramaReimagines Shakespeare and classical works by fusing them with diverse cultural and cinematic influences (e.g., Kurosawa, Tarantino) to explore enduring themes like political intrigue, betrayal, and tragedy in fresh, compelling ways.
- Language exploration through passionate performance language exploration through performanceUses vibrant and emotionally charged performances to illuminate the power and evolution of language in classical theatre, helping audiences and students connect with Shakespeare’s linguistic artistry.
- Reimagining classical works for modern audiences reimagining_classical_worksThe organization reinterprets classical theatre, particularly Shakespeare, using contemporary artistic styles and thematic explorations to make the works relevant and engaging for modern audiences. This includes incorporating elements like slapstick humor, vaudeville, and cinematic homages to highlight enduring themes and provide fresh perspectives.
- Reimagining classical works for modern audiences classical_reinterpretationThe organization reinterprets classical theatre, particularly Shakespeare, through innovative and contemporary lenses, such as slapstick humor, vaudeville, or cinematic homages, to make the works accessible and relevant to modern audiences while exploring enduring themes.
- Slapstick and high-energy reinterpretation for modern audiences slapstick reinterpretationReinterprets Shakespearean comedy through slapstick humor and high-energy performance to make classical works accessible and relatable, emphasizing universal themes like family and belonging.
- Subscription-based audience engagement subscription-based engagementUses a subscription model (Bard Card) to increase audience access and loyalty by offering complimentary admission, fostering sustained community involvement with classical theatre.
- Subscription-based audience engagement subscription_based_engagementThe organization offers complimentary admission to subscribers as a method to foster audience loyalty and engagement through a subscription model.
- Thematic exploration of power and human psychology through classical theater thematic exploration through classical theaterSelects and stages plays that investigate deep psychological and societal themes—such as ego, ambition, deception, and the corrupting hunger for power—to provoke reflection on their destabilizing effects across personal and political realms.
- Thematic exploration through classical theatre thematic_explorationThe organization programs and performs classical theatre works to explore universal human themes such as the impact of language, the dangerous intersection of ego, ambition, deception, and the human hunger for power, providing insights into the human condition.
- Vaudeville-inspired educational theater for schools vaudeville-inspired educational theaterAdapts Shakespeare into vaudeville-style productions to engage students through familiar, energetic performance styles, enhancing educational outreach and accessibility in school settings.
named programs · 3
what they call their work
Flachmann Seminars
Educational seminars led by scholars focusing on classical literature and theatre practices.
Student Matinees
Offers discounted tickets for school groups to experience live theatre performances.
Touring Productions
Brings a condensed version of Shakespeare's plays directly to schools across Arizona.
relationships · 14
who they work with
- Arizona Commission on the Arts Partner — Listed as a partner.
- Arts Midwest Partner — Partners with the National Endowment for the Arts on the Shakespeare in American Communities program.
- City of Mesa Partner — Listed as a partner.
- Mesa Arts Center Partner — Co-presents performances of "Comedy of Errors" at the Piper Theatre.
- Mesa Arts Center Partner — Hosted the "Whispers in the Dark" performance at the Nesbitt/Elliott Playhouse.
- Mesa Arts Center Partner — Hosted the production of "Amadeus" at the Farnsworth Studio Theatre.
- Mesa Arts Center Partner — Serves as the home venue for performances.
- Mesa Arts Center Partner — Venue for the "Tartuffe" performance.
- Mesa Arts Center Partner — Venue for the Julius Caesar production
- Mesa Public Library Partner — Partners on the "Stories & Stages" program.
- National Endowment for the Arts Funder — Shakespeare in American Communities is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts.
- Shakespeare Theatre Association Partner — Listed as a partner.
- Theatre Artists Studio Partner — Hosted performances of Measure for Measure
- Theatre League of America Partner — Listed as a partner.