activities · 12
what they do
direct service · 9
- Digital theater distribution and accessibility Accessible & Inclusive Theater ProductionsOperates a digital platform via a YouTube channel launched in 2020, offering captioned, Artistic Sign Language-integrated, and audio-described performances to a global audience. The platform has over 118,000 subscribers, more than 1.3 million views, and reaches viewers in 194 countries, with content available in over 300 captioned languages.
- Glendale International Fringe Festival (GIFF)Organizes and hosts the Glendale International Fringe Festival, a 16-day curated performance festival featuring 50 performances from around the world. All events are offered free of charge and unticketed, with options for in-person attendance, livestreaming, and accessible Video On Demand access.
- Hands in Harmony performance ensemble Accessible & Inclusive Theater ProductionsOperates Hands in Harmony, a resident sign language performance ensemble composed of native Natural Sign Language speakers, which integrates signing into the creative storytelling process. In 2024, introduced a BIPOC Deaf sign language team featured in all mainstage content.
- Operating Hands in Harmony Sign Language Ensemble Accessible & Inclusive Theater ProductionsArizona Theatre Matters operates Hands in Harmony, a resident sign language performance ensemble composed of native speakers of Natural Sign Language, which integrates signing into the creative process for storytelling within their theatrical productions.
- Operating Hands in Harmony Sign Language Ensemble Accessible & Inclusive Theater ProductionsArizona Theatre Matters operates Hands in Harmony, a resident sign language performance ensemble composed of native speakers of Natural Sign Language. This ensemble integrates signing directly into the creative process for storytelling, enhancing accessibility and artistic expression within their productions.
- Organizing the Glendale International Fringe Festival (GIFF)Arizona Theatre Matters organizes the Glendale International Fringe Festival (GIFF), a 16-day curated performance festival that hosts 50 performances from around the world. All performances are offered free of charge to the public, both in-person and livestreamed, with accessible Video On Demand options.
- Producing Accessible Theatrical Performances Accessible & Inclusive Theater ProductionsArizona Theatre Matters creates and presents engaging, thought-provoking theatrical experiences, including full-scale productions, solo works, satire, opera, and historical narratives. These performances integrate storytelling, history, and sound, and are made universally accessible through features like captioning, Artistic Sign Language integration, and audio descriptions, reaching global audiences via a YouTube channel with over 118,000 subscribers and 1.3 million views across 194 countries.
- Producing Accessible Theatrical Performances Accessible & Inclusive Theater ProductionsArizona Theatre Matters creates and presents engaging, thought-provoking theatrical experiences, including full-scale productions, solo works, satire, opera, and historical narratives. These performances integrate storytelling, history, and sound, and are made universally accessible through features like captioning, Artistic Sign Language integration, and audio descriptions, reaching audiences globally via a YouTube channel with over 118,000 subscribers and 1.3 million views across 194 countries.
- Production of theatrical performances Professional Theatrical Productions of Plays and MusicalsCreates and presents full-scale theatrical productions, including adaptations of Shakespeare, original works, historical narratives, solo performances, opera, and satire, both in-person and through digital formats. The organization has produced at least 45 full-scale productions, including titles such as "The Ferryman's Toll" (2025), "The Tempest" (2024), "Even Unto Death," and "Mackers."
capacity building · 3
- Developing Educational Resources for Theatrical Productions Youth & Adult Theater Education ProgramsThe organization produces and publishes educational and discussion guides, including study guides and digital engagement toolkits, to support classroom discussion, community engagement, and audience reflection around its theatrical productions. These resources are expanded and made available online.
- Developing Educational Resources for Theatrical Productions Youth & Adult Theater Education ProgramsThe organization produces study guides and digital engagement toolkits to support classroom discussion, community engagement, and audience reflection around its theatrical productions. These resources are expanded and published online to provide contextual materials and enhance the educational value of their performances.
- Development of educational and community engagement resources Youth & Adult Theater Education ProgramsProduces and publishes study guides, digital engagement toolkits, and discussion materials to support classroom instruction, audience reflection, and community engagement around theatrical productions. These resources are expanded and shared online for broad access.
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.
- Accessibility as Creative and Artistic Foundation access as creative engineThe organization embeds accessibility into the core of its artistic process, treating it not as an add-on but as a generative force that shapes performance, design, and storytelling. This approach ensures that access—through sign language, audio description, multilingual captioning, and inclusive sound—is integral to the art itself and co-created with artists with disabilities.
- Advocacy and Field Building for Equity in the Arts advocacy and thought leadershipArizona Theatre Matters advances systemic change by conducting research, organizing conferences, and engaging in policy advocacy to promote DEI in the arts. It also builds international collaborations and exchange programs to amplify impact and position accessibility and inclusion as central to the future of theatre.
- Advocacy and Thought Leadership for DEI in Arts advocacy_and_thought_leadershipArizona Theatre Matters engages in advocacy and thought leadership by conducting research, organizing conferences, and participating in policy advocacy. This strategy aims to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within the arts sector, influencing broader systemic change.
- Centering Marginalized Voices and Diverse Storytelling centering_marginalized_voicesThe organization actively centers marginalized voices in its storytelling and theatrical productions, showcasing a wide range of perspectives to foster understanding and connection. This approach aims to make the arts an authentically inclusive experience and uses theatre as a platform for social change, ensuring all individuals feel seen, heard, and valued.
- Centering Marginalized Voices and Lived Experience centering_marginalized_voicesThe organization centers marginalized voices and lived experiences in storytelling and theatrical engagement, using theatre as a platform for social change. This approach ensures that diverse perspectives are showcased, fostering understanding and connection, and making the arts an authentically inclusive experience where all individuals feel seen, heard, and valued.
- Centering Marginalized and Lived Experiences in Storytelling nothing about us without usArizona Theatre Matters intentionally centers voices from marginalized communities—including Deaf, Blind, disabled, BIPOC, and culturally diverse artists—ensuring that narratives emerge from lived experience. This strategy is operationalized through casting, collaboration, and creative control, guided by the principle of "nothing about us without us."
- Disability Justice and Peer Leadership Model disability_justice_and_peer_leadershipArizona Theatre Matters operates on a model rooted in disability justice and peer leadership, advocating for universal access to culture without barriers. This approach informs their inclusive artistic practices and collaborations.
- Educational Outreach through Digital Toolkits educational_outreach_through_digital_toolkitsThe organization extends its educational reach by distributing digital toolkits. These toolkits connect audiences, educators, and community groups with comprehensive educational and contextual resources related to theatrical productions, thereby broadening engagement and understanding beyond live performances.
- Educational Outreach through Digital Toolkits and Accessible Methods educational_outreach_through_digital_toolkitsThe organization connects audiences, educators, and community groups with educational and contextual resources for theatrical productions through accessible and engaging methods, including digital toolkits. This strategy aims to broaden understanding of theatre, sound, history, and storytelling.
- Memory and Domestic Labor as Resistance and Dignity memory_as_resistanceArizona Theatre Matters uses theatre to frame memory and storytelling as acts of moral resistance against institutional power and false narratives. Additionally, it centers domestic labor and everyday actions as sacred and meaningful within narrative and performance to highlight dignity and endurance, thereby challenging conventional power structures and celebrating overlooked aspects of human experience.
- Memory and Storytelling as Moral Resistance memory_as_resistanceArizona Theatre Matters uses theatre to frame memory and storytelling as acts of moral resistance against institutional power and false narratives. This strategy aims to challenge dominant perspectives and highlight the dignity and endurance found in everyday actions and domestic labor.
- Multi-Modal and Digital Educational Outreach educational outreach through digital toolkitsThe organization expands access to theatre beyond performance by creating digital toolkits and educational resources that integrate sound, history, and storytelling. These tools are designed to be accessible and engaging for educators, community groups, and diverse audiences, supporting broader civic and educational engagement with the arts.
- Universal Accessibility as a Creative Engine universal_accessibilityArizona Theatre Matters builds universally accessible theatre by integrating accessibility as a core artistic practice and creative engine from the outset, rather than an add-on. This approach ensures that storytelling reaches everyone, regardless of ability, income, or location, and redefines artistic excellence through inclusive design and collaboration with artists with disabilities.
- Universal Accessibility as a Creative Foundation universal_accessibilityArizona Theatre Matters integrates universal accessibility into the core of its artistic practice, viewing it not as an add-on but as a creative engine and foundational element for all productions and initiatives. This approach ensures that storytelling reaches everyone, regardless of ability, income, or location, and involves collaborating with artists with disabilities and incorporating features like sign language, audio description, and multilingual interpretation from the outset.
named programs · 7
what they call their work
Blind Filmmakers Fellowship
Fellowship program in even years offering specialized training, assistive technology, and mentorship for Blind filmmakers
Deaf Film Editors Fellowship
Fellowship program in odd years providing training and mentorship for Deaf film editors, with tailored curriculum and industry connections
Educational Outreach and Curriculum Development
Develops educational resources and partnerships with schools to promote inclusive theater and social justice learning
International Playwriting Competition
Annual competition to discover and nurture global playwright talent, emphasizing inclusive and innovative storytelling
Playwright Development Program
Supports emerging playwrights from diverse backgrounds through mentorship, workshops, and commissions focused on social justice themes
Stage-to-Film Productions
Creates accessible digital theater content distributed via YouTube, featuring integrated BIPOC Deaf sign language interpretation and multilingual access
Virtual Theater Platform
Online streaming platform for live and recorded performances, expanding global access to ATM’s productions
relationships · 18
who they work with
- Albion Sound Partner — Kevin Tye, Production Manager and Audio Engineer for Arizona Theatre Matters, is the owner and operator of Albion Sound.
- American Council of the Blind Partner — John McCann, ATM’s Audio Supervisor, is active in the American Council of the Blind.
- Arizona Commission on the Arts Funder — Receives grants from this organization.
- Arizona Governor’s Council on Blindness and Visual Impairment Partner — John McCann, ATM’s Audio Supervisor, serves on the Arizona Governor’s Council on Blindness and Visual Impairment.
- CripFest Partner — Shares values and creative DNA with this access-forward festival.
- DisArt Festival Partner — Shares values and creative DNA with this access-forward festival.
- Disability Futures at Under the Radar Partner — Shares values and creative DNA with this access-forward festival.
- Even Unto Death Partner — Produced the play "Even Unto Death" by Jeanmarie Simpson as part of its theatrical programming.
- Fringe Italia Partner — Listed as a partner.
- Governor Katie Hobbs Government — Recognized the organization for its contributions to arts accessibility and diverse storytelling.
- Hands In Harmony Partner — Ololade Adekanmi, ATM’s Video producer/director, is the founder of Hands In Harmony.
- Hands in Harmony Partner — Resident sign language performance ensemble that joined ATM in 2024 and integrates signing into the creative process.
- Re•Verb Festival Partner — Shares values and creative DNA with this access-forward festival.
- The City of Glendale AZ Funder — Receives grants from this organization.
- The National Endowment for the Arts Funder — Receives grants from this organization.
- Voces Radiantes/Radiant Voices Partner — Diana Kimetto, founder of Voces Radiantes/Radiant Voices, is the founder of ATM’s Blind voice acting ensemble.
- WILPF Partner — Jeanmarie Simpson and Diana Kimetto connected at a WILPF Congress over their shared commitment to accessibility in theatre.
- World Fringe Partner — Listed as a partner.