Welcome to Arizona Theatre Matters:
Where Accessible
Stories Come Alive!

Make a Tax Deductible Donation Now!

Hello! I’m over the moon to share this space with you and ATM’s 2024 company. This season is a realization of decades of struggle to make theatre that defies traditional descriptions. I’m fortunate to be joined by some of the most talented artists I’ve ever known, and some I worked with for the first time. You’ll see in their bios a lot of my Arizona compatriots, a bunch of Nevadans, and others from Canada, all over the US and beyond. My own artistic journey started on stages in Toronto in 1972, during the height of the Alternative Theatre Movement. It was a fantastic time to be there – my Grade 7 class went on a field trip to the Bayview Playhouse to see Gilda Radner, Martin Short, Eugene Levy, et al in the legendary production of Godspell. The style of it astonished me, and I never looked back. I wanted to make theatre that shattered stereotypes and disintegrated divisions. I was based in northern Nevada for 30 years where I co-founded and ran the Nevada Shakespeare Company and, in 2009, made it full circle back to the land of my birth, Arizona. Along the way, my passion for connection and a belief in theatre’s ability to transcend barriers led me to travel the world with three original productions. Founded in 2012 as Universal Access Productions, Arizona Theatre Matters carries the mission I hold dear: making powerful theatre accessible to everyone, everywhere. That’s why we proudly present audio theatre productions featuring BIPOC Deaf sign language artists on camera, enriching every story with principles of universal design. 

This season, we offer a rambunctious lineup: Four of my original plays, exploring themes of education reform, the shameful history of the treatment of the Indigenous peoples of what we call America, the complex humanity of Jewish identity and experience and, to really mix it up –  Hamlet in Purgatory along with Shakespeare’s timeless masterpiece, The Tempest, reminding us of the power of forgiveness and empathy. 

All of our productions are royalty-free and available at no cost in 194 countries on YouTube, with sign language, rich soundscapes and closed captions in over 300 languages. Audio descriptions paint vivid pictures, ensuring every detail reaches visually impaired audiences. 

We are passionate storytellers, driven by the belief that theatre can connect us all. Join us on this journey, explore our productions, and let’s spark conversations that matter. 

Here’s what you can do: 

Experience our shows! Immerse yourself in powerful stories on our YouTube channel. 

Connect with us! Share your thoughts, ask questions, and join the conversation on social media. 

Support our work! Your contributions help us keep theatre accessible for everyone. Together, let’s make theatre matter for all. 

Warmly, Jeanmarie