Arizona Theatre Matters Education

Workshops & Residencies

Creative encounters with theatre, language, movement, story, ensemble, and possibility.

Bringing the transformative power of theatre to communities through accessible and creative workshops. Our offerings can be adapted to the people, setting, experience, and interests of each participating group. Workshops can stand alone or become the foundation of a longer residency shaped with a participating community or institution.

Host a Workshop

6-Week Workshop

Such Stuff As Dreams Are Made On

Discover the power of your own voice and transform your memories, dreams, and experiences into a unique theatrical performance. Through guided exercises, writing, movement, and collaboration, participants explore creativity, connect with others, and share their stories on stage.

Duration: 6 weeks

Final Presentation: A celebratory showcase featuring participants’ unique performances.

Key Goals

  • Embrace the transformative power of voice and language.
  • Unearth personal memories and experiences, turning them into vibrant art.
  • Build a collaborative ensemble while developing theatre techniques and skills.

Explore the full workshop

1-Day Workshop

Reader’s Theatre

Participants explore the power of storytelling through the simplicity of Reader’s Theatre, bringing texts to life through vocal expression and minimal physical movement.

Duration: 1 day

Final Presentation: A group reading of scenes or short plays.

Key Goals

  • Develop vocal expression and clarity.
  • Explore narrative and character through reading rather than memorization.
  • Foster group dynamics and ensemble work.

1-Week Workshop

Improvisation

This dynamic workshop encourages spontaneity and creativity. Participants learn the fundamentals of improvisation, including “yes, and,” character development, communication, and scene creation.

Duration: 1 week

Final Presentation: An improv showcase featuring scenes created on the spot.

Key Goals

  • Develop quick thinking and creativity.
  • Strengthen communication skills and ensemble building.
  • Build confidence creating scenes without a script.

2-Week Workshop

Shakespeare

Participants encounter Shakespeare through scene work, character analysis, language, and performance techniques, making the plays their own through active exploration rather than distant study.

Duration: 2 weeks

Final Presentation: A performance of selected scenes from Shakespeare’s plays.

Key Goals

  • Build an understanding of Shakespeare’s language and themes.
  • Develop characters through analysis and performance techniques.
  • Explore vocal and physical approaches to Shakespearean performance.

3-Week Workshop

Theatre Without Words

This workshop explores non-verbal storytelling through movement, gesture, physical expression, emotion, and character, emphasizing expressive techniques that participants can discover and develop.

Duration: 3 weeks

Final Presentation: A movement-based performance showcasing participants’ non-verbal storytelling.

Key Goals

  • Develop non-verbal communication through movement and body language.
  • Build ensemble through physical storytelling.
  • Explore the relationship between body and emotion in performance.

6-Week Workshop

Immersive Theatre

Participants create and perform within an environment where the audience becomes part of the experience, developing worlds, characters, interactions, and performances that remain fluid and responsive.

Duration: 6 weeks

Final Presentation: An immersive theatre experience in which the audience becomes part of the story.

Key Goals

  • Explore immersive theatre and its relationship with audiences.
  • Develop character and world-building techniques for interactive performance.
  • Collaborate in creating an original immersive theatre experience.

Bring a workshop to your community.

Programs can be shaped around a group, institution, residency, community, or particular artistic inquiry.

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