Actors Theatre Selects A STEADY RAIN and GOOD PEOPLE for 2013-14 Season

Actors Theatre is moving closer to announcing a four-play season for 2013-14 at different venues in and around Central Phoenix. Two plays have been selected - A Steady Rain and Good People - and conversations are underway to finalize performance dates and locations.

In February, Actors Theatre announced it was "taking a pause" to redesign its business model and consider future plans that included leaving the Herberger Theater Center as a resident company after more than 20 years.

"We said at the time that while we would look for new ways to create, diversify and leverage revenue streams previously unavailable to us, we would stay true to our mission to present challenging, entertaining and thought-provoking work," said Producing Artistic Director Matthew Wiener. "That has not changed at all."

Wiener said that he is targeting A Steady Rain in mid-October at a venue to be announced in the next several months and Good People in April 2014 at a second venue. Both shows were part of the 2012-13 schedule that were cancelled with the February announcement.

The second and fourth shows are still being determined but target dates are in January and June. Tickets will go on sale once all details are in place.

Wiener said that he and Managing Director Erica Black are in discussions with management at The Playhouse in the Park at Viad Tower, Black Theatre Troupe, Arizona Opera and Phoenix Theatre to use its new "black box" theater when it opens. Black Theatre Troupe and Arizona Opera each have new venues.

"Yes, we remain homeless, but we also remain very excited about the future of Actors Theatre," Black said. "Among our goals for the venues we choose is creating a theatre space favoring intimacy over spectacle."

On April 7, more than 200 people participated in Actors Theatre's annual fund-raising dining event, Gourmetheatre, raising $70,000. Theresa Dwyer-Federhar of Fennemore Craig chaired the event.

"We're looking forward and we like what see, even if it is a B-HAG - a Big Hairy Audacious Goal," Wiener said. "But it is achievable and we can't wait to get started again."

Actors Theatre presents passionate, thought-provoking theatre designed to add to the social dialogue of the community. Our mission is to create contemporary professional theatre that amplifies the cultural conversation of our communities with powerful and innovative programming. The ideas and themes embedded in the work we produce are the framework for civic dialogue within our community. We have built a reputation as the company that takes the most risks and consistently delivers thought-provoking theatre. Actors Theatre has been named Producing Theatre Company of the Year by the Arizona Theatre Alliance and Arts Organization of the Year by the Arts and Business Council of Greater Phoenix.

To support Actors Theatre with a donation or for more information, visit www.actorstheatrephx.org.

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