Three Arts Organizations Added to Herberger Theater’s Network of Resident Companies

The Herberger Theater Center announced at a press conference on November 13 that Arizona Opera, Childsplay Theatre and Arizona Broadway Theatre will be added to the theater’s resident companies beginning with the 2018-1019 season.
“We are excited and proud to welcome these wonderful organizations to join the amazing resident companies who call the Herberger Theater Center home,” said president and CEO of the Herberger Theater Center Mark Mettes. “Each of these new companies have a long history of quality productions for audiences throughout the valley and I can’t wait to see their performances on our stages. Together, the diverse offerings of the resident companies of the Herberger Theater Center will entertain and inspire audiences of all ages, providing more reasons than ever to live, work and play in downtown Phoenix.”
As a result of the partnership, Arizona Opera plans to enhance its organization with a new season model, featuring a new fall series entitled Arizona Opera RED, which will be presented in the Herberger Theater Center in Phoenix and the Temple of Music and Art in Tucson.
“With this program expansion, we are increasing our commitment to presenting an adventurous, gutsy, and compelling repertoire of diverse works to inspire new audiences, while continuing to meaningfully invest in the cherished traditional operas known and loved by so many,” said president and general director of Arizona Opera Joseph Specter.
Childsplay will now be hosting its productions at the Herberger Theater Center as well.
“Childsplay is very happy to be performing at a more central Valley location and we are a thrilled to be a member of the Herberger Theater Center’s outstanding family of resident companies,” said managing director of Childsplay Steve Martin.
Arizona Broadway Theater plans to expand its productions to a growing audience by co-presenting productions with the Herberger Theatre during the upcoming season.
“As founder of Arizona Broadway Theatre, I am thrilled the Herberger Theater Center’s Board of Directors has accepted ABT as one of its newest resident companies. With our recent success at HTC of “A Christmas Carol” last December and Disney’s “Beauty and The Beast” this past summer, we know there is an audience in central Phoenix and the East Valley for ABT’s brand of entertainment,” said CEO and executive producer of Arizona Broadway Theatre, Kiel Klaphake.“As we foster new relationships with the other resident companies, working together to offer audiences a variety of exciting productions, ABT is eager to advance the mission of the Herberger Theater – bringing the ‘art’ to the ‘audience.’ I applaud the leadership of the Herberger Theater for their vision.”
The organizations will join current resident companies: Arizona Theatre Company, Center Dance Ensemble and iTheatre Collaborative.
The announcement was made with the support of Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton and several other prominent arts leaders.