Performing Arts

The leads are excellent — the supporting cast, not so much.

A bullied, artistic teen. An underworld race inspired by Mayan mythology. A robot cat. A little girl named Loofa Tutu. These are the subjects of the finalists of a new play festival sponsored by Childsplay Theatre. Judges of the company’s Write Now Festival considered more than 100 play submissions before…

Don’t play yourself.

And frankly, you don’t have to be a dance expert to enjoy them.

And why it matters.

Expect stand-up, sketch, storytelling, and improv

Political piñatas welcome.

And why she loves Ib Andersen’s work.

It’s beautifully acted and quite timely.

Shh, let Angela Ellsworth guide you.

Performances take over the train.

“I wanted to create a world about data that people can touch, hold, feel.”

XOXO

It was the festival’s 10th year.

The dance festival’s 10th edition hits Tempe this weekend.

Featuring Maren Mascarelli, Angelica Howland, and Rusty Ferracane.

“So much stuff goes wrong, it’s hilarious.”

No wall — just bridge.

And what you need to know about the Phoenix edition of the event.

Just you wait.

Even — or especially — armchairs.

Sam Haldiman never expected to come back to Phoenix. The Arizona native first began performing improvisational comedy nearly two decades ago, studying short form improv at Jester’Z in Mesa. From there he relocated to the improv capital of the country, Chicago, where taking an intensive summer course turned into an…