The Scoundrel and Scamp Theatre

The Scoundrel & Scamp Theatre creates immersive & imaginative experiences crafted for a diverse cross-generational audience. Our collaborative environment facilitates inquiry and inclusivity with the goal to inspire empathy and encourage discourse. The Scoundrel & Scamp Theatre celebrates the illuminative power of the theatre arts to help us dream, question, and forge connections with one another.

Primarily, our programming consists of three elements: an annual season of high- quality, challenging theatrical works ranging from classics to new, with an emphasis on new and/or rarely-produced work; youth classes, mentorship, and performance opportunities through which we aim to cultivate the next generation of Tucson theatre artists, with emphasis on collaboration, imagination, inquiry, and training; and unique performances crafted and created by local artists.

Within the framework of our productions each season, we are delighted to have partnered with Act One in order to provide free and reduced-cost tickets to schools and public libraries, as we feel the arts community only increases in vitality and vibrancy when performers and patrons alike hail from many backgrounds. We are fiercely dedicated to continuing our efforts to make theatrical access as equitable as possible, and are extremely proud to have provided 100% of all requested financial aid toward our classes and camps since 2021. During the 2022-23 season, we have also provided deep discounts to many schools that would otherwise be unable to attend our matinees on field trips; these steps, which we feel are crucial to ensuring childhood engagement with the arts, are only possible with the support of our generous donors.

In addition to the classes and performances we offer to budding creatives and theatre-goers, we offer crucial space and services to working artists in our community as well. We provide a much-needed venue for other arts organizations: affordable, top- notch facilities with state-of-the-art sound and light capabilities, along with a dance floor. Opening our space to other companies provides the arts community with opportunities to stage productions of all kinds, bringing to life works that may never have otherwise been able to be staged.

This year, The Scoundrel & Scamp Theatre is pleased to have brought Red Herring Puppets into our artistic family! Puppetmaster Lisa Sturz is creative force, and we're excited to continue our educational and artistic missions with her alongside us, creating and performing imaginative works of puppetry genius!

Testimonials

"The Scoundrel and Scamp mounts artful productions of contemporary plays for those of us, the Scoundrels, who adore live theater. They do the same for our children, the Scamps, as well. The Scoundrel plays range from classics like Lorca's "Blood Wedding", to Mitchell's contemporary "Every Brilliant Thing". The Scamp productions include Tucson's Wolfe Bowart acting his own "Cloud Soup" as well as other magic tales. You will rarely see the plays they present on any other stage in the city. Their work is sometimes heartbreaking and sometimes hilarious but it is always thought provoking and beautifully presented. Make this theater part of your life. You won't regret it."
-- Tim Fuller, photographer

"The first individuals I believe that are absolutely necessary to highlight in this production are the youth actors or "scamps." […] If these scamps are any reflection of the quality of education and experience being provided at The Scoundrel and Scamp Theatre to youth, then every family needs to look into getting their children enrolled in a workshop or two."
-- Mara Capati, reviewer

"Of all the theatres I collaborate with across the country, I consider it a privilege and a gift to work with The Scoundrel & Scamp Theatre - an organization that both champions new work as well as centers LQBTQ+ stories and artists in their productions and programming. I was thrilled to learn about their Playwrights Workshop initiative, and believe it is a crucial endeavor for developing and supporting LGBTQ+ playwrights, who are historically underrepresented and undersupported creatively and financially not just in Arizona but in the greater American Theatre. As an LGBTQ+ playwright, my experience with The Scoundrel & Scamp was a rare one: a playwright-centered environment with collaborators who strive for innovation in theatrical storytelling and authenticity in representing marginalized voices on and off stage. I can attest that this Playwrights Workshop will provide the same unique artist-driven experience for the participants and undoubtedly prove to be career-defining for these LQBTQ+ playwrights - it is an unprecedented opportunity for LGBTQ+ writers in the region (and nationally) and I hope you will fully support it."
-- Fly Jamerson, Playwright