Nearly Naked Theatre

Nearly Naked Theatre is a nonprofit organization doing business in the Greater Phoenix area. I posed ten questions to a representative of Nearly Naked Theatre in an effort to familiarize Phoenix area residents with the organization. Here are the responses I received.

What is the name of the organization?

Nearly Naked Theatre

How long has the organization been operating in the Phoenix area?

Nearly Naked Theatre was founded by Artistic Director Damon Dering in 1999. Dering, working as an actor all over town, had grown tired of performing in the same plays over and over at different theaters... all of them very safe, very boring plays again and again. Interested in producing work that was thought-provoking and challenging, not just to the audience but to the artists creating it, he founded Nearly Naked. The response to Nearly Naked was immediate. Audiences looking for a change from the mainstream and for theatre that wasn't so "safe" and "sanitized" began to find us, and talk about us, and recommend us.

Does the organization serve a particular geographic area?

No. Our audiences come from all over the state. Our audiences are diverse and return to our challenging and thought-provoking productions. Noted for NOT doing the same kind of theater as every other company in the Valley, Nearly Naked Theatre has featured the Arizona premieres of Lilies, Salome's Last Dance, The King of Infinite Space, The Shape of Things, Valparaiso, Shakespeare's R&J, Gilgamesh, Sordid Lives, Valhalla and the first local production of The Who's Tommy.

Who is most likely to benefit from services provided by the organization?

Anyone looking to see "alternative" and thought-provoking theater productions that are not available from other Valley theater companies.

Are there requirements or prerequisites for people to access your services?

Not at all! Some of our productions are for "mature" audiences and may not be appropriate for children. If one of our show contains provocative content or includes a "mature" theme, our website and show information will indicate such.

Three things about Nearly Naked Theatre that people might not know.

1. Our Name - Not referring to the participants' state of dress, Nearly Naked is theater that has been stripped down to its essentials. When something is naked, it is exposed and presented without pretense, and that is the nature of our theater. Free of conformity and political pressure, Nearly Naked presents theater that is honest by its simplicity. Lavish sets and costumes may be used, but are not required. The actors themselves are not naked... unless of course, that's the nature of the show.
2. Our Awards - Our objective is to perform shows plays and musicals that will provoke thought as well as be entertaining. Though we don't try to win awards, we have been recognized and have won awards from local and national publications and organizations. Nearly Naked Theatre received 30 ariZoni Theatre Awards of Excellence nominations for our 2005-2006 season (and won 13 of those categories including Best Overall Musical Production for The Who's Tommy)!
3. Our Arizona Premieres - We focus on providing Valley audiences with productions that are rarely produced or have never been performed in Arizona. Our current season includes the Arizona premieres of the award winning Take Me Out, Betty's Summer Vacation and Bat Boy: The Musical. Our 2007-2008 season will again include Arizona premieres: Mary Zimmerman's Methamorpheses, Snake in Fridge by Brad Fraser and Reefer Madness - the new hit musical by Dan Studney & Kevin Murphy.

What is the local address?

We are a resident theater company performing at Phoenix Theatre's Little Theatre located at the Phoenix Art Museum / Phoenix Theatre complex on McDowell Road and Central Avenue (100 East McDowell Road).

What is the local phone number?

Phoenix Theatre Box Office: 602-254-2151
Administrative Offices: 602-274-2432

What is the URL of the local web site?

www.nearlynakedtheatre.org

Any other comments?

Nearly Naked Theatre is a not-for-profit group of local artists: actors, writers, directors, designers and technicians, seeking a new voice in Valley theater, free of censorship and artistic stifling, who wish to produce thought-provoking and challenging theater! It's not as easy as it sounds!

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