About

"We are such stuff as dreams are made on..."
The Tempest - Act IV, Scene I

Our Beginning

Grassroots Shakespeare Arizona began in the Spring of 2015 with the production of Twelfth Night. The company has since continued to perform several productions a year at either Dobson Ranch Park or Chandler Preparatory Academy. For the full history of Grassroots Shakespeare check out the Grassroots Shakespeare website.

Our Mission

To bring fun and accessible Shakespeare to the Phoenix area with a Method of performing true to the customs of the Bard's time.

What is Our Method?

Our Board

Miranda Giles

Since receiving her MFA in theater from Arizona State University, Miranda has been working as an educator, actor, and playwright around the valley. She is currently the drama teacher at Chandler Preparatory Academy and previously worked as Education Outreach Coordinator at the Utah Shakespeare Festival.

Amy Palmer

Receiving her bachelor's degree in Theatre and Animal Conservation and Welfare from Whittier College, Amy likes to think of herself as the next Betty White. At an early age Amy always had a strong passion for acting, entertaining her family and friends, and now she hopes to continue to act and win that golden statue named Oscar.

Mary Beth Hollmann

With over 20 years experience in community theatre in New York, North Carolina and Arizona (acting, directing, stage managing, co-founding and board working) and a MA in English, Mary Beth brings her fanaticism for Shakespeare and love of theatre education to Grassroots. She hopes that each performance brings more converts into the Shakespeare fold!

Kayela Seegmiller

After completing a master's degree in performance studies at NYU, Kayela Seegmiller moved to Arizona and started teaching 6th Grade. She cuts scripts, collects paperwork and does general dramaturgical work for Grassroots.

Ethan Kirkpatrick

Currently obtaining a MA in Global Affairs and Management at Thunderbird School of Global Management, Ethan still likes to take time to act and pursue more artistic endeavors. Although he has been acting in various productions all over Phoenix since he was 12, it wasn’t until Grassroots that he fell in love with Shakespeare and the company’s unique, interactive form.

Marina Sharpe

Marina has been part of the Arizona theatre community since Grassroots introduced her to their unique and invigorating process in the Fall of 2015. A Shakespeare enthusiast since high school, she works with Grassroots with the intent of showing everyone just how relevant, beautiful, and hilarious the Bard’s works remain to this day.

Perry Vargas

Perry Vargas is an undergraduate at Arizona State University studying astrophysics and math. He has been acting since he was 10 and involved with Grassroots Shakespeare Arizona since its inception.