ariZoni Awards of Theatre Excellence
About Us
The ariZoni Awards of Theatre Excellence is a non-profit organization that was created to promote the visibility and support the growth of theatre in the Valley of the Sun & Maricopa County. Over the past 30 years, the main focus of the organization has been on an annual awards ceremony during which nearly 1000 theater artists are recognized as nominees and more 100 awards are given in both youth and adult categories in 50+ categories. Awards are given annually to artists after a rigorous adjudication process whereby nearly 100 trained adjudicators attend and adjudicate more than 200 productions each season.
In addition, special awards including outstanding contribution, distinguished service and stage management are given to deserving individuals or organizations for their contributions to theatre; and, if funding allows, the ariZoni Scholarship Committee annually awards one or more scholarships to selected, qualified students.
In 2021, the ariZoni Theatre Awards of Excellence organization held a detailed strategic planning session including members of the Board of Directors and other theater community members who wished to be involved. Through that work, it became clear that the organization has the potential to be much more than an awards-producing entity. Over the next three years the organization will begin a transformation into a statewide theater support organization.
Mission/Vision
Preliminary Update 2021:
Mission:
The ariZoni Theatre Awards of Excellence (ATAE) is a non-profit service organization dedicated to building awareness and appreciation of and best practices for live theater in Arizona.
Vision:
The ariZoni Theatre Awards organization is transitioning to a multi-faceted theater service organization where every theater, regardless of size, budget, location, or artistic vision, is connected, supported, included and valued. We see a world in which safety, diversity, equity, inclusion and access are hallmarks of all area theaters.
This language was created out of the 2021 Strategic Planning session with participation from the ariZoni Theatres Awards of Excellence Board of Directors and other interested theater community members.