The Invisible Theatre (IT,) celebrating its 50th anniversary, is a nonprofit arts organization, started in downtown Tucson in 1971 by a group of local playwrights to produce new plays and readings and to encourage local arts professionals to share their craft. Five years later, IT moved to its current location, which has 80 seats in an intimate setting that connects with the invisible energy between the performers and audience. IT has now expanded to include adaptations of classics and current off-Broadway plays and musicals, as well as locally produced plays and readings. Under the leadership of Managing Artistic Director Susan Claassen and Associate Artistic Director James Blair, IT is strongly committed to community service and outreach programs. The seasons include six-play main stage productions; student/senior matinees; unique special events; one-on-one dialogues with local professional artists; educational tours; Project Pastime, an award-winning educational theatre program for mentally/physically challenged youth; and seminars that encourage community dialogue. The intimate setting of our 80-seat venue is a powerful feature of Invisible Theatre’s productions; our theatre creates a strong relationship between our audience and performers. Our artistic partnerships have included collaborations with internationally recognized artists who may not otherwise have performed in Tucson (Emmy-nominated John Amos, Oscar-nominated Lynn Redgrave, and Golden Globe winner Amanda McBroom, to name a few). Through student matinees and intergenerational discounts, IT is committed to providing underserved populations with access to the theatre. Our artistic ensemble brings a wealth of diverse experience that culminates in programming that brings a broad spectrum of populations together through the magic of live theatre. This collaborative, multifaceted approach broadens our audience and deepens participation. It is the programming that is a magnet for community support. IT offers tremendous diversity, reflecting unique stories that celebrate shared recognition of the human spirit. Our season includes themes that appeal to different cultures in the community. One season ticket holder wrote, “Invisible Theatre provides a safe environment for us to experience things we do not see in our everyday life.”

The Invisible Theatre has set up “The Golden Angels” Legacy Fund in honor of Mary Ann Stubbs, Elizabeth B. Smith and Dr. Bella Eibensteiner to support arts education and next generation leadership. The local, national and international community is encouraged to make a tribute tax-deductible donation.

We are so grateful for your donations. As a thank you, your donation will give you access to an online link to Invisible Theatre’s amazing, once in a lifetime 50th Anniversary Retro-Spectacular Cabaret!”

A donation to Invisible Theatre means IT will go toward the WORK we produce, not the paper produced in a fund-raising campaign. IT means that all of the monies raised will go toward the present and the future sustainability of the Invisible Theatre. IT means your donation will go towards wonderful projects that focus on ability rather than disability, like our PROJECT PASTIME for exceptional education students at Doolen Middle School. (We are hoping to be back in the schools this spring). IT means that you know your donation will go towards sustaining our incredible 50 YEAR HISTORY of producing quality theatrical productions like BECOMING DR. RUTH, LOOPED, EMERGENCY and bringing in special guest productions like DOWN TO EARTHA, DIXIE’S TUPPERWARE PARTY and FROM BROOKLYN TO BROADWAY. And most of all, IT means that you know we will continue programming that respects cultural heritage while reflecting universal truths!