Welcome to the Arizona Young Actors' Alliance!

Hello!

Welcome to our new little group! This is the Arizona Young Actors' Alliance. Here, we support all theatres in the Arizona -- particularly the Phoenix area -- geared towards youth and young actors in Arizona no matter what their endeavor is! The goal for this is to be a supportive conglomerate that will improve the relations between young actors and help us all achieve our greater goals.

My name is Mackenna Goodrich and I will be your fearless leader. I have lived in Arizona for around 10 years and have worked with a few different theatres around the Valley. (Though, not as many as I would like!)

Recently, I've noted some tension between actors and actresses around the Valley who feel they are "brand loyal" to a certain theatre and discourage other young actors from auditioning at theatres they don't feel is their "home." The idea is to knock these barriers down a bit and make everyone feel at home in the community as a whole in addition to giving young actors a voice.

"Okay, yay, that all sounds nice and warm and hot-chocolate-chip-cookies-on-a-brisk-winter-day, but how?"

Well, here are some of basic ideas my friends -- all actors in this area -- and I have fleshed out:

• Interviews with young actors, actresses, directors, writers, etc. in Arizona
• "Bedroom Sessions" -- like "Broadway Sessions" (if you've never seen any, YouTube. Now.), but with young actors and actresses submitting videos of them singing or acting in a casual environment -- like a bedroom.
• Reviews of shows -- Users can submit reviews of youth productions around AZ! Obviously, these will be screened before being published.
• Upcoming audition and show listings
• And then the more "pipe dream"-y ideas: 1) An end-of-the-year cabaret style show featuring actors and actresses under the age of 21 from across Arizona 2) An online "Arizona Young Actors' Alliance" Awards (we'll think of a snappier title!) where WE submit the nominations and WE decide the winners. Youth rewarding other youth.

And I am sure we'll think of some other cool ideas to add along the way.

So, that's the basic gist of what my peers and I wish to accomplish through AZ Young Actors' Alliance (or AYAA). To end with some primary goals:

1. To create a comfortable, supportive environment for all young actors in Arizona.
2. To give the youth a voice in the theatre community
3. To connect young actors to new friends and opportunities
4. And most importantly, to give everyone their best chance.

And that is all, folks! If you have any questions, comments, submissions, etc., please e-mail me at mackenna.azyoungactors@gmail.com. I am hoping to get upcoming auditions and productions up as soon as possible, as well as an interview from an exciting young actress in the Valley!

Thank you so much! Let's support the arts and our young Arizona artists!

Mackenna Goodrich