Meet Carol MacLeod | Artistic Director, Theatre Artists Studio

We had the good fortune of connecting with Carol MacLeod and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Carol, how did you come up with the idea for your business?
Theatre Artists Studio obtained its non profit status in 2005 as a theatre resource. It was founded as a cooperative to provide a space for actors, directors, playwrights and tech designers to have a space to work at their art in an atmosphere of mutual growth and collaboration and to promote interaction between the artists and the community by producing innovate and thought-provoking productions of their own choosing. The idea was to give theatre artists an opportunity to bring their own projects, whether it was a play they always wanted to direct, a role they always wanted to play or to workshop, read or produce a new play they had written.

It would be a volunteer membership organization where artists would pay yearly dues to help support the maintenance of the theater and would give volunteer hours to support the work of their fellow members.

For 17 years we have provided the community with quality productions and an educational resource where members share their talents with the community through classes and workshops and provide a two-week summer camp for children in temporary housing. Although membership changes, the idea was always to celebrate the power and imagination of theatre in a permanent space of our own.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

I have been a theatre professional for over 60 years. I began my career in New York as a stage and television actress but then extended my love of theatre into the areas of producing, directing and teaching as well. When my wonderful marriage to John MacLeod, who was coach of the Phoenix Suns at the time, brought me to Phoenix, I became one of the founders of the Actors Theatre of Phoenix and served as its first Artistic and Managing Director. I also served as the Director of the Arizona Theatre Company’s Encompass (Outreach) Program and was an original member of the Phoenix Arts Commission. Teaching has always been the most important part of my career. I taught at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City and in Phoenix for the Phoenix Center for the Performing Arts, The Arizona Theatre Company, The Actors Theatre and The Herberger Theater Center’s “Stages” Program, and served as the Fine Arts Coordinator at Xavier College Preparatory. Prior to my return to Phoenix in 2000, I was a member of the faculty at the University of Notre Dame for seven years both in the Department of Theatre and the Department of English. Presently, I am one of the Founders of Theatre Artists Studio and  serve as President of their Board of Directors and Artistic Director. I am also directing and teaching at The Studio.

I have always loved stories…not just reading them but bringing the words to life. To be able to lift words off a page, translate them intellectually and emotionally,  and to give them back with all the meaning they were meant to have. What a remarkable art form and especially when you share this imagined reality moment to moment with an audience. It can be so powerful because the best way to get someone to listen to you is to tell them a story.

Over the years my most rewarding moments have come as a teacher…loving this art and being able to teach the process has been a blessing. My goals as a teacher have always been: first awareness, then understanding, and finally compassion. Words matter! ….and to help students and actors find the power and imagination of words, to see them affected by their words and stories so the can affect others. Theatre is a wonderful thing! It brings people together in a dark theatre without distraction, brings them into that imagined reality of a play where they can  open their minds and hearts to thoughts and feelings! I am so grateful for the opportunity to be part of this exceptional art and to have in my later years, a home with a family of outstanding artists at The Studio

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

Well…. nature and culture!

I would take them to the beauty of our mountains, encourage them to hike although my hiking days are probably best in the past….see the beauty of the desert in the Botanical Gardens and parks.

So many cultural activities:
A trip to the Symphony, The Herberger, , The Phoenix Art Museum, The Scottsdale Center For The Arts, The MIM, The Opera, The Phoenix Theater for a Musical, See what was playing at some of the other local theaters like Black Theatre Troupe and a host of other smaller companies Check out what was at Gammage at ASU, Childsplay and Greasepaint if they had children, Southwest Shakespeare for lovers of the Bard and then, of course, last but not least : Theatre Artists Studio!

I might suggest a Phoenix Suns game if they were in town

I would of course take them to my two favorite Restaurants: Michelina’s Italian Restaurant and Rusconi’s Kitchen

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
The Artistic and Sustaining Members of Theatre Artists Studio whose exceptional talents, dedication, and love of the art of live theatre have been a joy, an inspiration, and constant reinforcement to overcoming the many difficulties of life in the arts. And of course, my wonderful family who have loved and supported me all the days of my life.

Website: thestudio@thestudiophx.org

Instagram: theatreartistsstudio

Image Credits
Maia Landau