About
The Invisible Theatre has made its home in Tucson since 1971 — one of the most intimate professional houses in the Southwest.
IT takes its name from the invisible energy that flows between a performer and audience, creating the magic of theatre. Started in 1971 as an arena for local playwrights, the theatre has expanded its programs to include adaptations of classics and recent Off-Broadway plays and musicals, while continuing to encourage new playwrights through both full productions and stage readings.
Under the leadership of Managing Artistic Director Betsy Kruse Craig, Co-Managng director Linda Pierce, and Associate Artistic Director James Blair, IT is strongly committed to community service and outreach programs.
Memberships
Leadership
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Betsy Kruse Craig
Managing Artistic Director
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Her recent work here includes the solo performances "Looped" (Tallulah Bankhead), "Red Hot Patriot" (Molly Ivins), and "What the Constitution Means to Me," and, as director, "The Garbologists" and "Inside Out: Men Behind Bars," which she adapted from the writings of incarcerated men at FCI Tucson. She spent nearly a decade in the San Francisco Bay Area, acting with Palo Alto Players, leading The Pear Theatre in Mountain View as Artistic Director, and founding the multi-campus theatre program at Stratford Schools, where she served as program director for both theatre and Speech & Debate. Earlier, in Tucson, she was Professor of Theatre Arts at Pima Community College, where she started the college's Children's Theatre program and served as interim director of the Theatre program before moving to the University of Arizona to teach acting, directing, voice and movement, and period style. She holds an M.F.A. in acting and directing from the University of Arizona and a B.A. in theatre arts from the University of Minnesota Moorhead. Thirty-four years after that first entrance, the entrances are hers to give.
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James Blair
Associate Artistic Associate
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Jim has been the Invisible Theatre Renaissance man for decades and has designed for Desert Voices, The Waterfront Playhouse, The Red Barn Theatre in Key West and The University of Arizona. James is technical director for the national and international touring company of the award winning and critically acclaimed A CONVERSATION WITH EDITH HEAD.
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Linda J. Pierce
Co-Managing Director
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She brings twenty-five years of nonprofit leadership from Archaeology Southwest, where she served as programs manager, director of development, deputy director, and finally Vice President for Finance & Operations, growing the organization from three staff to a $3 million annual budget. Linda came to Tucson from Iowa in 1984 and holds an M.A. in anthropology from the University of Arizona, where she was a National Science Foundation Graduate Fellow. After a long career in the sciences, she is delighted to have returned to her first professional love.
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Louis Tancredi
Box Office Manager & Director of Patron Services
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After 19 years in the insurance business doing sales, service and mentoring, working in a Non Profit local Tucson institution felt like the right fit to Louis. He has worked in production accounting at La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego and brings his background in database management, customer service, and people skills to this position.
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Alli Wildman
Assistant Technical Director
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Will O'Neill
Production Stage Manager
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Tim Fuller
Resident Photographer
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Rob Boone
Resident Sound Designer
Board of Directors
- Alejandro Canelos Author & Musician
- Amy Weintraub Yoga Instructor, Writer
- Christina Belin Sales/Client Relationship Manager
- Cicely D'Autremont Social Worker (retired)
- Douglas & Laura Mance Financial Consultant & Realtor (both retired)
- Gail Fitzhugh Associate Director
- Hope Simpara Instructor at Art School
- Joan Cole Community Volunteer
- Jonathon Zenz Senior Minister, Unity Church Tucson
- Lindsay Joelle Playwright, Educational Consultant
- Missy Welch Musican & Marine Industry (retired)
- Pamela J. Parry Meeting Planner (Retired)
- Sandra Del Casale School Teacher (Retired)
- Shirley Scott Guest Services, Radio City Music Hall
- Tania Gutsche Consultant
- Trish Thayer
- William "Jake" Jacobs Managing Director (Retired)
Emeritus
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Susan Claassen
Managing Artistic Director Emeritus
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She has directed 600 productions and acted in over 70 including her award-winning touring production of A CONVERSATION WITH EDITH HEAD. Among many accolades, she was recently honored as one of Arizona’s 48 Most Intriguing Women. Susan has been a member of Actors’ Equity Association for over 50 years.
