Once upon a time (2017), two like-minded Arizona State University graduate students name Dontá McGilvery  and Claire K. Redfield, had a vision to do theatre with and for people in underrepresented communities in Arizona. The two drew up a proposal and recruited the help of Caress Russell and Corey Reynolds--and with that, the foundation for a community-based theatre company was laid.  Our two co-founders then surveyed people in Central and South Phoenix areas to find out the kinds of stories they would like to be staged and to find a name for the newly formed theatre company to embrace. After speaking to students in K-12 schools, surveying church members, and community members the name Sleeveless Acts was chosen. 

  Sleeveless Acts began as the sole recipient of Arizona State University’s new initiative: Design/Arts Entrepreneurship In, With, and For Communities as part of Herberger Institute’s Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Program. Although a secular arts ensemble, we often collaborate with the marginalized communities served by our partner organizations, the 118 year old First Institutional Baptist Church as well as Eastlake Park Community Center.
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Our first project, The African-American Storytellers Production (2018), displayed legendary Black literary authors throughout history, staged with and by an intergenerational ensemble made of 15 community members ages 13-70. ​The production was featured in the Arizona Informant.