The recent Town Hall meeting at Post 41 was a powerful reminder of why these stories matter — and why New Carpa Theater Co. continues bringing compelling plays to Lunch Time Theater season after season.

For years, New Carpa has made history and current events come alive onstage through works like Raised in War, American Pastorela, The Moment, and many more. These productions do more than entertain, they recover voices, preserve community memory, and connect Phoenix audiences to stories too often left out of the larger narrative.

That spirit was at the heart of this Town Hall, which centered on the history and legacy behind Post 41, presented by New Carpa Theater Co., directed by Alex Sanchez Vega and written by James E. Garcia. The play tells the story of Latino veterans returning home from World War II expecting to be welcomed as heroes, only to pervasive discrimination, sometimes at the hands of fellow non-Latino veterans.

In response, they built their own post — brick by brick — in a South Phoenix barrio. Post 41 became not only a home for veterans, but a beacon for civil rights activism and a living tribute to the service and sacrifice of its members.

The town hall discussion featured an outstanding panel of historians and community voices, including Pete Dimas, Christine Marin, Robert Valenzuela, and Maggie Rivas Rodriguez. Together, they reflected on the importance of preserving oral histories, honoring veterans’ lived experiences, and recognizing the barriers many Latino servicemen still faced even after fighting for their country.

The evening also highlighted the importance of partnership in making these stories possible. Special thanks were extended to Herberger Theater Center CEO Mark Mettes and the Herberger team, whose ongoing support of Lunch Time Theater has helped create space for culturally rich, community-rooted work to thrive in downtown Phoenix. That commitment to diverse storytelling has made the Herberger an especially meaningful home for New Carpa’s work.

The Town Hall made one thing clear: the story of Post 41 is not just history — it is Phoenix history, Latino history, veterans’ history, and American history. And thanks to New Carpa Theater Co., these stories continue to be shared with the care, dignity, and urgency they deserve.

PHOENIX, AZ – The Herberger Theater Center came to life on Sunday, May 3, as guests gathered for the 11th Annual Plated & Staged: Red Carpet Rock, an unforgettable evening celebrating the arts and community support. 

“More than 200 guests joined us for Plated & Staged, the Herberger Theater Center’s signature annual fundraiser,” said Laurene Austin, Director of Development for the Herberger Theater Center.  “This year’s ‘Red Carpet Rock’ theme created an energetic and engaging atmosphere that brought people together in support of youth education and community arts programs.  We are deeply grateful to our sponsors, restaurant partners, donors, and guests whose generosity made the evening such a success.”

Guests enjoyed a cocktail reception, featuring hors d’oeuvres by Fresh from the Kitchen, live music by Jake Greider, silent auction experiences, a wine pull, and the event’s signature cocktail, the “Red Zeppelin.” The celebration continued inside Center Stage with a spirited live auction and special performances by former Arizona Young Artists’ Competition finalists Lila Weber and Gracie Smith, followed by high-energy rock selections performed by Broadway artists who toured nationally together as the leads in Jesus Christ Superstar and now perform as Radio Recall.  The evening concluded with a signature Plated & Staged tradition, as guests discovered which surprise Valley restaurant would host them for an intimate three-course dinner paired with wine.

“Plated & Staged is a celebration of what the arts make possible when a community comes together in support of creativity, connection, and opportunity,” said Mark Mettes, President & CEO of the Herberger Theater Center.  “The funds raised through this event directly support programs that ensure children, families, and our broader community have meaningful access to the arts.”

Since its inception in 2016, Plated & Staged has raised more than $1 million to help expand access to arts experiences throughout the community.  This year’s event raised $150,000 in support of the Herberger Theater Center’s SPARK (Strengthening Potential Through Arts, Resilience & Knowledge) youth education programs, which serve children from low-income and diverse communities, including homeless, abused, and foster youth.  Proceeds also support Community Showcase programs such as First Friday Live, Performance Pop-Ups, and Lunch Time Theater, providing free and low-cost arts experiences for audiences throughout the Valley.  More information about these programs can be found at: https://herbergertheater.org/community-showcase/

The Herberger Theater Center extends its sincere appreciation to the evening’s generous sponsors and partners, including Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, Snell & Wilmer, Perkins Coie, National Bank of Arizona, Earnhardt Lexus, Nava Law Firm PLLC, Columbia Bank, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Alyn Aston Print, and Arizona CW7, along with Roger and Holly DelCastillo in memory of Judd Herberger.

About the Herberger Theater Center

The Herberger Theater Center is Arizona’s center stage, engaging the community through diverse arts experiences that ignite emotion, stimulate conversation, and inspire connections with the arts.  Located in downtown Phoenix, the Herberger Theater Center serves as a vibrant home for theater, dance, music, youth arts education, community programming, and resident performing arts organizations throughout the Valley.   For more information, visit: www.HerbergerTheater.org 

PHOENIX, AZ – This week, the Herberger Theater Center in Downtown Phoenix welcomes its five millionth guest, marking a major milestone in the organization’s history since opening its doors in 1989. Reaching five million guests reflects generations of exceptional performing and Resident Companies, as well as countless artists, who have brought the Herberger Theater stages to life and helped shape its enduring cultural impact.

The milestone comes at a moment of renewed momentum. Audience attendance has surged in recent months, with nearly 56,000 guests welcomed since October, and each month marking the highest attendance since the pandemic began in early 2020. Resident Companies have played a significant role in this resurgence, especially Childsplay Theatre, whose productions have accounted for approximately 40 percent of total attendance during this period.

Over the years, the Herberger Theater Center’s stages have hosted an extraordinary range of stories, voices, and creative expressions, with each performance contributing to a shared cultural legacy shaped by imagination, courage, and craft. Today, that legacy continues through a vibrant guest experience that places connection, welcome, and discovery at the center of every visit. Whether attending a beloved local production or encountering something entirely new, audiences can expect performances that challenge, delight, and resonate long after the curtain falls.

“Looking ahead, this milestone strengthens our commitment to the future of live performance in our community,” said Mark Mettes, President and CEO of Herberger Theater Center. “We are energized by the chance to expand the ways people gather around shared creative experiences, while continuing to support artists and welcome new audiences into the arts. As we celebrate our five millionth guest, we do so with gratitude for the past, enthusiasm for the present, and confidence in the many powerful moments still to come.”

The Herberger Theater Center will mark this milestone on Friday, February 6, with First Friday Live: A Night in Japan, a free Community Showcase event that launches a month-long celebration. The evening will feature live taiko drumming, martial arts demonstrations, dance performances, and hands-on activities including origami and watercolor painting. To learn more about attending this event and upcoming performances, visit HerbergerTheater.org.