The show is called “The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity”, but when the lights come up at the top of Act 1, the professional wrestling ring on the T2 stage is lit with a simple spotlight on a single character: Macedonio Guerra. Guerra, played in T2’s production—directed by Dexter J. Singleton— by Cedric Leiba, Jr., is slight of build but fierce of soul; a wrestler gifted enough to make untalented—but more charismatic—competitors shine in the ring. As he does for Chad Deity, for example, whose savvy business sense and outsized charisma have taken him to the top of THE Wrestling organization. But where Chad is the cold, hard reality of professional wrestling, Macedonio is its promise—what it could be, in a different world.

Lara Jo HightowerApril 25, 2022 Comment

Shon Middlebrooks talks "Chad Deity"

When Shon Middlebrooks strides on stage as the titular role in T2’s production of the Pulitzer Prize finalist “The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity”, written by Kristoffer Diaz and directed by Dexter J. Singleton, it’s hard to separate the man from the character: Middlebrooks embodies Deity’s bombastic swagger so fully, you’re tempted to assume he’s just being himself on stage. But on the contrary—as it turns out, Middlebrooks is one of the kindest, most gentle human beings you’re likely to meet, his thoughtfulness and insight as far from Deity’s brash braggadocio as you can possibly imagine. We talked to Middlebrooks about how he found the core of Chad Deity and what it’s like performing in a show with such rigorous physical demands.

Lara Jo HightowerApril 21, 2022Comment

Gala for Access and Education features Chef Matthew Cooper

“I knew that TheatreSquared has been a real asset to the Northwest Arkansas community for over 15 years now, and, through my wife's work and studies as a therapist, I know that the performing arts benefits our community way beyond just entertainment,” he says. “I'm also a fan of their outreach programs—in that way, I think their mission mirrors my own to build community in Northwest Arkansas."

Lara Jo HightowerApril 20, 2022Comment

Pulitzer Prize finalist Kristoffer Diaz on "Chad Deity"

Kristoffer Diaz, the New York-based playwright behind the Pulitzer Prize finalist “The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity”—opening at TheatreSquared stage this week—sounds excited when he talks about the prospect of his show opening on stages outside of major urban centers.

Lara Jo HightowerApril 11, 2022Comment

Women of T2's Production Team Pack a Punch

This is part 3 of a 3-part series celebrating the woman of T2’s production team. Studies show that most production-related positions lack gender parity—but women make up 50 percent of TheatreSquared’s production staff. In this series, these talented women tell us a little bit about what their job is like and the path that brought them here.

Lara Jo HightowerApril 4, 2022Comment

T2's Talented Staff Breaks Barriers, Builds Theatrical Worlds

Lara Jo HightowerApril 4, 2022Comment