The Mousetrap 2026

Yuma Art Center

The Yuma Art Center advances the arts by providing distinct opportunities for community participation and artistic growth. Our vision is for all members of our community to live creative lives by being a part of the arts in Yuma.

As a creative hub,the Yuma Art Center is a home to the Historic Yuma Theatre, four visual art galleries, an artisan gift shop, the United Building, and a Black Box Theatre in the storefront of 270 Main Street. From presenting fine art exhibitions and theatre productions, to facilitating public art and promoting arts education, the Yuma Art Center is the focal point for the arts in the desert southwest.

 The Yuma Art Center is owned and managed by the City of Yuma’s Parks and Recreation Department and is home to the Division of Arts and Culture.

 

Dinner Theatre Production:

Each February, during the 2 weeks in which Valentine’s Day falls, the Yuma Art Center presents a full-length dinner theatre production in the Yuma Art Center galleries. The center’s central gallery is transformed into a unique performance space with a stage and set built completely for the customized needs of the given production. The 2026 production will mark fourteen years of dinner theatre productions at the Yuma Art Center, the production has sold out every show for thirteen consecutive years.

 

 

Production and Fellowship Timeline:

• Proposal Due: Friday, August 14, 2026 by 11:59 PM
• Fellowship Notification: September 25, 2026
• Fellowship Period: October 2026 - February 2027
• Show Dates: February 4-7 and 11-13, 2027
  • (7 shows and an invitation only Dress Rehearsal.)

 

Fellowship Description:

The Theatre Fellowship program will give a seasoned or emerging theatre practitioner an opportunity to develop their directorial practice with a focus on a community-responsive theatre production. This competitive, part-time residency will provide the awardee with a stipend, technical production needs and administrative support. As a part-time residency, the director is required to conduct regular rehearsals and must be available for the entire week prior to and the week of performance for technical rehearsals. The rehearsal and production schedules will be determined based on the availability of the director and selected cast members.

Support from the Yuma Art Center:

• $2,500 stipend 
• Administrative support; to include: marketing, ticketing, production royalties, and scripts
• Technical production support; to include: lighting, sound, set, properties, and costumes

Fellow Responsibilities:

• Direct a full-length production
• Hold auditions along with YAC support staff
• Lead regularly scheduled rehearsals starting in November 2026
• Assist with programming related to performance
• Attend regular production meetings

 

Application Process:

Applicants must submit this form by Friday, August 14, 2026 at 11:59 PM. Once the submission window closes, all applicants and productions will be considered. Interviews will be scheduled with each application to discuss their submission(s) and provide both parties an opportunity to ask clarifying questions. After all applications have been reviewed, a selection panel comprised of Arts and Culture Division Staff, will select the fellowship recipient to direct the 2027 Dinner Theatre Production. 

Please take into consideration the production preference is a comedy, melodrama, mystery or related genre to fit within the nature of a dinner theatre setting. One may also want to consider the occassion of Valentine's Day when proposing works. It is encouraged to select a play with two acts or up to 120 minutes. Also note that the cast will be comprised of volunteer performers from throughout the Yuma community and the rehearsal schedule will be set based on the availability of the director and cast selected. Because of this, shows with small cast sizes are preferred. Additionally, applicants are not limited to a single proposal. Multiple proposals will be considered and can be submitted on the same form on each box.

 

Preferred Qualifications

• 2 years professional, educational or community theater experience.
• Preferred Bachelor’s Degree in directing, theatre, performance studies or related field.
• Ability to develop and direct a full-length production under the guidance of the Division of Arts and Culture.
• Knowledge of contemporary theatre, theatre education, and dinner theatre practices.
• Willingness to engage and work with local artists.
• Ability to work independently and with staff, volunteers and representatives of local organizations.
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing and public presentations.
• Ability to meet deadlines.