When a local theater company announces a 2011/2012 season that opens with "The Mousetrap" and closes with "Bye Bye Birdie," Lynn Trimble imagines how the family cat "Pinky" might react to the news.

Lynn Trimble uncovers a few old programs from a local youth theater just as its young performers are readying to present "Broadway Heroes & Villains" at the ASU Kerr Cultural Center in Scottsdale this weekend.

After learning that the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix has been named a Smithsonian Affiliate, Lynn Trimble shares photos of the MIM -- plus a list of other Smithsonian Affiliates in Arizona.

Lynn Trimble previews the 2011 Governor's Arts Awards, taking place April 12 at the Herberger Theater Center in downtown Phoenix.

As high school students interested in theater careers consider where to study theater after graduation, Lynn Trimble shares advice from Valley theater professional Xanthia Walker, M.F.A.

As her daughter Lizabeth weighs which of three colleges to attend this fall, Lynn Trimble checks in with a Valley theater professional for tips on choosing a performing arts college.

Lynn Trimble chats with Washington, D.C. writer and actor Tom Tiding, who'll be performing in this weekend's "Phoenix Fringe Festival," about possible funding cuts to NPR and PBS.

Discouraged after uncovering a list of Arizona hate groups compiled by the Southern Poverty Law Center, Lynn Trimble was delighted to learn that the South Mountain Community College theater department will soon present a play tackling issues of racism and classism in America.

Lynn Trimble reflects on anti-hate messaging in theater and film, an especially timely topic given tragic global events sparked by hate speech here at home.

When Lynn Trimble learned the new season for Starlight Community Theater in Anthem would open with Willy Wonka, she began imagining a Willy Wonka weekend complete with arts and crafts, games, movies and more. Too bad her kids are all young adults now...

After frogs started popping up in calendar listings, Lynn Trimble decided to go in search of frog-related fare. She found plenty -- including poetry, art and frog pond contests your children might enjoy entering to celebrate Save the Frogs Day on April 29, 2011.

After attending a community college performance featuring "Theatre of the Absurd," Lynn Trimble reflects on the many absurdities inherent in parenting and everyday life.

Lynn Trimble was feeling a bit envious of daughter Lizabeth, who'll be enjoying a theater performance in Chicago this weekend, until she spoke with playwright, actor and greeting card writer Tom Tidings. Seems the D.C.-based artist, a corporate lawyer by trade, has plenty of good things to say about theater right here in the Valley of the Sun.

Call the babysitter! Lynn Trimble previews the 2011 Phoenix Fringe Festival-- featuring unique works of theater, including a piece created and performed with homeless youth who share their "definition of a dream."

Lynn Trmble chats with a young actor performing in the Arizona Theatre Company production of Neil Simon's "Lost in Yonkers" -- which runs through April 10 at the Herberger Theater Center in downtown Phoenix.

Lynn Trimble learns more about a play that tackles art and Jewish identity by attending a post-show talkback -- then shares a bit of what she discovered with our readers.