TEST TEST TEST TEST TEST TEST TEST TEST >> Ted: NEXT ON ARIZONAHORIZON, THE IMPACT OF ONE-TIME REPUBLICAN FRONTRUNNER RON DESANTIS DROPPING OUT OF THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE AND THE CURRENT LOOK OF HEALTHCARE IN ARIZONA.

THE SAGE ADAPTATION OF THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK IS SET FOR A SPECIAL PERFORMANCE IN THE SCOTTSDALE CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS.

THAT'S NEXT ON ARIZONA HORIZON.

GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO ARIZONA HORIZON.

I'M TED SIMONS.

THE U.S. SUPREME COURT TODAY GAVE THE GO-AHEAD FOR FEDERAL AGENTS TO CUT RAZOR WIRE THAT TEXAS INSTALLED ON THE U.S.-MEXICO BORDER.

IT WAS A 5-4 VOTE GRANTING AN APPEAL FROM THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION AND ITS ONGOING DISPUTE WITH THE TEXAS GOVERNOR.

IT APPLIES TO THE SECTION OF THE RIO GRANDE WHERE STATE OFFICIALS BLOCKED THE BORDER, TO BROCK ACCESS,BLOCKACCESS.

TODAY'S RULING LIFTED AN APPEAL'S COURT DECISION THAT PROHIBITED THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION FROM REMOVING THE WIRE.

>>> A HEADLINES, CONGRESS AND PAUL GOSAR IS ATTEMPTING TO DISTANCE THEMSELVES FROM A FUNDRAISING EMAIL THAT CRITICIZES THE DECLINE OF WHITE RECRUITS IN THE U.S. ARMY AS A, QUOTE, CRISIS OF SPIRIT.

THAT'S ACCORDING TO THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC WHICH REPORTS THE EMAIL CLAIMS TO BE PAID FOR BY GOSAR'S CAMPAIGN AND HAS LINKS TO THE CAMPAIGN WEBSITE.

IT REPORTEDLY APPEARS TO ORIGINATE FROM THE CAMPAIGN'S OFFICIAL DOMAIN.

BUT GOSAR'S CAMP SAYS NEITHER HAD ANY KNOWLEDGE OF THE EMAIL.

>>> THEY'RE SAYING A HOTLINE FOR INAPPROPRIATE TOPICS IN THE ARIZONA SCHOOL IS CALLED ABOUT TWO DOZEN REAL COMPLAINTSES OUT OF THE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF CALLS RECEIVED.

THE SUPERINTENDENT LAUNCHED THIS AND SAID INVESTIGATORS WOULD BE SENT TO OFFENDING SCHOOLS AND THE DEPARTMENT IS SAYING IT'S NOT RESPONSIBLE DESPITE HOTLINE INVESTIGATORS FUNDED AT 70,000 TO $80,000 A YEAR.

THE PUBLIC SCHOOL'S EMPLOYEE UNION SAYS IT'S AWARE OF ANY INVESTIGATED TO DATE.

>>> FORD IS EASING BACK ON ELECTRIC VEHICLES SHUTTING DOWN ONE OF TWO FACILITIES THAT BUILT F-150 TRUCKS AND IT WAS MADE BECAUSE OF CUSTOMER DEMAND OR LACK THEREOF.

SALES OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES INCREASED LAST YEAR AND THAT INCREASE WAS LOWER THAN MOST INDUSTRY ANALYSTS HAD EXPECTED.

>>> FLORIDA GOVERNOR RON DESANTIS ANNOUNCED HE WAS DROPPING OUT OF THE 2024 RACE LEAVING DONALD TRUMP AND NIKKI HALEY LEFT AND FOR WHAT THIS ALL MEANS, WE WELCOME CAMRYN CHUCK COUGHLIN FROM HIGHLAND PUBLIC AFFAIRS.

WAS THIS IS A SURPRISE TO?

>> NO.

I FIGURED AFTER THE DISAPPOINTING PERFORMANCE IN IOWA, HE HAD PUSH ALL CASH ON THE FRONT END OF THE TABLE HERE IN TRYING TO MAKE AN IMPRESSION IN IOWA THAT HE COULD BE COMPETITIVE WITH TRUMP AND WENT THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN, YOU KNOW, I THINK THE WRITING IS ON THE WALL.

>> Ted: HE DID FINISH SECOND AND FINISHING SECOND CAN'T BE ALL THAT BAD, BUT IT WAS A DISTANT SECOND.

>> TRUMP GOT OVER 50% OF THE 115,000 REPUBLICANS WHO DID PARTICIPATE IN THE ELECTION.

HALF DIDN'T SUPPORT TRUMP AND HALF DID SUPPORT TRUMP.

HALF SUPPORTED SOMEBODY ELSE.

BUT, YEAH, IT WAS A -- A CAUCUS IS AN EXPENSIVE WAY TO CAMPAIGN AND I ATTRIBUTED AND SAW WHAT MOST PEOPLE SAW WAS A LACK OF CHARISMA ON BEHALF OF THE CANDIDATE.

IT JUST DIDN'T TRANSLATE FROM THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE IN FLORIDA AND THE COMMANDING PRESENCE AS THE GOVERNOR ONTO THE STREET.

>> Ted: WHAT HAPPENED TO HIM?

HE WAS A FRONTRUNNER AND A BIG WHEEL AND EVERYBODY THOUGHT THIS IS THE POOCH OF FUTURE OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

IS LACK OF CHARISMA THAT BIG OF A DEAL?

>> IT'S THAT AND YOU'RE RUNNING AGAINST THE FORMER PRESIDENT.

YOU'RE RUNNING AGAINST THE LAST NOMINEE OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

SO THAT IS AN UPHILL CLIMB TO BEGIN WITH AND THE SECONDARY THING, NOBODY HAS FIGURED OUT HOW TO C LEVE THAT REPUBLICAN MAJORITY AWAY FROM TURN IN TERMS OF THE REPUBLICAN NARRATIVE.

WHAT HE TRIED TO DO WAS HIS BEST IMITATION OF A TRUMP CANDIDACY WITHOUT THE SPARKLE AND NOISE OF A TRUMP CANDIDACY, WHICH WAS BASED ON POSITIONS AND HIS CUTTING TAXES IN FLORIDA AND CHAMPIONING OF CHARTER SCHOOLS IN FLORIDA, HIS CHAMPIONING OF ANTI-ANTIABORTION MESSAGING.

HE TRIED TO BE TRUMP WITHOUT BEING TRUMP AND THE LANE DOESN'T APPEAR TO BE AVAILABLE.

>> Ted: WAS THAT LANE NARROWED EVEN FURTHER WITH ALL OF THE INDICTMENTS AGAINST TRUMP?

IT SEEMS LIKE THE INDICTMENTS ACCELERATED THE TRUMP CAMPAIGN AND KNOCKED DeSANTIS FOR A LOOP.

>> GO BACK TO WHO WE'RE TALKING ABOUT, THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY VOTER.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT 20% OF REPUBLICAN VOTERS WHO TURN OUT IN PRIMARIES AND SO IT IS A VERY NARROW GROUP AND THOSE PEOPLE ONLY GET MORE EXACERBATED WHEN YOU'RE ATTACKING THEIR MAN.

AND SO, IT CAUSES A RALLYING EFFECT AROUND THE PERCEIVED MARTYR OF THE FORMER PRESIDENT WHO NOW THEY WANT AS THEIR NOMINEE AGAIN.

>> Ted: WE HAVE A TWO-PERSON RACE.

WE HAVE N NIKKI HALEY AND DONALD TRUMP.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> NEW HAMPSHIRE IS A BETTER STATE FOR HALEY TO COMPETE IT.

THIS GIVES US A COMPETITIVE CHANCE.

NEW HAMPSHIRE HAS BEEN PERCEIVED AS A MORE POPULOUS STATE AND MORE FISCALLY CONSERVATIVE AND MORE NEW ENGLAND CONSERVATIVE.

AND SO, YOU KNOW, THERE'S A LANE.

THERE MAY BE A BETTER LANE HERE.

I STILL DON'T DISCERN IT, THOUGH.

AGAIN, WE'RE BACK ABOUT RUNNING AGAINST THE INCUMBENT PRESIDENT.

>> Ted: BUT YOU HAVE ONE AS OPPOSED TO A WHOLE GALLERY.

REPUBLICANS WHO DON'T LIKE TRUMP SAID KEEP IT TO ONE CANDIDATE AND WE HAVE A CHANCE.

DO THEY HAVE A CHANCE?

>> YES, I THINK THERE'S A CHANCE HERE.

I MEAN, I'VE HEARD EFFORTS TO GET A LOT MORE UNAFFILIATED VOTERS TO PARTICIPATE.

I'VE HEARD OF DEMOCRATS WHO AREN'T HAPPY ABOUT THE BIDEN CANDIDACY SWITCHING.

THIS WILL BE THE ONE OPPORTUNITY WHERE YOU GET SOMEBODY OTHER THAN BIDEN AND TRUMP TO VOTE AND IT MAY BE A SHORT-LIVED EXPERIENCE, BUT WE'LL FIND OUT IF NEW HAMPSHIRE VOTERS GET MOTIVATED.

>> Ted: HOW MUCH CAN SHE CRITICIZED DONALD TRUMP?

SHE'S RUNNING AGAINST HIM, BUT CAN SHE GET ALL GUNS BLARING HERE?

>> SHE HAS TO FIND A BAY AND WAY TO DO THAT.

SHE FOUND MORE FOOTING IN THE NARRATIVE OF HER CAMPAIGN AND SHARPENED THE ATTACK ON HE CAN'T WIN.

SHE'S USING HIS NARRATIVE AS MORE OF A BLUNT-FORCE INSTRUMENT AGAIN HIM.

AGAIN, WITH NEW HAMPSHIRE VOTERS THAT MAY BE A MORE RECEPTIVE AUDIENCE TO THAT.

BUT I'M NOT BUYING IT.

I STILL THINK HALEY WILL COME IN SECOND.

>> Ted: WHICH MEANS TRUMP WILL BE THE CANDIDATE.

LET'S GET A LITTLE EXTERM EXISTENTIAL HERE.

WHY HIS DONALD TRUMP WOWING AND CHARMING SO MANY CONSIDERING THE THINGS HE DID?

MITT ROMNEY IS OUT THERE AND I ALMOST FEEL BAD FOR THE GUY.

HE SAID I CAN'T SAY ONE THING WRONG WITHOUT BEING PILED ON AND THIS GUY SAYS ONE THING WRONG AND -- WHAT IS GOING ON?

>> IT'S NOT LONGER THE PARTY OF JOHN McCAIN.

IT'S DONALD TRUMP'S PARTY AND A NARROW CONSTITUENCY HE'S SPEAKING TO.

I DON'T DOUBT ANYTHING YOU JUST CHARACTERIZED AS A SIGNIFICANT REFLECTION OF THE REST OF THE ELECTELECTORATE OUT THERE.

NOBODY WANTS TO SEE A TRUMP, BIDEN CANDIDACY BUT THE SYSTEM WILL PRODUCE LIKELY THAT SAME RESULT AGAIN BECAUSE, AGAIN, IT GETS BACK TO, WHO TURNS OUT IN A REPUBLICAN PRIMARY?

IT'S 20% OF REPUBLICAN VOTERS.

IN IOWA, IT WAS 115,000 PEOPLE OUT OF 750,000 REPUBLICAN VOTERS.

IT'S LIKE RUNNING IN A CLOSET, YOU KNOW.

IT'S A CAMPAIGN IN A PHONE BOOTH.

IT'S NOT A REPRESENTATIVE SAMPLE OF THE AMERICAN ELECTORATE.

>> Ted: WITH THAT IN MIND, THE REPUBLICAN PARTY AS IT STANDS RIGHT NOW, IS IT A, THE PARTY OF TRUMP AND B, ONCE THIS IS OVER WITH, WHETHER HE WINS OR LOSES, ONCE THIS IS OVER WITH, HAS THE REPUBLICAN PARTY CHANGED FOREVER BECAUSE OF THIS ONE MAN?

>> FOREVER?

>> Ted: FORESEEABLE FUTURE.

>> YES, THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE, IT'S CAUGHT.

WE'VE SEEN THIS IN '18.

WE SAW THIS IN '20 IN ARIZONA AND WE SAW IT LOSE IN '20 AND '22.

I PERCEIVE THAT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN IN THIS CYCLE BECAUSE THE RULE -- AND THE OTHER THING WE SEE IS MORE AND MORE VOTERS ARE NOT IDENTIFYING WITH EITHER PARTY.

THEY'RE, LIKE, I'M DONE.

I'M NOT GOING TO PUT UP WITH THIS NONSENSE.

NOBODY IS TALKING TO ME ABOUT WHAT I WANT OR WHAT I PERCEIVE.

MY ELECTORAL PERSPECTIVE IS PEOPLE AREN'T DOING WHAT I WANT THEM TO DO.

AND SO, IT'S MORE AND MORE FRUSTRATION AND PEOPLE THROW UP THEIR HANDS, WHICH AGAIN, AUGMENTS THAT PARTISAN TURNOUT.

IT AUGMENTS THAT PARTY BEING SHIFTED FURTHER TO THE LEFT ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE AND FURTHER TO THE RIGHT ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE.

AND SO, IT'S NOT A SYSTEM THAT PRODUCES CHOICE ANYMORE.

UNFORTUNATELY, IT'S A PARTY CORONATION AND MORE AND MORE PEOPLE IN AMERICA AND IN ARIZONA TODAY AREN'T A MEMBER OF A PARTY.

>> Ted: IT MAKES FOR ALL BETS ARE OFF FOR WHAT WILL HAPPEN IN NOVEMBER.

>> YEAH.

I MEAN, I KEEP COMING BACK TO THE MATH,.

TED.

I KNOW ARIZONA WELL AND I PERCEIVE A MORE SIGNIFICANT PART OF THE ELECTORATE.

TO WIN A GENERAL ELECTION IN ARIZONA, I KNOW YOU HAVE TO WIN UNAFFILIATED VOTERS.

I DON'T SEE THAT CHANGING FROM THE TRUMP'S DEFEAT IN '18, '20 AND '22.

AS MUCH AS ARIZONANS DON'T WANT TO SEE JOE BIDEN, IF THEY SEE JOE BIDEN AND DONALD TRUMP, I BELIEVE THEY SHOW UP FOR BIDEN FOR THE REPRODUCTIVE RIGHT'S INITIATIVE AND HOPEFULLY FOR THE DEMOCRACY INITIATIVE ON THE BALLOT.

>> Ted: I KNOW YOU CHECKED THAT ONE IN.

[ Laughter ] >> BUT THERE WILL BE THINGS THERE THAT WILL APPEAL TO PEOPLE.

BY THEN, THE ECONOMY, I THINK, WILL BE IN BETTER SHAPE AND WE'LL HAVE AN INTEREST CUT RATE UNDERNEATH IT.

HOUSING WILL BE MORE AFFORDABLE.

I THINK THERE WILL BE THINGS THERE THAT WILL MITIGATE THE NEGATIVITY AROUND BIDEN.

>> Ted: CHUCK COUGHLIN, HIGHGROUND, ALWAYS A PLEASURE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Ted: THE ARIZONA MEDICAL SOCIETY WORKS TO REVAMP ITS MISSION.

>> GENOCIDE BEGINS LONG BEFORE THE KILLING TAKES PLACE.

>> THEY'RE FOREIGNERS.

>> BE A PART OF THIS NEW COMMUNITY OR DIE.

WHEN HUMAN RIGHT'S VIOLATION GOES UN CHALLENGED, IT'S A LESSON AUTHORITARIANS TAKE TO HEART.

>> WHO WILL DRAW THE LINE THAT THIS HAS TO STOP?

>> THIS IS ON ARIZONA PBS.

>> A SENIOR LEADER WAS KILLED IN BEIRUT.

>> THIS APPEARS AS A WIDEENING CONFLICT.

ON THE GROUND IN THE MIDDLE EAST.

>> THEY'RE ALL COVERED IN BULLETS AND FORCES ARE COMING HERE.

>> THIS IS TUESDAY NIGHT AT 9:00 ON ARIZONA PBS.

♪♪ >> I 'DO ENJOY VOLUNTEERING.

I LIKE TO THINK I HAVE MADE A DIFFERENCE.

THAT'S ENOUGH.

I DON'T NEED TO BE PAT ON PATTED ON THE BACK.

IT'S NOT A BIG GIFT BUT IT'S SOMETHING THAT WILL HELP THEM.

>> FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT INCLUDING ARIZONA PBS IN YOUR FUTURE PLANS, VISIT AZPBS.ORG/GIVING.

>> EVERY LITTLE BIT HELPS.

IF WE CAN DO A LITTLE BIT, WE HAVE DONE A GREAT SERVICE.

>> Ted: THE MARICOPA COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY IS THE OLDEST ASSOCIATION IN ARIZONA.

THE GROUP IS FOCUS ON THE OTHER HAND WHAT IS DESCRIBED AS A STRONG COLLECTIVE PHYSICIAN VOICE AND WORKING TO REIMAGINE TO SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE.

JOINING US NOW, CEO AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR,.

GIVE ME A DEFINITION OF THE MARICOPA COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY.

>> WE'RE THE OLDEST ASSOCIATION LEAD IN ARIZONA.

WE ARE THE BEACON WHEN IT CUPS TOCOMESTO HELPING WITH RESOURCES BUT ALSO WITH ADVOCACY AS WELL AS CME, THE CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION.

SO WE UNDERSTAND THAT THERE'S A PROFOUND BURDEN WHEN IT COMES TO HAVING TO GET ACCREDITATION OR HAVING TO CONTINUE ON IF REGARDS TO THE SPECIALTY.

WE WANT TO LESSEN THAT BURDEN BY PROVIDING FREE CME COURSES TO OUR PHYSICIANS.

>> Ted: A STRONG COLLECTIVE PHYSICIAN VOICE.

ARE PHYSICIAN VOICES NOT BEING HEARD?

>> SO PHYSICIANS, YOU KNOW, IN A LOT OF WAYS WAY, THE PROFESSION IS TOUGH, PROVIDING CARE AND HELPING OUT THE COMMUNITY AND SO, OUR GOAL IS TO UNITE ALL PHYSICIANS REGARDLESS OF SPECIALTY.

AND WE HELP TO SERVE AND SUPPORT OUR PHYSICIANS AND THEIR CAREER AND THEIR PRACTICE AS WELL AS OUR COMMUNITY SO PROVIDING SERVICES BOTH TO PHYSICIANS AND UNITING OUR COMMUNITY.

>> Ted: YOU MENTIONED CME, CONTINUING EDUCATIONS AND WHAT ARES ARE FIRST AND FOREMOST?

>> WHEN IT COMES TO?

>> ADVOCATING PHYSICIANS.

>> WE HAVE A PHYSICIAN BURNOUT AND WE'RE ADVOCATING WITH LOCAL PHYSICIANS AND LEADERS TO HELP US TO SUSTAIN THAT PHYSICIAN BURNOUT.

ONE WAY TO DO THAT IS WORKING WITH THE LEADERS IN THE COMMUNITY AND OUR LOCAL OFFICIALS THAT HAVE BEEN ELECTED AS WELL AS HOSPITALS AND UNIVERSITIES TO TRY TO COMBAT THAT ISSUE.

BECAUSE WE SEE THAT BY 2030, THERE WILL BE A SHORTAGE OF PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIANS AT THE TUNE OF TWO TWO THOUSAND AND RIGHT NOW, THERE'S 78 PHYSICIANS PER ONE THOUSAND.

WITH THE RATE ARIZONA IS GOING, THAT WILL LEAVE A HUGE DEFICIT IN THE COMING YEAR IF WE'RE UNABLE TO OBTAIN AND SUSTAIN PHYSICIANS HERE IN ARIZONA.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION.

>> Ted: RECRUITING AND RETAINING PHYSICIANS.

GIVE ME THE BEST ARGUMENT OF WHAT NEEDED TO BE NEEDS TO BE DONE.

>> THINGS WE'RE WORKING ON DOING IS HELPING TO ENGAGE OUR PHYSICIANS, BRING THEM TOGETHER, FRIDAY THEM EDUCATION, LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES, PRACTICE SUPPORT AND THEN OTHER THING THAT NEED TO BE DONE ACROSS THE STATE ARE MORE TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES.

WE'RE INCREASING THE NUMBER OF MEDICAL TOOLS IN IN ARIZONA.

WE NEED MORE RESIDENCY SPOTS AND WE NEED TO ENTICE PHYSICIANS TO STAY HERE WITH ADMINISTERED REIMBURSEMENT AND PHYSICIAN SUPPORT.

A LOT NEEDED TO BE DONE.

>> Ted: THAT'S A PART OF REIMAGINING THE SOCIETY IN.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE HAVE BEEN HERE OVER 130 YEARS AND WE UNDERSTAND HOW HEALTHCARE HAS EVOLVED.

EVEN THOUGH WE'RE FOCUSED, OF COURSE, ON PATIENT CARE WITHIN OUR WHAT'S, POSITION, WE NEED TO LOOK AT THE WELL-BEING BECAUSE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT MEDICAL.

WE KNOW FROM THE PANDEMIC, IT WAS ALREADY A STRAINED SYSTEM AND EXACERBATED POST-PANDEMIC.

WITH THE PHYSICIANS, WE WANT TO ENSURE THEY'RE THE BEST AND THEY CAN GIVE THE BEST QUALITY AND SERVICES TO THEIR PATIENTS THAT THEY SEE.

AND THEN, OF COURSE, IT GERMINATES THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY.

>> Ted: IS THAT WHAT YOU'RE SEEING FROM WHERE YOU SIT AND WHAT YOU'RE HEARING?

>> YES.

IT'S TOUGH, WHAT WE'RE DOING TO HELP OUR COMMUNITY AND PATIENTS AND WE'RE HERE TO SUPPORT AND SERVE OR PHYSICIAN COMMUNITY AND WE DO THAT IN MANY WAYS AND HOPEFULLY BY CONTINUE TO CONTINUING TO FIGHT FOR OUR PHYSICIANS, THEIR PERSONAL LIVES, SOCIAL LIVES, AS WELL AS THEIR PRACTICES AND THEN ALSO AT THE CAPITOL AND THE ADVOCACY TO HELP CREATE BETTER COMMUNITY IN OUR STATE FOR BOTH OUR PHYSICIANS AND OUR PATIENTS.

>> Ted: DR. JODIE WEISS AND DESIRAE HARGE, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

MOSTLY♪♪ ♪♪ >> TONIGHT ON UPDATE NEWS HOUR, WE REPORT FROM ON THE GROUND IN NEW HAMPSHIRE AHEAD OF THE REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY.

THAT'S COMING UP AT 6:00 ON ARIZONA PBS.

>> Ted: A STAGE ADAPTATION OF THE DIE REQUIRE OF ANNE FRANK OPENS IN SCOTTSDALE AND IT'S A COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE BRIDGE INITIATIVE AND CENTER OF THE ARTS.

JODIE WEISS, GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> Ted: THIS IS A SPECIAL PERFORMANCE AND THERE'S ONE PUBLIC PERFORMANCE, BUT THERE ARE OTHER PERFORMANCES.

WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?

>> WE HAVE ONE PUBLIC PERFORMANCE THIS COMING WEDNESDAY AT 2:00 P.M. AT THE SCOTTSDALE CENTER FOR THE ARTS.

ALL OF THE OTHER PERFORMANCES ARE FOUR OTHER ONES AND AT 10:00 A.M.

IN THE MORNING AND SPECIFICALLY FOR MIDDLE SCHOOLS.

AND WE BRING THOSE INTO THE THEATER AT SCOTTSDALE CENTER.

>> Ted: THIS IS A STAGE ADAPTATION AND THE SAME ONE THAT WON THE PULITZER PRIZE IN THE '50'S?

>> OFFYES.

>> Ted: CHILD PLAY, AND HOW DOES THAT HAPPEN?

>> IT'S A COPRODUCTION AND WE OFTEN DO MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL PRODUCTIONS AND IT'S NOT OUR BRED AND BREAD AND BUTTER.

IT'S PRIMARILY SIX YEARS OLD THROUGH 12.

AND WE ACTUALLY DO VERY INTENTIONAL POINTED PRODUCTIONS FOR HIGH SCHOOLS AND MIDDLE SCHOOLS AND THIS IS ONE AND WE HOPE THAT THIS WILL BE A RECURRING EVERY YEAR PRODUCTION WE DO AS PART OF THEIR CURRICULUM ON GENOCIDE.

>> WHAT >> Ted: WHAT IS THE BRIDGE INITIATIVE?

>> THE BRIDGE INITIATIVE IS A FEAR THAT WAS STARTED, OH, GOSH, MAYBE EIGHT TO TEN YEARS AGO NOW.

IT'S FEMALE CENT CENTRIC TO BRIDGE THE GAP OF PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT OFTEN PRIMARY EITHER PRODUCERS OR ACTORS OR DIRECTORS IN THEATER BEING WOMEN AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS.

>> Ted: YOU'RE THE DIRECTOR OF THIS PARTICULAR PERFORMANCE.

AS FAR AS DIRECTING THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK WHICH IS BASICALLY A JOURNAL, HOW DOES THAT TRANSLATE TO THE STAGE AND WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES FOR A DIRECTOR?

>> IT'S AN ABSOLUTE STUNNING STORY.

AGAIN FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF ANNED SHE DIDN'T LIVE THROUGH THE HOLOCAUST BUT HER FAMILY WERE TUCKED AWAY AND HIDDEN IN AN ANNEX, OR WHAT SEE CALLED A SECRET ANNEX AND THEY HID THERE FOR TWO YEARS FROM THE NAZIS IN HOPES OF SURVIVING THE HOLOCAUST.

>> Ted: SO THAT'S THE STORY, BUT TRANSLATING THAT TO THE STAGE AS THE DIRECTOR, ARE THERE DIFFICULTIES?

ARE THERE THINGS YOU HAVE TO WORK THROUGH?

>> THERE ARE A LOT OF DIFFICULTIES AND ONE IS CAPTURING THAT CLOSENESS, THAT TINY PLACE WHERE TWO FULL FAMILIES AND ANOTHER PERSON WHO JOINS THEM AND THE CRAMPEDNESS THAT WAS THERE AND THE DIFFICULTY OF GOING THROUGH WINTERS IN THIS ATTIC, BASICALLY, AND TRYING TO GET FOOD THERE AND ANY TYPES OF THINGS THAT THEY NEEDED.

AND YES, IN TRYING TO CAPTURE THAT AND BEING TRUE TO THIS CHILD'S STORY THAT SHE WROTE AND TRYING TO GET THAT ACROSS, ESPECIALLY TO MIDDLE SCHOOLERS WHO PROBABLY KNOW VERY LITTLE ABOUT IT AT THIS POINT.

>> Ted: BECAUSE READING THE WORDS, YOUR MIND SHOWS YOU WHAT'S GOING ON BUT WITH THE STAGE PRODUCTION, WE GET TO SEE WHAT'S GOING ON.

>> WE GET TO SEE.

>> Ted: YOU HAVE TO SEE WHAT THAT MIND IS TELLING YOU IS TRANSFERRING TO.

AND YOU'RE A PERFORMER, AS WELL.

>> I AM.

>> Ted: SO DOES THAT HELP YOU DIRECT?

>> I THINK ACTORS ARE THE BEST DIRECTORS BECAUSE WE'VE BEEN THROUGH THE PROCESS AND WE UNDERSTAND THE NEEDS OF THE ACTORS AND WHAT WE NEED TO DO, HOPEFULLY TO GIVE THEM THE BEST PERFORMANCE.

>> Ted: FOR CHILD'S PLAY, HOW DIFFERENT IS IT THAN ANOTHER THEATER TROUPE THAT'S DOING SHAKESPEARE OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT?

>> FIRST OF ALL, WE'VE BEEN AROUND FOR 45 YEARS, WHICH IS AMAZING, AND WE'RE ALL ADULT ACTORS, DIRECTORS AND DESIGNERS.

BUT OUR CHOSEN AUDIENCE ARE SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES AND WE TAKE THAT VERY SERIOUSLY AND WE WHOLE-HEARTEDLY BELIEVE THAT YOUNG PEOPLE NEED PROFESSIONAL THEATER DONE WITH THE RESPECT THAT THEY DESERVE.

>> Ted: INDEED.

SO LAST QUESTION, WHAT DO YOU WANT YOUR AUDIENCE TO TAKE FROM ALL OF THE PERFORMANCES, THE PUBLIC PERFORMANCES AND MIDDLE SCHOOL KIDS?

>> I THINK THE TWO THINGS THAT I AS A DIRECTOR CHOSE TO FOCUS ON IN THIS PRODUCTION IS THE FACT THAT ANNA WAS 13 TO 16 AND THAT SHE WAS GROWING UP IN THIS LITTLE TINY SPACE WITH THESE PEOPLE AND COMING OF AGE AND LETTING THOSE MIDDLE SCHOOLERS WHO ARE GOING TO SEE THE PRODUCTION REALLY RELATE TO HER.

THE OTHER ONE IS THE EVER PRESENT DANGER OF THIS HAPPENING RECENTLY, NOW AND RIGHT NOW IN OUR COUNTRY, UNFORTUNATELY, OR IN THE WORLD, RATHER.

IT'S HAPPENING AND YEAH, IT'S SCARRY.

AND WE NEED TO BE REALLY AWARE OF IT.

>> Ted: JODIE WEISS OF CHILD'S PLAY, BEST OF LUCK ON THE PRODUCTION.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> Ted: THAT'S IT FOR NOW AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

YOU HAVE A GREAT EVENING!