The Southwest Ensemble Theatre was formed in Phoenix, Arizona in 1971 as a non-profit corporation in the State of Arizona.
Phoenix is the capital and most populous city of the state of Arizona, with 1,626,078 people. It is the fifth most populous city nationwide, the most populous state capital in the United States, and the only state capital with a population of more than one million residents.
The founding members were Robert L. Johnson, Producing Director and Keith A. Anderson, Artistic Director. The first production for what became known as S.E.T., was the world premiere of "The Last Pad" by playwright William Inge in March 1972. Robert L. Johnson produced the production while Keith A. Anderson (Lionel Keith) directed. Included in the original cast were Nick Nolte, Jim Matz and Dick Elmer (Richard Elmore). The play opened at the Kerr Studios in Scottsdale and then moved to the Unitarian Church in Phoenix as the Kerr was not available for an extended run. "The Last Pad" was awarded the "Best Play" by The Arizona Republic for 1972. Southwest Ensemble Theatre operated for several years in various locations including The Phoenix Theatre Center, but after moving into the new Scottsdale Center For The Arts, they closed before the end of their first season in the new venue.
William Motter Inge was an American playwright and novelist, whose works typically feature solitary protagonists encumbered with strained sexual relations. In the early 1950s, he had a string of memorable Broadway productions, including Picnic, which earned him a Pulitzer Prize. With his portraits of small-town life and settings rooted in the American heartland, Inge became known as the "Playwright of the Midwest."
Nicholas King Nolte is an American actor, producer, author, and former model. He won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama, and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor for the 1991 film The Prince of Tides. He went on to receive Academy Award nominations for Affliction (1998) and Warrior (2011). His other film appearances include The Deep (1977), Who'll Stop The Rain (1978), North Dallas Forty (1979), 48 Hrs. (1982), Teachers (1984), Down and Out in Beverly Hills (1986), Another 48 Hrs. (1990), Everybody Wins (1990), Cape Fear (1991), Lorenzo's Oil (1992), The Thin Red Line (1998), The Good Thief (2002), Hulk (2003), Hotel Rwanda (2004), Tropic Thunder (2008), and A Walk in the Woods (2015). He was also nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Television Series Musical or Comedy for his role in the TV series Graves.
The Arizona Republic is an American daily newspaper published in Phoenix. Circulated throughout Arizona, it is the state's largest newspaper. Since 2000, it has been owned by the Gannett newspaper chain.
S.E.T. made an effort to reorganize and start again, but like many small theatres suffered under increased expenses and dwindling audiences and finally closed permanently by 1980. Keith Anderson currently directs theatre in San Diego. Robert L. Johnson went on to act and direct as well as manage convention and performing arts centers in Arizona, Utah and Iowa. Johnson presently directs and produce in Phoenix, while preparing a Broadway revival of a vintage comedy in partnership with The Theatre Guild in New York City, scheduled for 2013.
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