Audio By Carbonatix
When we last put the spotlight on 100 creative forces in Phoenix, it was no secret there were more than 100 individuals who were making waves in the local arts community. So as we count down to our annual Best of Phoenix issue, we’re profiling 100 more. Welcome (back) to 100 Creatives.
Andrea Beesley hails from a land Down Under (New Zealand), but she’s lived in the Valley for 11 years. She’s a film enthusiast and is most known for hosting and programming film events in the Valley under the name Midnite Movie Mamacita.
Her latest project is managing and creating The Dr. Diabolic Show with her fiancé Jeremiah Wilkerson. When not on screen and stage as Nurse Narcotica (taking a break from that role to take care of our newborn son), She’s coordinating live events, including a Variety Show at the Phoenix Art Museum and a Live Show at FilmBar.
I came to Phoenix with … a High School Foreign Exchange Program, where I attended Mesa High for a semester in 1997. I then returned to the Valley in 2000 to reconnect with friends and have been here pretty much since.
I make art because … I love b-movies; they are my favorite form of art. I wanted to share that love with others, so I created Midnite Movie Mamacita and now The Dr. Diabolic Show (with Jeremiah). I’m compelled to do something creative and doing these projects, I satisfy that urge and simultaneously get to share my passion with others. Being able to entertain and connect the community through live events and film is truly rewarding.
I’m most productive when … It’s morning and our son is napping. Getting stuff done in between naps and feeding is a new reality, but totally worth it. Also it helps to have an 80s slasher film playing on the telly, I’m on a Summer Camp Horror flick-kick right now…
See also: Andrea Beesley’s Six Films Pregnant Women Should Never, Ever Watch
My inspiration wall is full of … lobby cards, photos and posters from my favorite films, photos of friends, concert tickets, physical reminders of awesome experiences and memories. I love collecting film memorabilia so I always deck out my work space with as many collectibles as possible.
I’ve learned the most from … amazing mentors that I’ve had along the way. Jason Carney who is the Executive Director of the Phoenix Film Foundation, we have worked together for the past 5 years doing the International Horror & Sci Fi Film Festival and Phoenix Film Festival. And Joe Boudrie from the Phoenix Comicon, they both taught me how to take a creative vision and turn it in to an organized and successful event. I’ve also had a lot of trial and error over the years and listening to feedback from patrons has always been priceless.
See also: Midnite Movie Mamacita, aka Andrea Beesley-Brown, Leaves Madcap Theatres To Create Own Cinema House
Good work should always … be entertaining. Help people escape reality for a minute and let them experience something other than the daily grind. Make people feel good and engage the community.
The Phoenix creative scene could use more … Support from the general public. There are so many amazing, creative and hard working people out there really trying to make a difference in the cultural landscape of our City. People need to support independents and shop local. Forget the multiplexes and chains, get out there and support your neighbors. Volunteer and actively participate in the community!
The Creatives, so far … (And while you’re here, check out 100 Tastemakers on Chow Bella.)
100:Lara Plecas
99. Isaac Caruso
98. Brandon Gore
97. Kelsey Dake
96. Hector Ruiz
95. Caroline Battle
94: Jennifer Campbell
93. Jeff Chabot
92. Tiffiney Yazzie
91. Daniel Germani
90. Irma Sanchez
89. Daniel m. Davis
88. Kirstin Van Cleef
87. Emmett Potter
86. Sarah Hurwitz
85. Christine Cassano
84. Fred Tieken
83. Lindsay Kinkade
82. Ruben Galicia
81. Robert Uribe
80. Heidi Abrahamson
79. Josephine Davis
78. Travis Ladue
77. Taz Loomans
76. Mikey Jackson
75. Alex Empty
74. Joe Ray
73. Carol Roque
72. Daniel Funkhouser
71. Carla Chavarria
70. Hugo Medina
69. Cavin Costello
68. Claire Carter
67. Lindsay Tingstrom
66. Catherine Ruane
65. Christopher Crosby
64. Aaron Johnson
63. Brenda Eden
62. Colton Brock
61. Ernesto Moncada
60. Benjamin Phillips
59. Brad Armstrong
58. Angela Hardison
57. Tyler Quinn
56. Andrew James Benson
55. Charles Anthony Darr
54: Tiffe Fermaint
53. Eric Cox
52. Victor Vasquez
51. John Randall Nelson
50. Lauren Lee
49. Kyle Jordre
48. Julie C. Kent
47. Sean Deckert
46. Niba DelCastillo
45. Joseph Benesh
44. Ashley Harder
43. Dan Vermillion
42. Daniel Shepherd
41. James B. Hunt
40. Lori Fenn
39. Seth Gideon Fainkujen
38. Wayne Rainey
37. Christian Filardo
36. Melissa Cody
35. Jason Rudolph Peña
34. Cindy Iverson
33. Ryan Gentry
32. Sebastien Millon
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