Arizona Theatre Company opens its new season in Phoenix this weekend with the drama "The Royale," a story of boxing and race and American culture set in the early 20th century.

It marks the first show in the ATC career of artistic director Sean Daniels, who grew up in the area. The company has consistently produced high-quality theater, but ran into financial challenges following the Great Recession and had some instability in the front office. Daniels is aiming to do what he can to fix that.

The Show caught up with him while he was in New York City for his own off-Broadway play, "The White Chip," asking what the first few months with Arizona Theatre Company have been like.

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