When Joseph S. Jarvis became head of Mesa Parks and Recreation Department in 1937, his desire was "to make Mesa a beautiful place for all to live". Recognizing the need for a community recreational and cultural program, one of his first orders of business was to start a theatre group. From its humble beginnings on a school stage, to loading flats and properties on a truck and traveling to performance locations, MET has remained a part of Mesa's cultural experience for over 75 years.