HELLER THEATER
Heller Theatre Web Page
This season, Heller Theatre celebrates its twenty fifth year. In August of 1981, Heller Theatre first opened its artistic doors and in October presented it’s first production, Falling in Love With Love. Ken Spence was the first director of the program. Established in part as a youth theatre program in a partnership with Theater Tulsa, Heller has since established it’s own identity as a leading producer in Tulsa theatre of original and contemporary material.An entity of the Parks and Recreation Department of the City of Tulsa, Heller is the smallest building in the department, housing a very intimate, 50-seat black box stage. One of two programs in the department, Heller strives in it’s mission to provide diverse educational and cultural experiences through both its productions and its programming.Currently under the direction of Julie Tattershall, Heller offers many different opportunities in its programming. Julie began a ‘New Plays’ series in 1990, a tradition that currently continues in production. Julie also began Tulsa’s first regular performing improvisational troupe, The Laughing Matter Improv, who, after fifteen years, still performs monthly to packed crowds.Along with her partners, Frank Gallagher and Devin Meadows, they head an education program that includes classes in improvisation for all ages, acting, acting methods, technical theatre, playwriting, and direction.
During the summer months, Heller turns into a full-time theatre camp for children ages 6-12 interested in learning the basics of production and performance. As for production, Heller has a long-established reputation for quality contemporary and often cutting-edge material. In it’s last season, Heller was praised by the Tulsa World newspaper on several productions and placed two shows in the ‘Top Ten Year-End Review’. Heller theatre was named the OCTA "Theatre of the Year" for 2005.
Heller Theatre: ugly building, great theatre. |
