THE MIDWESTERN THEATER TROUPE
The Midwestern Theater Troupe has focused on exploring cultural archetypes through theatrical performance. We feel that these archetypes make up the foundation of our thoughts as a society, that the tale is more powerful than the sermon, that a simple good story supercedes the most advanced system of philosophy.
We've examined the lore of the Ozark hill country and the mystical mantras of ancient Egypt; listened to the speeches of biblical prophets, devils disguised as itinerant salesmen, and raving mad pharaohs, scarecrows, and thieves. We've visited Jack Frost and the Devil's pretty daughter, cannibal kings and oversexed queens, eavesdropped on fairies and specters. Learned Pharisees have debated with lewd court jesters, and mechanical men have fallen in love with voodoo dolls.
Our troupe is dedicated to helping create a viable theater community in Tulsa, one that is creative, aggressive, enterprising, inventive, and most of all, unique. We're working hard towards that goal, and we appreciate the support we've received from our city.
the start of it all
The Midwestern Theater Troupe was founded to produce original plays. The first production, Baby, of Abbaddon Mountain , opened on June 23, 1995 at the A.D.A.M.S. Theater (a.k.a. Tulsa Little Theater, Delaware Playhouse, Avondale Studio) at 15th and Delaware Place. The troupe used its own resources and manpower to clean and revive the building for its debut performance.
The A.D.A.M.S. also hosted the troupe's second show, Jack Frost and the Devil's Pretty Daughter on October 20, 1995. The A.D.A.M.S. closed its doors shortly thereafter,and finding an affordable rehearsal and performance space became a major challenge. The troupe rehearsed in one public library after another, sometimes practicing in a cast member's living room.
Play number three, Deep in the Dream Nettles , was mounted at the Center for the Physically Limited. The troupe then found a more permanent home at the Springdale Community Center which hosted the next three performances: Pharaoh's Hymn, The Baptist Submerged, and The Song of Frost. From June 1997 to July 1998, the troupe enjoyed the luxury of a space of their own. The playwright joined the community center board of directors, and The Midwestern Theater Troupe joined forces temporarily with the Wayward Theater Troupe, which was also using the Springdale. Having a reliable base of operations was enormously liberating. The troupe began to experiment with rod and shadow puppets, masks, and more diverse media. The secure and dependable studio space allowed the troupe's expertise to develop to a much greater degree.
The benefits, in fact, were so compelling that the troupe went on performance hiatus for a year (1998) to concentrate on accumulating funds for their own studio theater. In December of 1999, the troupe made a one-year rental payment on the building that has become its new baby, the Nightingale Theater. The theater in itself has become their major focus and its success their long-term goal.
The first Midwestern Theater Troupe production at the Nightingale, Romolo the Great was hailed by the Tulsa World as a "wild, rule-breaking production" which allows the actors to "perform as if they'd been unshackled and granted a kind of freedom." The Troupe has used this freedom to create and produce numerous original productions, perform Shakespeare yearly, and play host to countless artists from across the nation.