Theatre Tulsa started as a small community theatre that played shows in a tent, and grew to the largest community theatre in the nation in the 1970s, followed by years of decline and a recent re-invigoration that includes the new creation of a Broadway Series main stage season, a Next Stage series season composed of new works, and a Family Series season for children, families, and arts education programming.
Despite the Great Depression, the group managed to raise money to build a theater which was christened with a performance of The Cradle Song in February 1932.
During World War II, it produced shows for military camps and veterans’ hospitals.
By 1972 it had the largest community theater membership in the nation and had counted 1.5 million members over the past 50 years.
Some noted performers, including Jeanne Tripplehorn, Kristin Chenoweth and Sam Harris, received their first stage experience with Theatre Tulsa.