Los Angeles Times coverage of Hero Theatre's, "Festival Irene."
Our Mission
Alfred Loera of Carpenters Union Local 1506 attended our production of Waiting for Lefty. Presented free-of-charge to labor union members throughout Southern California.
HERO Theatre provides a way for audiences to see America through a different lens.
At HERO Theatre, we present classical plays and new works. We seek to use art to model and bring about social progress.
Stories on our stage mirror America today. We examine classical and contemporary works, ensuring that equity, diversity and inclusion remain in the forefront.
We challenge the traditional definition of classics. What will future generations call a classic? We define future classics as those that have a lasting impact on audiences, help shape a better society and reflect our nation today.
We produce work that reflects, uplifts and invites marginalized communities.
Hero Theatre welcomes many first-time theatregoers to our plays by providing free to low cost admission. Granting access to all.
With our newly formed SoCal Latinx Artists Lab, we provide a platform for Latinx artists to use theatre to explore race, culture and identity. Audiences in attendance are given the opportunity to experience a different, yet important kind of American story.
We champion work that we feel is relevant. In our production of Tea, audiences hear the experiences of Japanese war brides living in the United States after WWII. Tea is a story of immigration and an inspiring tale of overcoming prejudice and hardship. Written 30 years ago by Japanese-American playwright Velina Hasu Houston, Tea stands as a vital addition to the American cannon.
Our play-commissioning project, Our America provides women and playwrights of color the opportunity to explore real stories of cities in America undergoing socio-economic change.
Hero Theatre invests and believes in the next generation of audiences and theatremakers.
HERO Ignite, a new division at HERO Theatre, serves as an incubator for new works created, and inspired by, the millennial generation.
Our rigorous Mentorship Program provides students from local universities, historical black colleges, in addition to early-career artists, an opportunity to learn from theatre practitioners in the field. Many of our mentorship program alumni have secured leadership and acting positions at HERO Theatre and beyond.
We give back.
With projects such as The Super Sabado Show, we were able to raise money to help families in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico who were affected by Hurricane Maria. With Festival Irene, we raised money for playwright Maria Irene Fornés, who was suffering from Alzheimer's at the time. With our upcoming production of Troy, we are donating a portion of the proceeds to women living in domestic violence and homeless shelters.
Hero Theatre. Building a better society by championing voices that need to be heard. Now.
"Hero Theatre is everything a theatre should be. Inclusive to everyone dedicated to world class work.
A place where a young talented artist can learn and work with seasoned professionals.
It should be supported by everyone who believes in the future of the American theatre." - Eduardo Machado, Playwright
A place where a young talented artist can learn and work with seasoned professionals.
It should be supported by everyone who believes in the future of the American theatre." - Eduardo Machado, Playwright
Our History
Olympia Dukakis & Elisa Bocanegra
The inspiration for HERO Theatre came about backstage in the wings of the Laura Pels Theatre, during the Roundabout Theatre Company's production of "The Milk Train Doesn't Stop Here Anymore." The show's star Olympia Dukakis turned to cast-mate Elisa Bocanegra and asked, "Why do you look so sad all the time?"
Bocanegra confided in Dukakis that she was saddened by the lack of equity and inclusion in theater. "There are so many actors of color and women in need of opportunity," responded Bocanegra. She was also disappointed that many of her friends who wanted to do more classics were up against a wall because they didn't have the resources to go to graduate school.
Bocanegra continued, "I just wish we had a place where we can all work together. Actors who are well trained can learn from actors who came up in the day where you just struggled. When life experience and hitting the pavement equaled an MFA. A place where my white friends can work alongside the Puerto Rican actors that I grew up doing community theatre with in the Bronx. There is so much to learn from one another." Dukakis replied, "Elisa it's time for you to hustle and start your own company. A place where you can grow and help others like you." Shortly after, HERO Theatre was born. The company started with a benefit reading of Chekhov's "Three Sisters" directed by Obie-award winner Lisa Peterson. Olympia Dukakis hosted the event and still leads the company's Advisory Board.
Bocanegra confided in Dukakis that she was saddened by the lack of equity and inclusion in theater. "There are so many actors of color and women in need of opportunity," responded Bocanegra. She was also disappointed that many of her friends who wanted to do more classics were up against a wall because they didn't have the resources to go to graduate school.
Bocanegra continued, "I just wish we had a place where we can all work together. Actors who are well trained can learn from actors who came up in the day where you just struggled. When life experience and hitting the pavement equaled an MFA. A place where my white friends can work alongside the Puerto Rican actors that I grew up doing community theatre with in the Bronx. There is so much to learn from one another." Dukakis replied, "Elisa it's time for you to hustle and start your own company. A place where you can grow and help others like you." Shortly after, HERO Theatre was born. The company started with a benefit reading of Chekhov's "Three Sisters" directed by Obie-award winner Lisa Peterson. Olympia Dukakis hosted the event and still leads the company's Advisory Board.
ARTISTS
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Artists that have worked with HERO include William H. Macy, Olympia Dukakis, Adam Rodriguez, Joe Manganiello, Justina Machado, Stephanie Beatriz, Ivonne Coll, Jeanine Mason, Isabella Gomez, Austin Pendleton, Zach Villa, James Martinez, Lynn Cohen, Brent Jennings, John Frank Levey and Omar Metwally. Some of the most beloved writers in America have contributed their work to HERO including Pulitzer-winner Quiara Alegria Hudes, Colman Domingo, Larry Charles, Jennifer Haley, Annie Weisman, Migdalia Cruz and Eduardo Machado.
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Ivonne Coll & Justina Machado
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MEET OUR FOUNDER
Elisa Bocanegra
Our Producing Artistic Director, Elisa Bocanegra founded HERO Theatre in August 2011 at the suggestion of her colleague, Academy Award-winner Olympia Dukakis. Elisa was the inaugural recipient of the Paul Nicholson Arts Management Fellowship at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in 2015. Most recently, she was the recipient of TCG's Leadership U grant which provided her the opportunity to be part of the Leadership Team at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Recent directing credits include The Floating Island Plays by Eduardo Machado, Blade to the Heat by Oliver Mayer and University of Southern California's MFA Thesis Project at The Pasadena Playhouse.
As an actor she has performed at many theatres including the Goodman Theatre, Roundabout Theatre Company, South Coast Rep, Mark Taper Forum/Center Theatre Group, Hartford Stage, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, The Williamstown Theatre Festival and the national tour of "Steel Magnolias." Her film debut was in the Sundance Film Festival winner, "Girlfight" starring Michelle Rodriguez and directed by Karyn Kusama. Recently, Elisa returned to television guest starring on Showtime's "Shameless". She also played YouTube sensation Lele Pons' mean boss in a comedy short inspired by "The Devil Wears Prada."
As an actor she has performed at many theatres including the Goodman Theatre, Roundabout Theatre Company, South Coast Rep, Mark Taper Forum/Center Theatre Group, Hartford Stage, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, The Williamstown Theatre Festival and the national tour of "Steel Magnolias." Her film debut was in the Sundance Film Festival winner, "Girlfight" starring Michelle Rodriguez and directed by Karyn Kusama. Recently, Elisa returned to television guest starring on Showtime's "Shameless". She also played YouTube sensation Lele Pons' mean boss in a comedy short inspired by "The Devil Wears Prada."