Los Angeles Times coverage of Hero Theatre's, "Festival Irene."
Our Mission
Company member Adam Rodriguez with Elisa Bocanegra
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.
Do the stories on our stage mirror America today? We examine classical and contemporary works, ensuring that equity, diversity and inclusion remain in the forefront.
At HERO Theatre, we challenge the traditional definition of classics. What will future generations call a classic?
We produce work that reflects, uplifts and invites marginalized communities.
We provide our audiences the opportunity to see their stories reflected on our stage. By doing this, we welcome many first-time theatregoers to our plays by providing free to low cost admission.
With our new SoCal Latinx Artists Lab, we provide a platform for Latinx artists to use theatre to explore race, culture and identity. Audiences in attendance receive a revelatory opportunity to experience America differently.
Our new play-commissioning project, Our America, provides playwrights of color the opportunity to explore real stories of cities in America undergoing socio-economic change.
Investing and believing 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 champions voices that need to be heard. Now.
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.
Do the stories on our stage mirror America today? We examine classical and contemporary works, ensuring that equity, diversity and inclusion remain in the forefront.
At HERO Theatre, we challenge the traditional definition of classics. What will future generations call a classic?
We produce work that reflects, uplifts and invites marginalized communities.
We provide our audiences the opportunity to see their stories reflected on our stage. By doing this, we welcome many first-time theatregoers to our plays by providing free to low cost admission.
With our new SoCal Latinx Artists Lab, we provide a platform for Latinx artists to use theatre to explore race, culture and identity. Audiences in attendance receive a revelatory opportunity to experience America differently.
Our new play-commissioning project, Our America, provides playwrights of color the opportunity to explore real stories of cities in America undergoing socio-economic change.
Investing and believing 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 champions voices that need to be heard. Now.
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 and Migdalia Cruz.
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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.
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 and the Williamstown Theatre Festival. Her film debut was in the Sundance Film Festival winner, "Girlfight" starring Michelle Rodriguez and directed by Karyn Kusama. Most recently, Elisa starred in the national tour of "Steel Magnolias." and worked with YouTube sensation Lele Pons in a comedy short inspired by "The Devil Wears Prada."