Los Angeles Times coverage of HERO Theatre's, "Festival Irene."
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 Mission
Photo from our production of TEA. Taken by Jenny Graham.
HERO Theatre invites audiences to envision and experience America as we do.
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 at the forefront.
Since our beginning in 2011, we have challenged 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 and uplifts underrepresented voices.
HERO Theatre welcomes many first-time theatergoers to our plays by providing free to low cost admission. Granting access to all.
We champion work that we feel is relevant. Our new environmental justice multimedia project, Nuestro Planeta, is a new work commissioning and development initiative. Our goal is to bring environmental awareness to vulnerable Latine communities who now find themselves at the epicenter of the climate crisis.
HERO Theatre's first new play-commissioning project, Our America, continues to provide women and playwrights of color the opportunity to explore real stories of cities in America undergoing socio-economic change. Our last play commissioned under this initiative was Nothing, Nothing - an adaptation of Shakespeare's Much Ado set in a historic Black church in Los Angeles, written by Amina Henry.
With our production of Tea, audiences witnessed the story of immigration and an inspiring tale of overcoming prejudice and hardship. Presented during Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage month, Tea was written 30 years ago by playwright Velina Hasu Houston. We believeTea stands as a vital addition to the American canon.
HERO Theatre invests and believes in the next generation of audiences and theatermakers.
HERO Ignite, a new division at HERO Theatre, serves as an incubator for new works inspired by stories of young people in America today. Our distinctive Mentorship Program provides students from local universities and historical black colleges 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 Festival Irene, we launched a movement to claim playwright María Irene Fornés' rightful place in the classic American canon. Proceeds from the festival aided Fornés who was suffering from Alzheimer's at the time. With our production of Troy, we donated a portion of the proceeds to women living in domestic violence and homeless shelters. 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.
HERO Theatre. Building a better society by championing voices that need to be heard. Now.
In 2023, we presented the world premiere of Amina Henry's play NOTHING, NOTHING thanks to support from The National Endowment for the Arts and
The California Arts Council.
Alfred Loera of Carpenters Union Local 1506 at our production of WAITING FOR LEFTY. Presented free-of-charge to labor union members throughout Southern California.
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​Residents of The Downtown Women's Center attend our production of TROY. Through grassroots fundraising efforts, HERO was able to provide free admission tickets and private roundtrip transportation to DWC residents.
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THEY BELIEVE IN HERO
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Special guest artists that have worked with HERO include Stephanie Beatriz, Ivonne Coll, Olympia Dukakis, Isabella Gomez, Brent Jennings, John Frank Levey, Justina Machado, William H. Macy, Joe Manganiello, Jeanine Mason, James Martinez, Omar Metwally, Austin Pendleton, Adam Rodriguez, Danielle Moné Truitt, Zach Villa. Some of the most beloved writers in America have contributed their work to HERO including Larry Charles, Migdalia Cruz , Colman Domingo, Jennifer Haley, Pulitzer-winner Quiara Alegria Hudés, Eduardo Machado, and Annie Weisman. |
Click above to see our new celebrity
"I believe in HERO" video starring Annette Bening! |
