Tulsa’s first professional theater company for young audiences to debut in July
Redbud Theatre for Young Audiences will launch with four performances of The Biggest Little House in the Forest, including three free shows sponsored by Tulsa City-County Library for children ages 2 to 6.
Tulsa will soon become home to its first professional theater company dedicated exclusively to young children when Redbud Theatre for Young Audiences debuts its inaugural production, The Biggest Little House in the Forest, this month.
The new company will launch with four performances of the 45-minute production, including three free community shows sponsored by the Tulsa City-County Library at Hardesty Regional Library and Central Library on July 15 and 16. No tickets or registration are required for the library performances.
A ticketed premiere will take place at 4 p.m. Saturday, July 11, at the LIFE Senior Services Roma Berry Center for Seniors. Designed as a grandparent-and-grandchild experience, the event includes a post-show photo opportunity with the cast and puppets.
Founded by Dani Keil, Redbud Theatre for Young Audiences was created to provide professional, developmentally appropriate live theater for children ages 2 to 6 and their families.
“Children deserve quality theatre, storytelling that invites them into the experience and respects their complex feelings and limitless curiosity,” Keil said. “We can’t wait to welcome the littlest audience with the biggest imaginations to experience Redbud’s first show.”
Based on the children’s picture book by Djemma Bider, The Biggest Little House in the Forest was adapted for the stage by Rosanna Staffa, with music by Victor Zupanc. The story follows a butterfly who discovers a tiny house in the forest that gradually becomes home to an ever-growing group of woodland friends.
The production combines live music and puppetry and was originally staged by Children’s Theatre Company, one of the nation’s leading children’s theater organizations.
The Tulsa production stars Alexandra Johnson, a member of the Tulsa Opera. Scenic design is by Kimberly V. Powers, while costumes for both the performer and puppets were co-designed by Carmen Gilbert and Randy Blair.
Keil said the production is intentionally designed around the attention spans of toddlers and preschoolers, running about 45 minutes without an intermission.
“The puppets are such memorable characters and a magical part of this play,” Keil said. “The audience will meet and fall in love with Bernice the Butterfly, Millie the Mouse, Fred the Frog and more friends.”
Angela Fox, youth services specialist and sponsorship coordinator for the Tulsa City-County Library, said the partnership reflects the library’s commitment to expanding access to arts programming for families.
“Tulsa City-County Library is thrilled to partner with Redbud Theatre for Young Audiences to bring this kind of high-quality, free programming to families across our branches,” Fox said. “Live theatre opens up a child’s imagination in ways that are hard to replicate, and we’re proud to help make that experience accessible to every family in our community.”
Redbud Theatre for Young Audiences takes its name from Oklahoma’s state tree and was founded on the belief that every child should have access to professional live theater, regardless of income or ZIP code.
The July performance schedule includes:
Saturday, July 11, 4 p.m. — Ticketed premiere at LIFE Senior Services Roma Berry Center for Seniors, 4821 S. 72nd E. Ave. Tickets are $25, with discounted admission available for Roma Berry members.
Wednesday, July 15, 11:30 a.m. — Free performance at Hardesty Regional Library’s Connors Cove.
Wednesday, July 15, 2 p.m. — Free performance at Hardesty Regional Library’s Connors Cove.
Thursday, July 16, 10 a.m. — Free performance at Central Library in downtown Tulsa.
Families can learn more about performances and future productions through Redbud Theatre for Young Audiences.