The Spotlight Theater

The Spotlight Theater is a unique building overlooking the Arkansas River. Located on 1381 Riverside Drive in Tulsa, it is surrounded by beautiful plants, bushes and flowers. The plants around the building aren’t the only thing guests notice because the windows are eye catching and hard to ignore. There is a big, round window in the center that gives the old building a modern and futuristic touch. On each side of the building, there are four, small, rectangular windows that are supposed to represent piano keys. The theater is humble with no flashy lights or big signs on it. The outside white paint is laid back and neutral and contrasts with the green of plants around the building.
Stepping inside the lobby, a rush of blue fills the room. This is where all the guests mingle before the show. They can grab a soda or a bag of chips from the concession stand. They can reserve and buy tickets from the office. Guests can also go up the lobby’s grand staircase that will take them to the place where all the magic happens: the auditorium.
The auditorium is small with dimed lights. However, the stage in the middle of the auditorium is well lit. A red curtain is pulled down on the stage hiding what’s going on behind it. Backstage, you can hear the bustling noise of the crew and actors getting ready. The curtain rises and the legacy of great family entertainment continues for the Spotlight Theater.
It is a highly renowned theatre that has been recognized by the media and people of Tulsa. Its family oriented plays and historic building attracts many people from around the world. It has been ranked as Tulsa’s Best Children’s Theater two years in a row. Its recent showing of the children’s play, Alice in Wonderland, set a personal record for the theater for the most attendance. Larry Stockard, president of the theater, said, “The Theater has entertained nearly a quarter million people over the last 57 years. Not too many theatres could match that.”
Many theaters also don't have the longest running play in America but the Spotlight Theater does. The Drunkard has been performed every Saturday night since 1953. People should not be fooled by the title of the play. According to Stockard, it is a family friendly, melodrama representing the evils of alcohol. The eleven member cast of the play rotates each week creating a new experience because each person portrays a character differently. Jere Upcapher is the office and stage manager and has been involved with the theatre for 53 years. He comments: “Although the script is the same, seeing a different cast creates a different play and experience. Seeing the same cast is rare. You never know what will happen.”
Besides having the longest running play in America, the theater is different than others because the plays are more interactive with the audience. Instead of the audience just sitting and watching the show, they are encouraged to interact by the actors. On stage, the actors become involved with the audience. For example, during the Drunkard, the villain mischievously appears onto the stage for the first time and the audience boos and hisses at him. He acknowledges their presence and shoots them an evil look. Besides hissing at the villain, the audience will have an option at throwing a tomato him. They will begin selling these tomatoes in the lobby before the show. Of course, the tomatoes are fake and soft so the actors don't get hurt, or messy.
The small auditorium makes it easier for the audience to interact because they are closer to the stage and actors. There is only room for 50-60 guests for the Drunkard and 125-130 for the children’s plays Stephanie Porter, a student who volunteered at the theater and has performed in one of their children’s play, said “There is a small close knit feel because of the smaller auditorium. You are closer to the audience and the audience is more involved with the show. The stage crew is even more involved and not hidden like in other theatres. It is more involved in all aspects in the theater.”
The auditorium is small because it was originally built to be used for piano recitals. According to the theater’s website, the theater was built in the 1920’s for Patti Shriner, a famous pianist, who used it as a piano studio and her residence. It was known then as the Riverside Studio. She hired architect Bruce Goff to create the design of the building and it is one of the oldest and surviving buildings in the world that was designed by him. However, she lost it during the Great Depression after becoming bankrupt. It remained unoccupied until former New York City actor Richard Mansfield Dickinson bought the property in 1941. He used it as his residence and a drama studio. In 1952, Dickinson wrote the script for the Drunkard and it was performed by a group of actors called the Tulsa Spotlighters.
The Spotlight Theater shows no signs of slowing down. They are always recruiting volunteers to be actors and crew members. Stockard said, “We attract people who have always wanted to act but have not had the chance to. A lot of our actors had no previous experience but want to do it for fun. We are always recruiting volunteers. New people bring family and friends. It’s an incredible phenomenon.”
The vision for the theater's future is to add on to its current property, according to Stockard. They have a goal to raise enough money to build another building on the empty lot next to the current theater. This new building would provide a bigger theatre for shows and events. The theater would then be restored to its original state and could be turned into a museum.
Until then, it will continue to entertain in the original auditorium where audiences can boo, hiss, cheer, applaud, sing and have a good time during the show.