Theater Under The Stars to establish an education and arts center in the ION district of Midtown

Theater Under The Stars has announced that it will establish an educational and arts center as the primary tenant in the new ION neighborhood in Midtown.

Hillary Hart, Executive Director of TUTS, explains that the organization’s dedication to innovative musical theater, inclusive educational programs and vibrant community engagement has driven her to seek space for expansion.

“It’s amazing how we’ve grown over the past 53 years,” Hart said. “With our commitment to supporting local artists and creating more of our productions on the main stage here in Houston, we needed more space. Our new work development program and two year-round schools (Humphreys School of Musical Theater and The River) grow to say nothing of the growth of our strong community engagement programs with nonprofit partners in the community like Dress for Success Houston and New Hope Housing, among others. We also want to be closer and more accessible to the communities we serve; continue to serve this city in new and exciting ways. “

“Building a new arts and education center is something we have wanted to do for many years now,” said Franklin DR Jones, Jr., Chairman of the Board of TUTS. “The Theater Under The Stars impacts the lives of so many Houstonians through their stage work, arts and community programs. We are thrilled to be a part of the new Ion District in Midtown and look forward to continuing our collaboration with them. ‘Rice University in our respective endeavors in art and education. There is more to come! “

While details have yet to be announced, artistic director Dan Knechtges explains that professional productions from TUTS ‘main stage of Broadway shows will remain at the Hobby Center. “Our main season’s productions will always be on the Sarofim stage,” he explains. “However, we are jam-packed and we have to respond to community demand for programs that only TUTS provides.”

Hart said the time spent away from the stage over the past year and a half has given the organization time to re-evaluate how to further its mission and effectively deliver an arts education based on musical theater. “Now that we’re back on stage with a great season at the Hobby Center, we’re excited to establish a rehearsal, education and program space in Houston’s Midtown Cultural Arts and Entertainment District. Bringing this new facility – providing additional community spaces with easily accessible transit lines – will help support and complement the ongoing efforts of our artistic partners like Ensemble Theater, MATCH and others to remove barriers to access and opportunities and help TUTS to to be a more meaningful partner in an already dynamic artistic community. ”

Ryan Levasseur, Managing Director of RMC, said: “We are delighted to welcome TUTS education and awareness programs to the Ion District. The district’s goal is to be a vibrant urban environment of social immersion and inclusion that engages people with each other and with the city through the arts, nature, food, science and technology. . TUTS students and outreach partners will add to the dynamism and energy that is building up here. “