Heller Theater's Tattershall debuts with teens at Clark Theater production

But for the longtime artistic director at Heller Theater, which has built a reputation for presenting modern plays for adult audiences, this is hardly her first theatrical venture with young people.

Tattershall began a teen improv comedy group at Heller six years ago, and she's been working with the Arts and Humanities Council of Tulsa for 16 years, directing and teaching theater in area schools during that time.

So she has a good idea of what to expect from the young people with Clark's OnStage Youth Theater, a repertory company dedicated solely to high school students, to whom she introduced herself recently.

"I don't call them kids, because they're all taller than me," the 4-feet, 10-inch redhead said with a chuckle.

"These young people are very dedicated; they work very hard. There's some real talent, and they want to learn this craft," added Tattershall, who due to budget cuts now directs both Heller and Clark, Tulsa's two city-operated theaters and parks. "They're open to directions and don't look at me like I'm crazy. They've been great to me, and they've done all the crazy stuff I've asked them to do."

Clark's annual presentation of Barbara Robinson's "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" returns next month, but first up for the group is "HIT AND MIS-DEMEANOR," a comedy that revolves around a hit TV show featuring female officers.

The show is receiving high ratings, the two lead stars are rich and cute, and they're rolling in fan mail. But two things stand between them and complete happiness: They can't stand each other, and someone is trying to kill them.

A mix of comedy and suspense, the premise is that the play's audience is the TV audience in attendance to watch the show, and as the audience is waiting for taping to begin, they have the opportunity to see behind-the-scenes actions.

"It's a play-within-a-play, and one cast member even sits in the audience and talks back to the cast, so it's slightly interactive as well," Tattershall said. "It's going to be fun."

The cast includes Preston Lindley, Roxanne Dominick, Emily Avery, Katey Letzkus, Genna Crane, Sam Higgins, Krysie Norris, Valerie Carpenter, Jake McKenzie, Becca Zemel, Hope Mencer, Lance Gill, Chris Claborn and Reye McAtee. Rebecca Blackmore is responsible for lighting.

Performances of Clark Theater's production of playwright William Gleason's "HIT AND MIS-DEMEANOR" are set for 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the theater, 11440 E. Admiral Place. Tickets are $5-$7 and may be reserved by calling 669-6455.

Michael Smith 581-8334
michael.smith@tulsaworld.com