Over the past decade, Oklahoma City has had something of a cultural renaissance, with live theatre becoming more accessible than ever. Theatre companies of all sizes are located throughout our city, bringing interesting and diverse works to the stage—and that number includes 3rd Act Theatre Company, a small community theatre with a big heart. Now in its seventh season, it has been steadily entertaining audiences from a space nestled within Shoppes at Northpark. The 69-seat house hosts what Artistic Director and founding member Christine Jolly said is “the smallest stage you will ever see,” at a mere 16 by 20 feet.
Jolly, along with four fellow thespians, began 3rd Act Theatre Company in 2018 with over 70 years of combined experience on stage but, admittedly, little technical experience. “We’re kind of scrappy,” Jolly said. “We had to fly by the seat of our pants a lot. When we decided we were going to start a theater company, we agreed that we would have to learn everything that there is to know about theater.” They have since created a true community theatre, learning to direct productions and bring together local stage managers and set builders as well as lighting and sound designers. Auditions are held for each play, bringing in a mix of seasoned actors and newcomers. “We have cast people who have never performed before or haven’t since high school or college,” Jolly said. “We are a safe place for people interested in performing to just dip their toe into the theatre world.”
Every season has a theme word representing it, with the current season being “Resist.” Jolly and her team make a point to mix well-known titles with those not as mainstream. Each play runs three weekends for a total of eight performances, and there are still four upcoming plays to look forward to this season.
Beginning Friday, Jan. 23 through Sunday, Feb. 8, Enrico IV takes the stage—a play by Luigi Pirandello, adapted by director Caprice Song. This surreal story centers around former movie star Reginald Henry who has suffered a terrible breakdown after a horse stunt accident and now believes that he is actually the character he was playing: a German emperor named Enrico IV. This is a dark comedy that contains talk of mental illness, as a well-intentioned intervention unravels the truth of this Hollywood legend.
From Feb. 27 to March 15, 3rd Act Theatre Company will present Circle Mirror Transformation by Annie Baker. Marty teaches at a local community center and leads four students through a series of acting exercises. Winner of the Obie Award for Best New American Play, Circle Mirror Transformation discusses elements of the human experience, as the characters take the audience on a journey of romance, heartbreak and healing.
Next up April 10-26 is Decision Height by Meredith Dayna Levy. This entirely female production tells the story of Virginia Hascall, as she becomes a Women Airforce Service Pilot, joining a sisterhood of courageous, but often unrecognized, American heroes fighting in World War II.
Swell Party by Topher Payne will take place May 15-31 and is the final play of the season. It tells the story of a young tobacco heir as he arrives home with a new wife, to announce themselves to society as man and wife, only for him to wind up dead at the party. With a cast of wacky characters, audiences are sure to be charmed by this hilarious whodunit based on the real-life story of Zachary Smith Reynolds.
