Theater TEHP was both the show and the theater on this trip that seemed to have thought most thoroughly about the experience of an audience member from start to finish. The atmosphere was cultivated and intentional as soon as you entered the door, but never stiff or forced - the writing across the floor, their collection of elephant figurines that all their regulars know about, and the tea and cookies they serve to every audience that comes through - all of that before you even go into the actual theater.
Because TEHP caters primarily to small intimate groups and families, I was amazed by how quickly and willingly they made room for a group as large as ours and were still able to give us such a remarkable experience. There were parts of performance they couldn’t show or do for so many people, but they made sure to explain everything that would happen.
Considering how TEHP caters to small groups, I was incredibly impressed by all their efforts to reach as many people as possible with their performances. When I usually think of accessibility, it seems like doing performances for such small audiences would be completely incompatible with anything like ease of access. But with their emergency theater ambulance and touring Nativity scene, and their branching into animation TEHP has completely reframed how I think about access and outreach in theater.
I think some of this access also stems from how the artists at TEHP also never seem satisfied with what they’ve already done. They are constantly looking for new ways to expand and explore. Their 4 minute Titus Andronicus was a great example of that, replacing the characters in Shakespeare’s bloodiest play with famous movie killers and monsters. There is creativity and play present everywhere, from the pre-show talks to the food you can order. It’s a very special thing to witness people so excited about what they’re doing, and to see such eagerness to always be growing and experimenting.
I’m as impressed by how TEHP conducts their business as I am by the art they create. The two seem to feed seamlessly into each other and it was such a joy to get to see everything they put into it. I’d go every day if I could.
- Claire Chenoweth
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