How we choose a season
Hello! Welcome to our unconventional theatre home. We are so happy you’re here.
At High Tide Theatrical, we’ve set up shop in a storefront that is long, narrow, and full of possibility. It’s a space that constantly challenges us to stretch our creative muscles in order to create engaging, meaningful programming throughout the year. I’ve always loved unconventional and black box theatre, but working in a space like this has given me a whole new appreciation for just how much creativity it demands. People often make it look simple, but the truth is, it requires constant problem-solving and imagination.
Because of that, every season begins with a series of questions.
The first is always: Can this be done in the Lightroom Lounge? Our space dictates so much of what is possible. Does a production rely heavily on large, traditional set pieces or elaborate special effects? If so, we have to rethink how (or if) it can work. And then there’s the matter of people. If a cast has more than twenty performers, where do they all go?? Our backstage area is, quite literally, a small hallway that doubles as a dressing room. These limitations aren’t setbacks; they are creative invitations, but they are very real considerations in our process.
From there, the focus shifts outward: Will Springfield be open to this story? We think carefully about our audience and our community. Will they take a chance on something new, or are they craving something familiar with a fresh perspective? And beyond that, we ask an even deeper question: Does Springfield need this story right now?
Theatre has the power to reflect, challenge, and connect us. We want to be intentional about the stories we bring to the stage, stories that resonate, that spark conversation, and that meet our community where it is.
That intentionality can feel like a risk.
When we added Hand to God to our 2025 season, I was honestly terrified. It’s not a title that’s been widely produced in this area, and I knew it had the potential to ruffle some feathers. But what we found was something powerful: people felt seen. The story opened the door to conversations around grief, faith, identity, and repression, topics we don’t always make space for, but ones that matter deeply.
That’s when we know we’re on the right track.
At the heart of every decision is our mission: to cultivate progressive thinking, empathy, and unity. It’s our compass. It grounds us in the “why” behind every show we choose and ensures that our work is not just entertaining, but meaningful.
Of course, there are also practical realities to consider. Planning a season isn’t just about ideas, it’s about logistics. It takes months of research, gathering possibilities, asking questions, and carefully piecing everything together.
One of our biggest considerations is time and space. We don’t have a separate rehearsal venue, which means all rehearsals, builds, and performances happen in the same room. That directly impacts how we schedule our season. If a show requires an extensive set, we have to ask: is there enough time between productions to build it? Can we rehearse one show while preparing the next, or do we need to simplify our approach? These questions don’t just shape what we produce, they shape when we produce it.
And yet, within all of these constraints, we continue to dream big.
There is still so much we want to explore in our little space. We are constantly inspired by what’s possible when limitations meet creativity. Our hope is that each season invites our audience into something new; to be challenged, to feel deeply, and to go on these journeys with us.
Thank you for being part of it.
