A Theatre with Heart
HEART Repertory Theatre is a nonprofit community theatre (TIN 87-2980386) under the artistic direction of Hjalmer Anderson, the man who lends his name to our company: Hjalmer's Eastside Actors Repertory Theatre.
We aim to provide the Seattle Eastside community with a year-round schedule of all forms of theatre, including live staged productions, online performances, and films to serve the cultural, educational and entertainment needs of our community.
We welcome and provide an avocational opportunity for volunteers interested in the theatre arts to participate in the many activities of community theatre. We also train and support the artistic and financial integrity of theatre professionals and promote and support the diverse local community of theatre youth educational programs in order to teach the importance of the arts and lifelong learning.
We'll see you in the theatre soon!
Our Mission
Theatre thrives on the Eastside
HEART Repertory Theatre engages, inspires, entertains and challenges audiences with productions that support our local talent in all forms of theater, including virtual and live stage work.
We produce shows that range from the classics to new works, creating art despite an ever-changing theatrical climate.
We train and support the integrity of our artistic staff.
We support the diverse community in Eastside theatre youth educational programs, promoting the importance of the arts and lifelong learning.
We celebrate the essential power of theatre to illuminate our common humanity.
Our History
How it all began
HEART was founded during the lockdown of 2020. When the weeks of quarantine started stretching into the summer and fall, a group of community theatre artists banded together (separately) under the leadership of Hjalmer Anderson.
Working with fan-transcribed scripts from golden age radio shows like Our Miss Brooks and The Thin Man, the little troupe began to produce streaming video programs over Zoom and YouTube. Pulling costumes from their own closets and background images that evoked period settings, they eventually produced 21 shows, including an original screenplay.
In 2021, HEART was incorporated, gained tax-exempt status, and raised funds to launch an inaugural season of theatre in 2022. The first production, Chapter Two by Neil Simon, hit the boards in April, filling the house with laughter and tears. HEART continues to produce shows in the same venue, the Kenmore Community Club.