The Open Road: Behind the Script of Willows
"It's an ensemble piece. A tale of friendship, (...) and how we very much need one another to get through this life."
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Grown and based in Moore, Oklahoma, we are equal parts production company and education studio, forging new frontiers for theatre. With Storyteller Theatre we want to see you grow into the artist you've always wanted to be.
Through intellect, passion, and preservation, we connect literature to theatre.
Who We Are
WE ARE THE MUSIC-MAKERS, AND WE ARE THE DREAMERS OF DREAMS.
- "Ode", a poem by Arthur O'Shaughnessy
We believe that the best theatre derives from serious thought, intention, and a little spark of passion*.
*or madness, whichever you prefer.
We're here to uncover the innate storyteller within you. We recognize and celebrate your unique perspectives, worldviews, and interests because that's what makes our theatre work relatable, distinct, and human. We love to learn, and we can find stories in all spaces, places, and people.
Our team is made up of experienced innovators, educators, and (hard) workers. We're forging a new path for theatre by leveraging classic literature through entertainment and education. We're Okies through and through. Tough, persevering, and the friendliest little theatre you've ever met, we can't be stopped.
Our work as a production company spans the literary works of L.M. Montgomery, Robert Louis Stevenson, Mark Twain, Louisa May Alcott, Shakespeare, Oscar Wilde, Jane Austen, and so many others. We thoughtfully adapt the most beloved of stories from the page and bring them to life through theatre.
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We maintain our production quality by cultivating a local actor base through intentional and introspective arts education. Our educational base spans a wide-range of ages, because storytellers are all ages, shapes, and sizes. We believe that learning and growth for an actor, artist, technician, or community is life-long and should never stop.
Behind the Team
JUSTICE WICKSTROM
founder // artistic director // set designer
Justice is an actor, carpenter, scenic designer, and theatre arts specialist. He utilizes his multi-faceted experiences and expertise in newfound ways that provide fresh thinking and direction. With over 15 years of experience, Justice has worked gratuitously among the performing arts industry in nearly every position you could think of.
As an actor, Justice began his acting career at 11 years old, performing traditional speeches and ceremonies for the International Order of Demolay. His special and treasured time in Demolay earned him state, national, and international titles for performance and speaking. His greatest accomplishment was continuing the legacy by coaching his former chapter, so they could continue their competitive success. He was a state and national qualifier for Speech & Debate and a four-time OSSAA All-Star Actor. After school, he was the full-ride scholarship winner to for the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City, but chose to stay in Oklahoma to start his family. He has performed locally for Poteet Theatre, the former Bethany Stage, Jewel Box Theatre, Carpenter Square, and 3rd Act Theatre Company. Some of his favorite roles include the title role in The Elephant Man at Poteet theatre, J.M. Barrie in The Lost Boy at 3rd Act Theatre Company, and Caleb DeLeon in The Whipping Man at Carpenter Square Theatre.
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In addition to acting and directing, Justice enjoys designing, building, and painting sets. His favorite projects are those that allow him freedom to think creatively. When not spending time at the theatre, he loves to be at home, thinking up new projects, or relaxing with Brenna, and their three kids.
BRENNA WICKSTROM
co-founder/ / director of education & events // writer
Brenna Wickstrom has over 15 years of experience as an actress, theatre educator, artist, director, and writer. Most recently, her varied expertise led her the honor of being an integral part in the rebirth of the nearly 100 year old Players Centre in Sarasota, Florida as their Director of Education. Her position in Florida gave her the opportunity to rebrand their theatre arts studio, implement fresh theatre programming, and consult on projects like the Storybook Walk for Sarasota libraries, and arts integration enrichment for Florida's Early Learning Coalition.
However, her home and heart is here in Oklahoma where she has had the privilege to educate over 2,100 students for amazing local theatres such as Oklahoma Children's Theatre, Kismet Arts Studio, the former Bethany Stage, Wilson Elementary, and Edmond Fine Arts. While working at Wilson, she had the neat opportunity to receive training from the Kennedy Center's arts integration program.
As an actor, she has worked for the Poteet Theatre, the former Bethany Stage, Carpenter Square Theatre, Upstage Performing Arts, and the University of Central Oklahoma. In 2019, she excitedly traveled to Edinburgh, Scotland for the infamous FRINGE Festival where she performed with incredible actors from UCO in their original and collectively written play, "Oklahoma, U.S.A!". Some of her favorite roles include Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz at Poteet, Lady MacDuff in Macbeth at UCO, and Lizzie Borden/Bridgette in Blood Relations at Carpenter Square.
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When she isn't writing the scripts for a Storyteller Season, she's loving and chasing after her three beautiful kiddos-- Noah, Harrison, and Ellie. In her spare time, she loves reading kid lit, historical fiction, and biographies. But her favorite book will always be Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban! She and Justice love going to the movies, making coffee runs, and dreaming up new ideas.
What We Do
Core Services
Our core services include live productions, theatre education & programming, traveling productions, consultation, and specialty events.
​Upcoming Shows
Little Women: An Immersive Experience | The Harn Homestead, Oklahoma City
November 30 - December 3rd (Thursday-Sunday, times vary)
December 7th-9th (Thursday-Saturday, times vary)
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