Theatre 55 was established in 2018 to fill a need in the Twin Cities and throughout Minnesota: theatre performed by seniors.
Mission
Enrich the lives of elders as artists, audiences, and lifelong learners through theatre performance and education.
Vision
Eliminate ageism by shifting the paradigm on aging.
The Theatre 55 Method
During the rehearsal process, novice performers will have a hands-on opportunity to learn from professional actors along with a musical director, choreographer, and director, in a peer to peer methodology. Participants will learn theatre skills of using your body, voice, imagination, breath control, movement, expression, and self-promotion through social media.
Theatre 55 Staff
Richard Hitchler, Founder & Artistic Director
Richard G. Hitchler is a visionary artistic director, producer, presenter, cultural and community leader with over 30 years of innovative experience specializing in growing arts organizations and connecting community.
He is the Founder and Artistic Director of Theatre 55, Minnesota’s only full-time senior theater who’s mission is to enrich the lives of elders through life long learning and vision is to shift the paradigm on aging and end ageism.
From 1997 - 2015, Mr. Hitchler was the Executive and Artistic Director of SteppingStone Theatre for Youth Development. Under his leadership, the theatre commissioned and produced more than 60 new plays by local playwrights, conducted a five million dollar capital campaign to create SteppingStone Theatre’s first permanent home, and quadrupled the number of young people served.
Mr. Hitchler earned a B.F.A. in Theatre Arts from the University of Minnesota and has been working in professional theatre since 1987. Locally, he has worked as a director, educator, and administrator with The Children’s Theatre Company, Small Change Theatre, Cricket Theatre, Mixed Blood Theatre, and Illusion Theater. Mr. Hitchler also spent a number of years in Florida, working with Florida Studio Theatre, and the Orlando Shakespeare Festival. He is an alumni of the James P. Shannon Leadership Institute, led the St. Paul A.C.E. facilities committee, and has served on Minnesota State Arts Board panels and the St. Paul Cultural STAR Board. He has won several awards including the Sally Irving Ordway Award for Education in Theater, the Ann Shaw Fellowship, and Pollen’s 50 over 50 theatre award.
Ross Willits, Associate Producer
Ross Willits is an arts administrator and advocate from the Minnesota. He has worked with Theatre 55 since 2019 as Associate Producer, managing website, marketing, ticketing and front-of-house operations. He and Richard have been partners in theatre management since 1995, working together at The Cricket Theatre, SteppingStone Theatre, and now Theatre 55. His long career has included work at the Guthrie Theater, Steppingstone Theatre for Youth Development, and The O’Shaughnessy at St. Catherine University. He is the Past-Chair of Minnesota Citizens for the Arts, the most successful statewide arts advocacy organization in the country. He was recently the Executive Director of the Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association. He currently has an active arts consulting business. He holds a Ph.D. in Theatre Arts from the University of Minnesota, where he studied the work of anti-fascist playwright Bertolt Brecht.
Amanda K.Gehrke, Stage Manager
Amanda K. Gehrke holds a B.A. in Theatre from Winona State Univeristy, with an emphasis in Stage Management. She has worked professionally as Stage Manager with the Huron Playhouse, Children's Theater of Madison, SteppingStone Theatre, Stage's Theatre Company and now Theatre 55.
One of the many things she loves about working with Theatre 55 is watching people bloom under the guidance and direction throughout the rehearsal and performance process. Working on these productions from start to finish gives her an opportunity to watch the mission of Theatre 55 unfold in real time.
Calling a performance is like conducting a silent orchestra, making sure that everything happens at just the right moment. Working with the performers and technicians to maintain the integrity of the show, making sure each audience member receives the same experience from opening night to closing. Theatre 55 is so much more to me than just a theatre company, and has become a community and second family.
Theatre 55 Board of Directors
Richard Hitchler, Founder & Artistic Director
Richard G. Hitchler is a visionary artistic director, producer, presenter, cultural and community leader with over 30 years of innovative experience specializing in growing arts organizations and connecting community.
He is the Founder and Artistic Director of Theatre 55, Minnesota’s only full-time senior theater who’s mission is to enrich the lives of elders through life long learning and vision is to shift the paradigm on aging and end ageism.
From 1997 - 2015, Mr. Hitchler was the Executive and Artistic Director of SteppingStone Theatre for Youth Development. Under his leadership, the theatre commissioned and produced more than 60 new plays by local playwrights, conducted a five million dollar capital campaign to create SteppingStone Theatre’s first permanent home, and quadrupled the number of young people served.
Mr. Hitchler earned a B.F.A. in Theatre Arts from the University of Minnesota and has been working in professional theatre since 1987. Locally, he has worked as a director, educator, and administrator with The Children’s Theatre Company, Small Change Theatre, Cricket Theatre, Mixed Blood Theatre, and Illusion Theater. Mr. Hitchler also spent a number of years in Florida, working with Florida Studio Theatre, and the Orlando Shakespeare Festival. He is an alumni of the James P. Shannon Leadership Institute, led the St. Paul A.C.E. facilities committee, and has served on Minnesota State Arts Board panels and the St. Paul Cultural STAR Board. He has won several awards including the Sally Irving Ordway Award for Education in Theater, the Ann Shaw Fellowship, and Pollen’s 50 over 50 theatre award.
Lisa Ramos, Treasurer
Lisa Ramos is delighted and honored to be a member of the Theatre 55 Board of Directors and grateful for the opportunity to continue as a life-long learner. She believes deeply in the power of theater to build community and spark thoughtful connections, while continuing to actively share our experiences and the joy of creating together at every stage of life.
Lisa’s love of music, storytelling, and performance continues to grow. A classically trained contralto/dramatic mezzo, she has added to her stage experience with roles in Theatre 55 productions including Sweeney Todd, Into the Woods, Cabaret, A Chorus Line, RENT, Jesus Christ Superstar, Hair, Urinetown, and Pippin. Previously, she appeared in over 30 productions with Minnesota Opera, and with organizations including Chanhassen Dinner Theatre and Raison d’Être Opera. She has been a featured soloist and ensemble member in concert productions with singing groups and orchestras throughout Minnesota, the Midwest and touring in Europe.
Offstage, Lisa brings the same focus, collaboration, and care to her professional work as a Consultant in Business Operations at Securian Financial, where she leads complex client projects, builds strong relationships, and helps create thoughtful business solutions for clients and partners. Her dedication to service, leadership, performance, and artistry informs the way she connects with people—both in business and in the arts.
Brenda Starr, Secretary
I’m a lifelong learner and at age 70, received my master’s degree in leadership from Augsburg University in 2018. My professional background spans 35 years in Human Resources, culminating in executive positions for profit and non-profit sectors. Semi-retired, I assist others part-time, as an independent Organizational Development Consultant. In my community, I am an Ordained Deacon who also works passionately to raise awareness on women’s cardiac health, self-care and ageism. I’m Mom to 3, and “Nini” to 11 Grands and 4 Great Grands.
In 2025, I was honored to join the T55 Board. I love their mission, vision and work to fight ageism and loneliness, using performance art. My very first performance was in their 2018 inaugural production of HAIR at Mixed Blood Theatre. Over the years, and under T55’s mentoring, I have grown to audition for and be cast in numerous productions which include Urinetown, Little Shop of Horrors as Ronnette, and HAIR/The Concert Experience at Caponi Park.
For more info on my theatre credits, google Brenda Starr, actress in St. Paul, MN, or visit my page here. Thanks so much for coming to our shows and supporting us, you’re always going to have a wonderful time!
