OKLAHOMA CITY REPERTORY THEATER
IN ASSOCIATION WITH
OKLAHOMA CONTEMPORARY ARTS CENTER
PRESENTS THE
NEW LOS ANGELES REPERTORY COMPANY
PRODUCTION OF
EISENHOWER: THIS PIECE OF GROUND
By Richard Hellesen
Directed by Peter Ellenstein**
FEATURING
JOHN RUBINSTEIN*
DAVID SITLER*
October 21-November 1, 2026
Te Ata Theater at Oklahoma Contemporary
PROJECTIONS & SOUND DESIGN: Joseph Huppert^
ORIGINAL SET & ASSOCIATE LIGHTING DESIGN: John Michael Deegan^
ORIGINAL LIGHTING DESIGN: Esquire Jauchem
STAGE MANAGER: Michelle Elizabeth Vasquez*
PROPS MANAGER: Tess Rosen
PRODUCTION MANAGER: David Pilchman
**
The Director is a Member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, a national theatrical labor union.
*Appearing through an Agreement with Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
^United Scenic Artists, Local USA 829 of the IATSE is the union representing Scenic, Costume, Lighting, Sound and Projection Designers in Live Performance.
Dear Friends,
Welcome back to OKC Rep for the first show of our 2026-27 Season! I'm especially excited for this year's lineup--full of shows that are joyful, thoughtful, and most of all, remind us of our own humanity.
To kick us off: EISENHOWER: THIS PIECE OF GROUND. I was so taken with this show from the first time I watched it. Of course, it's often the case that the past has something to teach us about the present, but I'd had no idea just how resonant this play would be. The piece is adapted from an array of General Eisenhower's memoirs, speeches, and letters and covers so many important moments from his personal life and his career. But that said, EISENHOWER: THIS PIECE OF GROUND is not simply a tribute to the life and work of a great American, it's a conversation about what it means to be a leader, to stay true to your values, and to stay engaged for the continued improvement of our nation.
By the end of the play, General Eisenhower's thesis is clear: a great country doesn't just happen to us, it happens because we participate.
OKC Rep's mission is to produce live theater that builds community, creates conversations, and inspires us all. I personally believe that community, conversation, and inspiration are essential jumping off points for the participation that Eisenhower calls for.
Thank you so much for being with us to kick off the season, and I look forward to seeing you back at the theater soon.
Yours,
Emily Comisar, Executive Artistic Director
The team at OKC Rep wishes to thank:
OCU, Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma, Let’s Fix This, The League of Women Voters of Oklahoma County, CNS Productions, Literati Press, The Garage Sale, Found Treasures Retailers, Lauren Hathcoat, Alexi Smith, Jennifer Graves, Augustus Matthews, Detective Majors, Detective Glover, Armando Vega.
