We had the good fortune of connecting with Rebecca Greene Udden and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rebecca, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I loved working in theater, and I wanted to provide work for other theater artists here in Houston. I wanted to create a professional theater in Houston because I wanted to STAY in Houston – because I love Houston! I do want to say it’s not really “my” business – we are a non-profit professional theater. We began as a collective of artists and I have stayed on these 45 years as Artistic Director. But everything we do is very much a collaborative effort. 

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Main Street Theater has always about the people and the work – and it remains so today. I’m most proud of the jobs we’ve been able to provide for people – everything from artistic positions to teaching posts to box office and front of house. We’ve created an artistic home for many, many artists over the years, and I have loved watching them grow and flourish.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
First we’d go to the Museum District and visit all the wonderful museums we have here that may not be on an outsider’s radar. Then we’d head to Rice Village. I’d treat them to meals at El Meson and D’Amico’s. And every evening, we’d go to a different play, showing them the extraordinary theater scene Houston has.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Oh, so many people… The actors and artists who have made Main Street Theater what it is today. Our original collective of artists who got together and decided to start Main Street: Ellen Horr, Jane Evans, Jack Blaylock, Steve Garfinkel, Charlie Tanner, Martha Zimmerman, Becky Bonnar, and Sarajane Milligan. The Rev. John D. Worrell who let us do theater in the evenings in the refectory at Autry House on Main Street. Sandy Havens, a legend in his own right, who was my mentor at Rice University.

Image Credits
RicOrnelProductions Pin Lim / Forest Photography Blueprint Film Co.

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