The Art Behind Mending Hearts
A Legacy of World Class Entertainment
The Orpheum in downtown Memphis has long been the area’s most prestigious theatre for professional plays, musicals, and touring performances. Since its original iteration as “The Grand Opera House” in the late nineteenth century, the Orpheum has been considered the finest professional theatre in the South and for good reason. In 1907, when it was rebranded under the Vaudeville Circuit, the Orpheum as we know it today was constructed as an architectural crown jewel with its decadent gold embellishments, crystal chandeliers, and lavish curtains. Ever since its founding, the Orpheum has brought the world to Memphis.
From Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington to Bob Dylan and Norah Jones, renowned singers and songwriters have graced the stage for over 100 years. But the Orpheum has also been at the intersection where “Broadway Meets Beale”. With world class professional tours, each season of musicals brings favorites like The Lion King, Hamilton, and Six to the midsouth, delighting audiences of all ages from all over the region. And the Christmas season brings the holiday tradition of The Nutcracker, performed by the company of our very own Ballet Memphis and a cast of local performers and dancers who delight in their time on the storied stage. In many ways, the Orpheum blends our local culture with the world stage while it keeps Memphians entertained all year long. And with a rich variety of educational programming, the Orpheum also supports the city in unique ways.
Helping Children Heal
In 2017, Orpheum CEO and President Brett Batterson founded the Mending Hearts Camp, offering a place for grieving young people to experience art as the ultimate form of expression in the midst of pain. The two week summer camp gathers children who have lost a parent and gives them a space to find creative outlets, cultivate community, and work on ensemble pieces that encourage their talents and help them find a voice for their grief. The Orpheum artistic staff works with trained counselors to meet the children in their vulnerability and steer them towards healthy ways to cope and thrive. Daily activities could involve anything from African drumming to paintings, with “Wellness Art Sessions” taking place in the afternoon. Children pick electives for these classes and can spend more intensive time learning new artistic skills or cultivating familiar ones.
Formed From Understanding
The camp was inspired by a similar camp Batterson founded during his tenure at a theatre in Chicago and is ultimately the result of his own childhood fractured by loss. When he was seven, Batterson’s father passed unexpectedly, and he credits the performing arts with teaching him how to heal. Self-expression and the community that it creates offers a priceless platform for a child who is grieving the loss of a parent. And Mending Hearts Camp has proven to be just the place for that healing over the last 9 years. Each summer the Orpheum raises funds to make camp tuition just $50 per camper, with the promise that no camper will ever be turned away due to finances.
The Orpheum's enduring legacy as a world-class entertainment venue is beautifully complemented by the profound generosity of its Mending Hearts Camp, truly making Memphis a better place.