About Us

Our Theater

History

Opera in the Heights is located in historic Lambert Hall, the original sanctuary of Heights Christian Church.

On July 31, 1927, the church held the ground-breaking ceremony and the corner-stone was laid. Many Houston celebrities took part, including: Mayor O. S. Holcombe; Dr. E. E. Oberholtzer, Superintendent of Public Schools; and pastors from other local churches. On October 23, 1927, the building was dedicated. Present were architect C. N. Nelson and contractor P. H. Fredericks. The building had been erected at a cost of $39,904.30, an amount that included the pews, art glass and lighting fixtures.

Heights Christian Church built its new sanctuary, next door to Lambert Hall, in 1967. After that year, Lambert Hall became available for community events. For several years Lambert Hall was home for the Heights Museum, now in the fire station on 11th Street.

Opera in the Heights

Opera in the Heights held its first Gala Opera Evening, a Fledermaus Party, in Lambert Hall on April 12, 1996. A few days later, an arsonist set fire to Lambert Hall, having poured flammables onto the piano and the backstage storage. A neighbor, Marie Campos, saw the fire in the early morning, and called the fire department, which arrived in minutes and saved the building.

Opera in the Heights held its next performance, a Gala II Concert, on May 11, 1996, in Lambert Hall, with a curtain hanging over fire damaged wall. Clean-up was financed by this benefit concert, a dinner party, and the sweat of church members, Opera in the Heights company members and neighbors. The restoration was done by Opera in the Heights Board member Theo Bashshiti and his construction crews.

Since 1996, Opera in the Heights and Heights Christian Church have worked together to renovate Lambert Hall.

The 21st century

By fall of 2004, Lambert Hall was renewed and beautified with new floor surfaces, a rebuilt air conditioner, new seats and restored beautiful stained glass windows. New lighting and sound equipment were installed in 2005. Grants from Houston Endowment Inc. have been instrumental in making Lambert Hall the architectural gem it is today.

In addition, Lambert Hall has been the home of the UpStage Theatre company since mid-2006.