Heather Orr - Founder and Director
Heather Orr
Founder & Artistic Director, SoHo Performing Arts
Heather Orr is the Founder and Artistic Director of SoHo Performing Arts, a premier youth performing arts organization dedicated to cultivating the next generation of artists through professional-caliber musical theatre training and performance. Since founding the company in 2015, she has established a reputation for artistic excellence, innovative programming, and transformative arts education.
A performer, director, choreographer, producer, and educator with more than 25 years of professional experience, Heather holds degrees in Dance and Music. Her extensive training includes Broadway Dance Center, Steps on Broadway, The American Academy of Dramatic Arts, The William Esper Studio, and advanced study through the American Dance Guild, where she was awarded the prestigious Fannie Weiss Scholarship and worked with artists of the internationally acclaimed José Limón Dance Company.
Heather's professional performance career spans New York City, the United States, and Europe. She has performed at SummerStage in New York City, appeared with Disney, toured internationally throughout Germany and the Czech Republic, and performed the work of legendary choreographer Twyla Tharp under her artistic leadership. These experiences shaped the artistic vision and professional standards that define her work as an educator and director.
As a licensed educator, Heather has designed and implemented theatre, dance, and music programs for public schools, directed touring performance companies, and created exceptional opportunities for young performers to appear at Disneyland, NBA halftime performances, festivals, competitions, and community productions. Her commitment to excellence has inspired hundreds of students to grow as artists, leaders, and confident young adults.
Today, Heather continues to lead SoHo Performing Arts with a conservatory-level approach to training that emphasizes technical excellence, expressive storytelling, creativity, discipline, and collaboration. Under her leadership, the organization has become known for producing high-quality theatrical experiences while nurturing every student's unique artistic voice.
Heather believes the performing arts are among the most powerful tools for developing confidence, resilience, leadership, and character. Her mission is to provide extraordinary theatrical experiences that inspire young artists to pursue excellence on stage, in their communities, and throughout their lives.
