Crossroads of America: Oklahoma's Route 66

Circle Cinema continues to celebrate the Route 66 Centennial with a FREE screening of the new documentary Crossroads of America: Oklahoma's Route 66 presented by the Oklahoma Historical Society! One night only, Thu 10/22 at 7pm. Includes a Q&A after the film with Bryan Beasley (director), Jon Roman (producer/cinematographer) joined by Trait Thompson (Oklahoma Historical Society Executive Director) and Oklahoman historians and personalities featured in the film Michael Wallis, Ken Busby, Rhys Martin, and Mary Beth Babcock!

All admission free and open to the public.

From Bryan Beasley (director), Jaime Roman (writer/producer), Jon Roman (producer/cinematographer), and the Oklahoma Historical Society, the film has been touring across Oklahoma this fall and arrives in Tulsa at Circle Cinema. Crossroads of America: Oklahoma's Route 66 reveals why Oklahoma is the heart of the Mother Road, weaving together the rich history of America's most iconic highway with the inspiring stories of the people who continue to live, dream, and shape Route 66's next 100 years.

The film runs 1h8min. Full synopsis:

As Route 66 approaches its 100th anniversary, Crossroads of America: Oklahoma's Route 66 tells the remarkable story of how Oklahoma helped shape America's most iconic highway, and how the Mother Road, in turn, helped shape America itself.

From Cy Avery's vision that placed Oklahoma at the heart of Route 66 to the families who traveled west in search of opportunity, the highway has always been more than a road. It became a pathway to the American Dream, carrying Dust Bowl migrants toward new beginnings, fueling generations of small-town entrepreneurs, and welcoming post-war travelers in search of adventure, freedom, and possibility.

The film also celebrates Oklahoma legends whose stories became inseparable from Route 66. Will Rogers embodied the humor, optimism, and spirit of the open road, while Woody Guthrie gave voice to those chasing a better life along it. Their legacies, like the highway itself, helped define the American experience.

Blending rich history with deeply personal stories, Crossroads of America follows the people who continue to live, work, and dream along Route 66 today. From restaurateurs and artists to preservationists and community leaders, they are not only protecting the Mother Road's remarkable legacy—they are shaping its next 100 years.

At its heart, this is a story about the people. Their resilience, determination, and enduring belief in the promise of tomorrow, remind us that Route 66 has never simply connected places, it has connected generations, communities, and dreams.

About the filmmakers:

Bryan Beasley (director) is an award-winning director, filmmaker, and photographer whose work spans documentary, narrative, television, theater, and branded entertainment. Raised in Oklahoma, Bryan is a graduate of NYU's Tisch School of the Arts, he made his feature documentary debut with Unconquered: Allan Houser and the Legacy of One Apache Family, narrated by Val Kilmer.  His latest documentary, Crossroads of America: Oklahoma's Route 66, explores Oklahoma's pivotal role in the history of the Mother Road and the people preserving its legacy for the next century.

Jaime Roman (writer/producer) is a writer and producer with more than a decade of experience across documentary, film, and television. Born in Seoul, South Korea, raised in Oklahoma, and based in Los Angeles, she is passionate about telling story-driven films that amplify diverse voices and perspectives. Her documentary career has included collaborations with legendary filmmaker Albert Maysles, Robert Greenwald's Peabody Award-winning Brave New Films, and Academy Award nominee Bradley Cooper on the groundbreaking documentary adaptation of the New York Times bestselling book The Body Keeps the Score. Jaime's documentary and narrative work has taken her across the United States and internationally, with productions in Germany, England, and Argentina.

Jon Roman (producer/cinematographer) is an award-winning producer and filmmaker with more than fifteen years of experience across film, television, commercial, theater, and digital media. Having spent thousands of hours on set and in production offices, he brings a deep understanding of every stage of the filmmaking process. His work spans productions of every scale across the United States and internationally, with credits on Academy Award-winning films including Minari and August: Osage County, Emmy-nominated series including American Gods and First & Female, and Clio Award-winning campaigns for Blizzard Entertainment.

The Oklahoma Historical Society (OHS) was founded on May 27, 1893, by members of the Territorial Press Association to preserve newspapers. Over the years the OHS has developed numerous collections, programs, research centers, museums, historic homes, and military sites across the state. The OHS is an agency of the State of Oklahoma and a private membership organization governed by a Board of Directors. Visit OKHistory.org for more.