Founded in 1966 by twelve Hendersonville natives, Hendersonville Little Theatre began as a local collective of like-minded theatrical artists who wanted the opportunity to develop new work and perform projects they were passionate about.
In 2011, the board decided to move to the downtown area and shortly after that renamed the theatre Hendersonville Community Theatre (HCT). The move was to better serve the community as a whole, not just their members.
In the years since moving to South Washington Street, HCT has had great success with traditional plays and musicals. The theatre began to evolve into a place of opportunity for all. With the addition of youth productions in 2017, HCT gave area children a safe and creative way to spend a summer. These youth productions brought in many new enthusiastic families as patrons, volunteers, and more donors. HCT averaged 30 new patrons per production from 2018-2019.
“Just as we were building momentum,” says new board president and acting Executive Director Janice Guazzo. we were shut down by the pandemic of 2020. Being shuttered for over a year has given us time to reevaluate the sustainability of the only community theatre in Henderson County. It has allowed us to strategically prepare for the challenges that lie ahead”, Guazzo added.“Living day to day waiting for announcements of restrictions being lifted, while also worrying about how to keep actors and patrons safe has been a little stressful, but we are excited to have them back”.
“This year has marked a much-needed reorganization and change of board leadership for HCT. We are returning to the roots of this organization,” Guazzo stated. “Our current board is dedicated to carrying on the Hendersonville Little Theatre legacy as well as creating new programs and community outreach projects.”
“Our season may seem a bit abbreviated but the royalties and fees that come with large cast shows was a hill too high for us to climb this season,” said Board Member Jonathan Forester. “With the uncertainties of the pandemic restrictions, we had to think outside the box. The shows chosen for our 2021 season feature smaller casts with big entertainment, something we all need right about now. Our first show, Always a Bridesmaid, featured four new actors and two veterans on our stage. I was pleased to see so many new faces at our first audition. We had so many happy patrons attend, we saw many first-timers there as well.”
The remainder of the season includes: Everything is Rosie -Wendy Jones and her Jazz trio(July 17th & 18th), Ross Osteen Band (August 7th), Nunsense-Sister Amnesia’s Country Western Jamboree (September 1st-12th), and finally A Tuna Christmas (December 3-12).
“Using our space to let others in the community shine, is where our thoughts went next.”, says Kathleen Henby, HCT Treasurer. Hosting a local children’s author book launch was HCT’s first community outreach event. Mary Beth Stevens, Tippy (the dog), and friends welcomed their fans of the book “Tippy Finds His Purpose”.
“To stay relevant and engaged in the community the rest of the season we are planning some fun community events such as open mic nights, classic movie showings, comedy nights, game nights, and a special new Readers’ Theatre for our 55+ community,” says Sabrina Rockwell, HCT Secretary. ”These will be open to the general public on a pay what you can model. We hope our local actors and musicians will bring their works to share with folks that want to support the arts. We are also partnering with another non-profit in Raleigh to help NC playwrights get their scripts read and workshopped with the end goal being on our stage in full production. Some other things to come are low-cost programs that will include: improv workshops, acting workshops for adults and youth.”
“We have an opportunity to grow and become a significant provider of the arts and education to community partners, such as Henderson County Public Schools, the Boys and Girls Club, and many of our senior living communities. The reorganization of the theatre is driven by a vision of the future as well as by the economic realities of the present,” said Guazzo. “We are creating specialized roles and a professionalized structure as well as adopting a new Donor program and beginning a capital fundraising campaign that will help to support HCT’s growth for years to come.”
For more information on upcoming events, donating or volunteer opportunities visit HCT’s website www.hendersonvilletheatre.org or call 828-692-1082.