ABOUT
INCLUSION
We welcome everyone regardless of what you look like, where you're from, how much you have, your ideology, or whom you love.
WE VALUE
RESPECT
We are committed to being accepting, considerate, attentive, encouraging, and appreciative of every person who comes through our doors.
DISCOVERY
We revel in the marvel and wonder of human truths revealed, for the artists and the audience, through the art of live theatre.
COLLABORATION
We believe that the inherent vaule of individuals working together toward a collective vision creates something powerful that is far greater than the sum of its parts.
OUR MISSION
OUR VISION
Live theatre that entertains, enlightens, inspires, and unites our community.
OUR HISTORY
The Hickory Community Theatre had its humble beginning in 1948 when the Hickory Recreation Department employed Kay Johnson to form a theatre group. Her first offering was a series of radio dramas aired on WIRC. In 1949, informal meetings, encouraged by the Kramer family, led to the formation of what was then known as The Hickory Little Theatre. The HLT first production was an evening of one-act plays, so successful that the company presented its first full-length production, YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU in October in the auditorium at City Hall. The building has been the home of HCT ever since.
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The Theatre grew in popularity and community support through the ’50s and staged its first musical production, THE BOYFRIEND, in 1958 – the same year that Charles Jeffers started his life-long involvement with HCT.
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A new city hall was built in 1976 and HCT slowly moved into more of the old building. Renovations in 1984 led to the two performance spaces known to modern audiences, the extremely popular Firemen’s Kitchen and the HCT Mainstage, which the City Council renamed The Charles E. Jeffers Theatre in 1988, when the City turned over the entire building to the use of the Theatre.
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Renovations continued in the 1990s...
To produce quality live shows, foster creative expression, and engage diverse community members in the art of theatre.
STAFF
Eric Seale hails from the Bluegrass of Lexington, KY. He's career has had a focus on directing and... READ MORE
ERIC SEALE
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Kelsey Kott was born and raised in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. Kott earned her bachelor’s... READ MORE
KELSEY KOTT
EDUCATION DIRECTOR
Paul Sapp was born in California, raised in New Jersey, educated in Virginia and Maryland, and has resided with his wife and two children... READ MORE
PAUL SAPP
HOUSE MANAGER
John Rambo was born in Oregon, the son of an Air Force Master Sergeant. His early childhood covered... READ MORE
JOHN RAMBO
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Christine moved to Hickory from Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. There she was employed with The Shaw... READ MORE
CHRISTINE STINSON
ADMIN DIRECTOR
Emma Lee grew up in West Virginia, went to college in Texas (where she met and married her... READ MORE
EMMA LEE KURTS
COSTUME DESIGNER
Pam is the retired Artistic Director of Hickory Community Theatre. She joined the HCT family in July of 2000... READ MORE
PAMELA LIVINGSTONE
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR EMERITA
Julie has been involved in behind the scenes roles in theatre and the arts for almost 20 years. She... READ MORE
JULIE WRIGHT
HOUSE MANAGER
Originally from Houston, TX, Ethan Fite relocated to Granite Falls, NC, READ MORE
ETHAN FITE
PRODUCTION ASSOCIATE
2024-2025 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OFFICERS
Anita Doran, President Sue Walker, Vice President
Sherry Griffin, Treasurer Sara Stinemetz, Secretary
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MEMBERS AT LARGE
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Nathan Ahlgrim Steve Austin Dorothy Best Ellie Jeffers Hall Lisa Martinez Higgins
Alice McDonough Mary Jo Morgan William "Bill" Parrish Jordan Spears
BOARD RECRUITMENT ​
Are you interested in joining the Board of Directors for HCT? Service on the HCT board is an opportunity to promote the Hickory Community Theatre and the arts in the Hickory region. The board is interested in diverse candidates with a passion for theatre and a love of the performing arts.