Building the Future of Theatre

Live theatre should always feel magical in the moment—but many don’t realize that the magic on stage is built through weeks of planning, coordination, and labor across artistic and operational disciplines. Behind every performance are not only actors and designers, but administrators, marketers, technicians, fundraisers, and educators working in concert.

At Hickory Community Theatre, that work is carried out by a small professional staff balancing production, education, marketing, ticketing, and fundraising—often simultaneously. It’s meaningful work, and it’s demanding. And like many community arts organizations across the country, it raises an important question:

How do we sustain the art we love while preparing the next generation to lead it?

HCT’s answer to that question is a paid internship program, which is one of the goals of our annual fund drive, currently underway. Support the internship program and our ongoing operations with a gift today.

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Why Paid Internships Matter

Across the arts sector, early-career professionals are often asked to choose between gaining experience and earning a living. Too many internships—especially in nonprofit arts organizations—remain unpaid or short-term, denying access to those who can’t afford to volunteer their time.

At Hickory Community Theatre, we believe talent, curiosity, and commitment shouldn’t require financial sacrifice.

That’s why we’re creating paid, school-year internships designed specifically for rising college seniors and graduate students—individuals who are ready to move beyond observation and into meaningful, hands-on professional work.

When fully funded, the program will allow HCT to host up to four interns per semester, including:

• Two creative-track interns, supporting production, stage management, design, and education initiatives

• Two business-track interns, working in marketing, communications, fundraising, and arts administration (Yes—community theatre is a business. And learning how that business operates is essential to sustaining the art form itself.)

  
  

Learning by Doing—On Both Sides of the Curtain

Interns at HCT won’t be observers on the sidelines. They’ll be collaborators—working alongside professional staff, artists, and volunteers on real projects with real deadlines and real impact.

From supporting productions to crafting marketing campaigns, from donor communications to backstage problem-solving, interns will gain a holistic understanding of what it takes to run a nonprofit theatre—and how every role contributes to the whole. This model doesn’t just support HCT. It helps build a stronger, more resilient arts ecosystem.

Autumn’s Story

Autumn Dagenhardt, who began her HCT experience at age 10, chose our theatre as the place to complete her high school community service internship. This is her story.

How You Can Help Launch the Next Generation

HCT’s annual fund drive is raising $150,000 to sustain our work and launch this paid internship program. We’re well past the halfway mark, and momentum is building—but there is still work to do. Every gift helps:

• Strengthen our day-to-day operations,

• Fund paid internship positions, and

• Ensure Hickory Community Theatre remains a place where artists and arts leaders can grow.

If you believe in live theatre, in access, and investing in people—not just productions—we invite you to be part of this next chapter. Your generosity fuels our ability to create memorable theatre experiences and enrich our community.

Donate Today