Slice Of Life: Meet WAITRESS Ensemble member Ethan Fite

"We can only do the best we can

'Til we do it again"

Stranded by their small town lives as small town waitresses, pie artiste Jenna and her coworkers can only dream of the kind of lives and loves they want. But when an area baking contest gives Jenna the chance to start a new life, what follows is heartwarming tale of dreams followed to the fullest.

Nominated for four Tony Awards, the Broadway hit WAITRESS serves up song, dance, and hope in the Jeffers Theatre at HCT through June 28th.

He's on stage. He's backstage. He's on your socials. He's in your heart. It's Kay Award Winner and WAITRESS Ensemble member Ethan Fite.

Hailing from the "Space City" that is Houston, Texas, Fite landed in the area over ten years ago and hasn't looked back since. He holds an Associate's Degree in Arts & Science from Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute, and is the Production Associate and Social Media Manager for Hickory Community Theatre.

Fite made his Hickory Community Theatre debut as Lady Macduff/Menteith in MACBETH. Since then he has appeared in RIDE THE CYCLONE, A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER, EXIT PURSUED BY A BEAR, KINKY BOOTS, and ROCK OF AGES, for which Fite received a Kay Award for Outstanding Supporting Performer in a Musical. Other area acting credits include performances in DISASTER! for Lincolnton Theatre Guild, FROM THIS DAY FORWARD and CYRANO DE BERGERAC for Old Colony Players, and CABARET with Theatre Statesville.

As a director, Fite has helmed productions of ANASTASIA and CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY for HCT, FOOTLOOSE for Theatre Statesville, and HEATHERS: THE MUSICAL for Out There Productions, which appeared in the Jeffers Theatre.

"It's my favorite show," says Fite of WAITRESS. And while he describes himself as "the actor most likely to cry on stage," Fite is keeping it together now that he is performing in the show he loves so much.

Performances of WAITRESS are Fridays and Saturdays, June 20th through June 28st at 7:30 PM; and, Thursdays, June 19th and June 26th at 7:30 PM. Tickets are $18 for adults, $12 for youth and students.

Tickets are available online at hickorytheatre.org, or by phone at 828-328-2283. The theatre box office is open from 12-5 PM Wednesday through Friday, or one half-hour before a performance.

WAITRESS is rated PG-13. Some material may not be suitable for children under 13.

WAITRESS is produced in association with Alex Lee, Inc. The Hickory Community Theatre’s 76th season is sponsored by A Cleaner World, Belle Age, Covington Dental, LifeRootz, Protection Products, Inc., and Shurtape Technologies. HCT is a Funded Affiliate of Arts Culture Catawba and receives Sustaining Support from the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

(Photo by Eric Seale)