We believe that theatre changes lives when nothing else can.
Our Mission To transform lives through the art of quality live theatre.
Our Artistic Vision To create an artistically adventurous environment that attracts and excites diverse members of the community by providing an expanded understanding of life through the art of quality live theatre.
Our History The Hickory Community Theatre began in 1948 when the Hickory Recreation Department employed the late Kay Johnson to form a theatre group and informal meetings among a group of local actors led to the formation of what was then known as The Hickory Little Theatre. The first full-length production, You Can’t Take It With You was presented in October 1949. This kicked off the Theatre’s first full season of three plays, including Dear Ruth, a production that started what would become a cornerstone of the Theatre’s artistic vision, which is to present the newest published works as soon as they are available for community theatre production, a practice that continues today. In 1986, when the American Association of Community Theatres (AACT) was formed, the Hickory Community Theatre was one of its charter members. When AACT held its first NewPlayFest, HCT was one of the first companies to present one of the selected plays.
Our Space From the beginning, the Theatre has had its home in the City of Hickory Municipal Building, first as a guest company in the city auditorium and eventually as the building’s sole occupant since 1988. The building has three performance spaces, a 325-seat “Broadway style” proscenium with a full fly loft and orchestra pit, a flexible staging cabaret space and a black box. All of these had new lighting and sound equipment installed in 2013. There is also a spectacular lobby and a green room with six individual dressing rooms.