HIGH SPRINGS COMMUNITY THEATER, INC.
HIGH SPRINGS, FLORIDA

High Springs Playhouse is a private, nonprofit corporation whose mission is to stage high quality family entertainment through amateur theater productions using the donated talents of residents of High Springs and surrounding communities. From its inception in 1993 through 2001, HSP staged shows at the New Century Woman’s Club. In 2002, through the generosity of the community, our sponsors, and dedicated audience support, HSCT realized the dream of owning our own theater. Participation in HSP is open to anyone, regardless of experience or residence. Volunteers perform all aspects of operations at High Springs Playhouse including mounting stage productions, theater administration, and support activities such as selecting plays and planning improvement projects. HSP produces five main stage productions each year, plus a Summer Youth Theater Program. Auditions are open to everyone. Funding is provided by our operating budget which comes primarily from donations from business partners, sponsors, and individuals like you, as well as some from show revenues. All our board members, directors, cast, and crew are unpaid volunteers who donate their time at HSP. With the exception of musicians during some musical productions, all participants are volunteers. An average of 1,500 volunteer hours are required to stage a community theater production. If you have any questions about HSP, or if you would like to volunteer your talent or become a business partner, please contact us . and High Springs Community Theater was born. During their 1993 -1994 season, this new theater group presented five more plays. High Springs Community Theater was officially incorporated on August 1, 1994 by the founding officers, Graham and Diane Williams. Jeannette Peters and Jim Gabriel, both prominent residents of High Springs, were members of the first Board of Directors. Soon, the theater entered into a formal usage agreement with the GFWC High Springs New Century Woman’s Club. From 1993 through 2001, HSCT staged thirty-nine shows at the GFWC High Springs New Century Woman’s Club. During those years, HSCT expanded the stage area and added a small lighting booth at the back of the meeting room. A green room was also enclosed along the back of the building. The final contribution that HSCT made to the Woman’s Club building was the addition of a beautiful lobby and two restrooms. With the addition of the two restrooms, the theater group was finally able to abandon the practice of having to rent porta-potties to place in the side yard during the run of each production. What a relief that was! But alas, both organizations were growing at a steady pace, and their activities were increasing, leading to some scheduling issues, so HSCT started looking for another venue. They located and purchased the building at 130 NE First Avenue in High Springs in October, 2001. Thus, through the generosity of the community, sponsors, and dedicated patrons, HSCT realized the dream of owning their own building. In previous years, the building had housed several businesses and churches and become known as the “pink church”. Now HSCT was prepared to transform the building into a theater. , their last play presented on the stage of the New Century Woman’s Club. They took possession of their new building in January, 2002, and a flurry of activity ensued. Under the direction of Tom Solomon, owner of The Rustic Inn, and largely through his hard work, the interior of the building was modified to add a stage and to provide a tea room, green room, and dressing rooms. A special program that HSCT started in its first year was the Summer Youth Production,and it continues today. Through the program, young people from ages 8 to 18 are given the opportunity to participate in presenting a play on stage. For many years, the directors, stage managers, crew, and technical staff for these shows were adults. In 2004, the Board of Directors decided that the Summer Youth Production should become a full workshop for the youth of their communities. Starting with that year’s show, , the directors, stage manager, crew, and technical staff were all young adults. Two adult advisors were assigned to help, but the show was totally produced by the young adults and their cast. Shanna Swiers, Director, and Emma Harbert, Assistant Director explored new territory for the youths involved in the HSCT Summer Youth Production, and they blazed a magnificent trail. The Summer Youth Production continues to be a much anticipated focal point of seasons at HSCT. In the last several years, HSCT has attracted many new faces both to their stage and in their audiences. They continue to plan for additional improvements to their building and are developing programs to welcome more people from the community into their theater family. They have expanded their program so they present five main stage shows each year as well as the Summer Youth Production. The mission of the High Springs Playhouse is to enhance the quality of life training and education. The philosophy is one of community inclusiveness in all programs. We are a volunteer community driven theater. Please feel free to call or email us with ideas or suggestions on how we can better serve our community. We hope to see you at the theater soon!