A Theatre is a Family

   (originally published 12/30/21)

Getting involved in your community theatre comes with the utter joy of meeting a whole bunch of like-minded people all with the same goal of putting on an excellent show. Individuals that start off as acquaintances (or sometimes competition) soon become endearing friends that you couldn’t live without. In so many ways it can become like a family. Many times here at HCT we even have actual families participating together. This story from Lauren is a perfect example. Lauren first joined us in 2009, working backstage on our production of Titanic the Musical. Since then she’s racked up an impressive list of credits, working on a half dozen or more shows every season. She’s even taken a couple of turns on stage, most recently in the ensemble of Something Rotten. I asked her to share her experience and what HCT means to her. This is what she wrote.
“Hickory Community Theatre has been a large part of my life for the past 12ish years. This place has become my home. I have spent countless hours just being in the theatre. 

I became a part of the theatre purely by accident, but it is one accident I will never want to change. From the moment I stepped through those doors, the theatre has changed my life. I was going through some of the worst moments of my life and the theatre became my outlet. I had always struggled with finding my place, with people who accepted me for who I was, but HCT welcomed me with open arms.
 
I have met some of the most influential people in my life, and some of my best friends. I learned what I wanted to do with my life. I changed my focus in school, and decided to peruse technical theatre as my focus. Countless hours working on sets, backstage, anything to expand my knowledge. I quickly went from working on sets, to working backstage, to stage managing, to finally being on stage. 

The theatre became my one place to go to when I felt lost. The friendships I have made have given me what I needed to get through the hardest things in my life. HCT helped me overcome my fear of being back on stage and being in front of people. I never once thought I’d see myself in a show, let alone 4 shows. 

After several years of being a part of the theatre I did another thing I never thought I would do. I let me mom into the world I held so close to my heart. While she was going through something that would change her life forever, I suggested she come to an improv class I was helping out with. I never expected her to fall in love with the theatre as much as I had. I watched my mother become someone I never knew, but someone I wanted to get to know more. I watched her come out of her shell and get up there and sing, act, and dance. She was able to do all the things that I was never able to do on that stage (at least up to that point). I was hesitant at first, because this was my “thing”, but the way I saw it change her, I wouldn’t change a thing. For once I have been the one to be able to teach her. She has always been the one supporting me, but it was time for me to support her after all she had done for me. For the first time we had started to become friends. I have watched her go from just being backstage, to being on stage, to even stage managing her own shows. We now share this bond over something we both love. 

I will forever hold the theatre and people there close to my heart and thank them every day for what it's brought to my life. A feeling of safety, being welcomed, a feeling of home.”
When volunteers talk to us about their experiences the word “home” often comes up. There’s a reason for that. Home is a safe haven and a comfort zone. It’s more than a place, it’s a feeling. This lyric from The Wiz I think sums it up best – “When I think of Home, I think of place where there is love overflowing.” This is what HCT means to so many. This is the place and the feeling that you help create.

We are currently in the midst of our year end fundraising campaign and we’ve just past the halfway point toward our goal. If you are one of the many people who have already made your gift, we thank you. If you haven’t yet, would you lend your support today? Every gift counts in so many ways. Whether it is $20 or $20,000, you’re keeping theatre alive in our region. Your support makes it possible for hundreds of volunteers to give back, providing a welcoming place for everyone and outstanding community programming that is both entertaining and enlightening. Would you like to make a dramatic difference today?
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