Meet Thelma Eley from THE COLOR PURPLE


Thelma Eley plays Church Lady Darlene in THE COLOR PURPLE.  This HCT veteran and Kay Award winner for Outstanding Character Actress 2014-2015 has appeared in CROWNS, AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’, and THE WIZ.  A Garysburg native, Eley landed in Hickory in 2005 as the result of an employment transfer.  She is a wife, mother, and Strategic Sourcing Manager with a bachelor’s in Business Administration.

“My favorite thing about HCT is that it allows folds to explore their creativity and be free.  It offers the opportunity to play,” Eley says.  “I chose THE COLOR PURPLE because it’s a story of overcoming and triumph.”  When asked what she likes best about her role, Eley says, “I get to be sassy and that behind-the-scenes instigator.”

This current HCT Board of Directors president is also a member of Morning Star First Baptist Church and the Hickory Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.  Eley’s hobbies include hiking, reading, listening to music, and playing games with family.

Performances of THE COLOR PURPLE will be held on Fridays and Saturdays, January 28 through February 5, 2022, at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, January 30, 2022, at 2:30 p.m., and Thursday, February 3, 2022, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $16 for adults and $10 for youth and students. 

CLICK HERE to purchase tickets online or call the box office at 828-328-2283. Weekday box office hours are 12-5, Wednesday through Friday, or one half-hour before any performance.

Due to the rising rate of Covid-19 cases in Catawba County HCT is now requiring that patrons wear a mask or other face covering while inside the building.

The HCT’s 73rd season is sponsored by Paramount Automotive and Sunbelt Xpress. THE COLOR PURPLE is supported by a grant from the United Arts Council of Catawba County through the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, with funding from the State of North Carolina from the National Endowment for the Arts. Shurtape Technologies, LLC is associate producer. HCT is a funded affiliate of the United Arts Council of Catawba County. Photo by John Koval. 


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