HART 2018

A Second Act

Chef’s Appetite for Creativity Drives New Bistro

Kids at HART

— Thomas Merton

HART Theatre

Celebrating 34 Seasons

When I became the Executive Director of HART in 1990, I could never have imagined how we would grow. In its 34-year history, what began as a small community theater has evolved into one of the region’s major attractions with three stages and an award-winning Bistro. Hundreds of actors have performed on our stage, now scores of young people are involved in our Youth Drama program “Kids at HART,” we have won State, Regional and National awards for our productions, and we have launched the careers of young actors performing in New York and on national tours. We’ve built one of the region’s most beautiful arts facilities and played host to events by Folkmoot, the Haywood County Arts Council, and numerous charities and civic organizations. HART is the site of the Haywood County Farmer’s Market, and in the winter our lobby is donated to the AARP for free tax service. Couples have met while performing in productions and later married on our stage. This is a magical place and we invite you to become a part of the family as a patron, a volunteer, or on our stage.

4 A conversation with Lyn Donley — HART’s ‘MAME’

Kids at HART 8 Growing Up and Into Yourself

Tom Dewees

10 The Man Behind the Curtain

Dramatic Cuisine

12 Harmons’ Den Bistro

The Shelton House 14 Taking the next step

HART 2018

23 A look at this year’s productions Support 25 Members and ways to donate

Executive Director

THEATRE STAFF

Steve Lloyd HART Executive Director

On the cover: Lyn Donley in “Hello Dolly.” John Highsmith photo

Steven Lloyd

Adminstrative Assistant Julie Kinter

Operations Manager

Shop Foreman

David Yeates

Tom Dewees

Scenic Artist Lyle Baskin

Box Office Manager Sherry Gaddis Dewees

Box Office Staff Libba Feichter, Sue Baskin, Martha Bowman, Marshall Casse, Stephen Jarrell, Beth Johnson, Julie Kinter

Volunteers Coordinators

Tiffani Watts & Julie Kinter

HART’s 2018 Season is supported by Grass Roots Funding from the Haywood County Arts Council

This project was supported by the N.C. Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural & Cultural Resources, with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Photography Christy Bishop, John Highsmith HART BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2018 President: Bonnie Smith · Vice President: Jim Janke · Treasurer: Larry East · Secretary: David Eachus Glenn Arnette · Colleen Davis · Bucky Dykes · Phil Haire · Ralph Hamlett · Becky Seymour · Vicki Shaw

Lyn Donley, a longtime HART supporter and performer, in “Hello Dolly” (above). Donley has been in many HART shows, including (opposite page, from top) “Fiddler on the Roof” in 2017, “Nunsense” in 2015, and “Company” in 2015. John

Never Losing Wonder

A conversation with Lyn Donley — HART’s ‘MAME’

Spend some time with Lyn Donley, and you find yourself in the presence of someone who truly loves life, an indestructible boat on the high seas of existence.

That attitude of Donley’s can be directly attributed to her years as a professional actor under the bright lights of Broadway. She took on the roles of people she either had nothing in common with or folks she found true kinship — all of which helped create an honest sense of self when interacting with the world.

Born in Baltimore and raised in Washington D.C., Donley went to school for acting, graduating with a degree in speech and drama from Emerson College in Boston. From there, it was down to New York City, taking the stage up

and down Broadway.

Following Broadway, Donley hit the road in traveling productions, only to find love in Chicago, her home until she and her husband sold everything, bought a boat and sailed around for several years. Eventually, the boat found safe harbor in Fort Lauderdale, where Donley lived and worked as a real estate agent. The couple loved Western North Carolina and moved to Waynesville in the early 2000s.

Though she remains in real estate, Donley soon rekindled her deep love and passion for acting when she was asked to help with fundraising efforts for HART. That role turned into countless others as an onstage actor, one beloved by the community who continually supports the theatre.

Do you remember the first play you did for HART?

Yep. “Jane Eyre,” the musical. I wanted to be in everything. I wanted to be in every show. If I could, I would be in every show.

Why is it a town of 9,800 people has a nationally-renowned theatre company?

It’s unbelievable. I don’t know. There’s the magic of Steve Lloyd, to begin with. He has an aura about him — he attracts talent. It’s pleasant to work there, and there’s this twinkle dust that surrounds the place.

In the time you’ve been at HART, what’s surprised you the most?

The quality of the talent. It’s kind of like the whole arts community here in Western North Carolina — the quality is astounding. We could have moved anywhere in North Carolina from Florida, but we chose Waynesville because it’s a magnet for great people.

Why acting? What about it drew you into it?

I think it was because I was good at it, and I couldn’t not do it. As soon as I got up on that stage, I felt like I had to do it all of a sudden. It just felt right being there, and I still feel that way. When you’re the center of attention, you’ve got a role and you’re singing by yourself, there’s something about that — it’s exciting. It’s a high. And it can go either way, and believe me, it has. [Laughs].

For you, having this second wind with acting, what does it mean to you this time around?

Oh, so much better now. Much less nervous. First of all, the roles are better. I’m not relying on my looks. [Laughs]. I get to play old ladies, mean people, crazy women, people with accents, which I love doing. And sometimes, you just don’t know what comes next, and you get to be all kinds of different people — it’s a challenge. For me, it’s so much more fun now.

— Interview conducted by Garret

K. Woodward

Growing Up and Into Yourself

Kids at HART

Kids at HART was a dream finally realized in the fall of 2016. A program that was planned to develop over time has now exceeded expectations.

“The hope was to provide training and performance opportunities to the youth in our area and to provide opportunities for families to experience the magic of the theatre and the benefits that the arts can bring to all our lives,” said Sheila Sumpter, artistic director of Kids at HART.

Since its inception, Kids at Hart has been able to offer acting classes, a Shakespeare summer camp, community outreach programs, and seven performances of shows including: “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” “Schoolhouse Rock Jr.,” “Charlotte’s Web,” “Shuddersome: Tales of Poe,” The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe,” “Madagascar: A Musical Adventure” and “Junie B. Jones is not a Crook.”

For those youth who want to be involved in theatre not ready or interested in being onstage, Kids at HART offers a training program for techies. The HART technical crews are involved in running the productions with lighting, sound, props and stage management. These young people are often involved in running the tech for the HART Mainstage shows as well.

HART has also had the pleasure of hosting the Barter Players from Abingdon, Virginia, to provide quality theatre performances for school groups to attend throughout Western North Carolina. Recently, they performed to full houses of students from Haywood, Jackson, and Macon counties. They will return to the HART stage again in February 2019.

The upcoming plans are for a Camp HART Experience in the summer of 2018 and the premiere of “the Academy”

in the fall that will bring arts education to children and adults. Of course, Kids at HART will continue with its performances that include at least three plays and one musical.

“This program has grown very quickly and not just in our immediate area. We have had young actors and actresses from Macon, Jackson, and Buncombe counties participate in our productions,” said Steve Lloyd, executive director of HART. “Our Shakespeare camp even attracted young people outside the state and was a tremendous success. None of this would have been possible without the addition of the new Daniel and Belle Fangmeyer Theatre to the HART campus. The new space opened up the schedule, making facilities available for all of these new opportunities for young people.”

Kids at HART is the place where young people get the chance to put on a show on a real stage, with theatrical lighting, costumes and sets, where they get to be in charge of running lights and sound and stage managing.

Though there are fees attached to classes and workshops, there is no charge to be in a show or to be a part of Kids at HART.

“The hope was to provide training and performance opportunities to the youth in our area and to provide opportunities for families to experience the magic of the theatre and the benefits that the arts can bring to all our lives.”

— Sheila Sumpter, artistic director, Kids at HART

The Man Behind the Curtain —

Tom Dewees

They call me the shop foreman here. I build and maintain sets, create props, take care of the building in a variety of ways from minor electrical to plumbing, mow the yard, work a little bit in the Bistro.

People ask every show that comes up, “Are you in the show?” Well, my fingerprints are, at least. Every set piece that rolls across that stage I have something to do with. This will be my 20th year with HART. I’ve been in Haywood County about 15 years. I was born and raised in Jackson County. I went to college some, spent a hitch in the Marine Corps, but my roots are here and this is where they’ll stay.

The origins of my building skills come from my father. He was an MD to begin with, a general practitioner, a true “country doctor.” He had numerous hobbies, with carpentry being one. It’s just been part of life growing up — the fun of creation, of taking a few odd blocks and something plain and, with a little bit of work, you make a useful item or something nice to put on the shelf.

My father died when I was only 12. But, in that short time, he imparted to me a love of a variety of things, mostly the gathering of knowledge. I know he loved theatre. But, he was already pursuing a medical degree, already on-track to be a physician.

The Kudzu Players aren’t an active group anymore. I did mostly acting with them. Of course, with any community theatre, the cast and crew often build the set, gathers the props. It’s absolutely a labor of love. When Kudzu was faltering, I started to do some work with HART. I was friends with some of the members. When the HART main stage first opened in 1997, the first musical they had here was the first time I showed up — “Into the Woods.” I walked into the door and immediately liked the place.

For the last 15 years, I’ve had something to do with every single show at HART. Step outside of here on a clear day and take a look around you. This region, I could’ve gone to a lot of different places, but there’s something so magical about Western North Carolina — I didn’t want to leave.

In the late 1980s, there was a small community theatre group named the Kudzu Players in Sylva. I was telling a story at a party one night and somebody said, “You ought to try out for a show.” On a whim, I did. Through that I discovered something I thought I had lost forever, which was the thrill of performing. I came by that through the music program at Sylva-Webster High School. I was part of the marching band, concert band and jazz band, playing altosaxophone, cymbals and xylophone.

There’s a great diversity of people this place draws. I was taught growing up that you want to try and get to know everybody you can, be welcoming to everyone — this place is welcoming to everyone. It’s your community. You can come into the door with nothing in your hand and we’ll give a script and get you ready to go.

It’s fun to imagine what the set needs to look like, what the audience needs to see, and how to make it work. It’s a wonderfully satisfying feeling to have people see a story unfold in front of them and I’ve helped fill the book for them.

I continue to be incredibly lucky in my life, and that I was allowed to be here at HART to begin with.

— Interview conducted by Garret K. Woodward

Tom Dewees is both master set builder and performer. Some of the shows he has been in include (opposite page) “Into the Woods,” “Urinetown” (below left), and “Charlotte’s Web.” John Highsmith photos

Dishes from the HART

Harmons’ Den Bistro

“It’s been quite the year,” said Christy Bishop.

With a seemingly rare free moment, Bishop, the executive chef at Harmons’ Den Bistro, takes a seat at one of the dining room tables, slowly scanning the room with a sense of curiosity when asked how things have been going.

“We had a profitable year, too,” she smiled. “And the dinner theatre was a huge part of that. People come, get something to eat, and go see a show at the same time.”

For a place that was initially meant to serve just soups and sandwiches, offering a much-needed food option for the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre, the Bistro has far exceeded expectations.

“What has surprised me the most is the level that we’re going to,” Bishop said. “What we started talking about before opening, we opened our doors beyond that. And hav-

ing people wanting more from us has been great — we’re ready to take the next step.”

New this year has been the highly-popular Saturday night karaoke that occurs immediately following a stage production.

“It gets pretty wild,” Bishop chuckled. “There aren’t too many places you can go in town and intentionally come in and sing Broadway show tunes. We even allow folks to bring in their instruments if they’d like to play. We’re kind of a ‘karaoke-open mic’ hybrid.”

That next step is the big transition from their current menu and operating hours to a full dinner menu (appetizers, small plates and entrees) from Thursday to Saturday. Now with a full wine, beer and liquor bar, too, this new chapter will also include a Sunday brunch menu.

“What has surprised me the most is the level that we’re going to … Having people wanting

more from us

has

been

great —

we’re ready to take the next step.”

— Chef Christy Bishop

“It’s whatever we want to do, really,” Bishop noted. “Once the new menu and hours are in place, we’re also looking to be open for dinner on Wednesdays, then to add a lunch menu for all of those days we’re open for dinner.”

Adorning the walls of the Bistro are several 19th century playbills and other theatre memorabilia, something that’s complemented by the theatrical names given to the food dishes.

In regards to the new menu, Bishop will still be taking advantage of Haywood’s Historic Farmer’s Market that’s literally outside her door in the HART parking lot (3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays and 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays). The menu and ambiance will reflect more of a “southerninspired upscale bistro,” according to Bishop.

“We’re also working with Ten Acre Garden in Canton,” Bishop said. “I’ll go find whatever they have that’s freshly available and create the menu around those ingredients, making things really fun for us.”

And Bishop will be the first to encourage her customers to give feedback.

“I’m interested in people’s reactions. Don’t be afraid to give me ideas — come and enjoy us,” Bishop said.

Taking the Next Step

The Shelton House

“There aren’t a whole lot of buildings like this in the county,” noted Mike McLean.

“Historically, it’s very much tied to the birth of Haywood County and the town of Waynesville.”

Wandering the numerous rooms and exhibits filling The Shelton House, McLean pointed out several key items in the vast, ever-growing collection. The building is wellknown and beloved in Waynesville, but, McLean, vice chair of The Shelton House board, will be the first to say that folks are just scratching the surface as to what the site is and — most importantly — can be in the coming years.

“This property is a three-way partnership between the house, HART and the Haywood’s Historic Farmer’s Market,” McLean said. “With The Shelton House, we’re trying to shift our focus beyond being the Museum of North Car-

olina Handicrafts. We want to also focus on the historic nature of the Shelton family and creating more alliances with the heritage in Haywood County itself.”

In 2017, The Shelton House launched the “Crafter Showcase,” where they bring in one local artisan each month (April to October) to display, sell their work, and come onsite the third Saturday of the month to host a live demonstration of their craft for visitors.

“The showcase really connects the community and gives local artists a kind of studio space to work within,” said Andrea Long, managing director of The Shelton House.

“We’re really trying this year to provide events every week, so people have a reason to keep coming back here and seeing what we’re all about.”

During the Haywood’s Historic Farmer’s Market, The

Shelton House will be offering crafting and playtime activities for children while parents peruse the vendors and/or swing into the nearby Harmons’ Den Bistro. Once again this fall the “Ghosts & Growlers” adult costume party will take place at The Shelton House — a sold-out event last year.

In 2018, nine of the 12 Shelton House board members are less than two years into their role, something of a changing of the guard. Those new board members are leading the property toward more positive growth.

“The board is a combination of people who are deeply connected to the history of Haywood County and the overall importance of The Shelton House — historically and moving forward,” McLean said.

“What’s funny is that people from out-of-town know more about The Shelton House than the local community does,” Long added. “Everything in this house and on the site not only has a historical connection, but also a cultural one, which we tend to lose in this digital age. It’s quite dynamic, and it gives back to the community. To celebrate and to learn about that culture — your culture — is so important.”

2018 SHELTON HOUSE BOARD

Sarah Jane League...................................................................................Chair

Mike McLean........................................Vice Chair, HART Representative

Doug Burchfield.................................................Fundraising, Governance and Nominating Committees

Evelyn Coltman.........................Building & Grounds Committee Chair

Sharon Conner......................................................Fundraising Committee

Russ Harris..........................................................................Audit Committee

Tina Masciarelli.................................................................Media Committee

Mark Pinkston.............................................................Governance, Finance and Nominating Committees

Joe Sam Queen.............................................................Building & Grounds and Fundraising Committees

Pamela Reece............................................Fundraising Committee Chair

Dannehl Strautz...................................................Collection & Acquisition and Media Committees

Tommy Thomas..............................................Audit, Building & Grounds, Board Development, Nominating and Media Committees

www.ncsmokies.com

— William Shakespeare

2018 SEASON

Sense and Sensibility

y By Kate Kamill based on the novel by Jane Austin

y Directed by Henry Williamson

April 27 – May 13

MAME

y By Jerry Herman

y Directed by Steve Lloyd

July 6 – 29

Over the River and Through the Woods

y By Joe DiPietro

y Directed by Candice Dickenson

Sept. 28 – Oct. 14

Million Dollar Quartet

y By Colin Escott and Floy Mutrux

y Directed by Steve Lloyd

May 18 – June 10

The

Field

y By John Keane

y Directed by David Yeats

Aug. 3 – 19

The Bad Seed

y By Maxwell Anderson

y Directed by Wanda Taylor

Oct. 19 – Nov. 4

The Underpants

y By Steve Martin

y Directed by Jeff Messer

June 15 – July 1

GHOST The Musical

y By

y

Aug. 24 – Sept. 9

Seating for the Fangmeyer Theatre is flexible and may change. Visit www.harttheatre.org for the seating chart for a specific production.

Tickets available by Phone or Online: 828-456-6322 or www.harttheatre.org

HART accepts personal checks and all major credit cards. Without a Special Membership or a Non-Flex Pass, a credit card number is required to hold reservations.

OTHER INFORMATION

OPENING NIGHTS

Come join the cast in celebrating the official unveiling of each show with complimentary food and drink in our lobby following the performance.

“FAMILY FRIENDLINESS” ADVISORY

Most HART productions are suitable for junior high school students and older. Some are recommended for mature audiences. We have tried to note those in this publication but our Box Office staff will be happy to provide guidance in selecting the best shows to share with your family.

BECOME A VOLUNTEER

All of our Box Office staff, ushers, and concession people are volunteers and we are always looking for more people to pitch in. To become involved, e-mail us at harttheater@gmail.com with your contact info. If you want to get involved in a production, working lights, sound or backstage crew, come by during auditions and sign up with the stage manager.

VISIT US ONLINE

Go to www.harttheatre.org for more information about HART shows and to sign up for our e-mail newsletter, which will alert you to each new production and give you more information about events at the Performing Arts Center at the Shelton House.

Shelton House

SPECIAL MEMBERSHIPS

The Producer’s Circle

Per Couple: $1,200

Single: $600

All Producer’s Circle Funds are used for debt retirement.

Producer’s Circle Membership Includes:

• Admission to all HART events at the Performing Arts Center including The Underpants Dinner Theatre with stage-side table seating.

• Annual Producer’s Circle Reception.

• Complimentary Beverages and Concession Items at each HART regular Main Stage production.

• One Bottle (per couple) of Premium Wine at The Underpants Dinner Theatre.

• Admission to all Swannanoa Chamber Music Festival events.

• Playbill Recognition as a 2018 Season Supporter.

The Director’s Guild

Per Couple: $600

Single: $300

The Director’s Guild supports HART’s ongoing operations, the HART internship program, the Rodwell Gallery, and equipment upgrades in the Performing Arts Center.

Director’s Guild Membership Includes:

• Admission to all HART events at the Performing Arts Center including The Underpants Dinner Theatre with stage-side table seating.

• Complimentary glass of House Wine at each HART Main Stage event.

• Playbill Recognition as a 2018 Season Supporter.

HARThrob Membership

Per Couple: $400* (Up to a $516 Value)

Single: $200* (Up to a $258 Value)

• Admission to all eight HART Main Stage Productions including The Underpants Dinner Theatre.

• Admission to two Feichter Studio shows.

• Complimentary House Wine or Beverage (Eight for Couples or Four for Single).

• Playbill Recognition as a 2018 Season Supporter.

Season Flex Passes

The Golden Flex Pass

$160* Each

(Up to a $214 Value)

Good for eight admissions to HART’s Main Stage productions including one admission to The Underpants Dinner Theatre.

The Senior Golden Flex Pass

$150* Each

(Up to a $198 Value)

Good for eight admissions to HART’s Main Stage productions including one admission to The Underpants Dinner Theatre.

The Silver Flex Pass

$130* Each (Up to a $172 Value)

Good for six admissions to HART’s Main Stage productions including one admission to The Underpants Dinner Theatre.

The Senior Silver Flex Pass

$120* Each

(Up to a $160 Value)

Good for six admissions to HART’s Main Stage productions including one admission to The Underpants Dinner Theatre.

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