HART THEATRE 2020-2021

JOHN HIGHSMITH AND HIS FAMILY

A HART THEATRE SUPPORTER

ONE OF WAYNESVILLE, NC LEADING CITIZENS AND GREAT HART THEATRE SUPPORTER!

When you hear the name of John Highsmith, you say TOP DENTIST!
DDS, Cosmetic, General and Implant Dentist.
But wait, he is a fantastic family man, a professional "artist" photographer (Underwater, Landscapes and People), an actor and Director, a former HART PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD including his photography of all of the professional shows and so much more.

John is married to Sandra Hayes who is dedicated to numerous organizations ( Quick Draw) and charity fundraisers for the area and who loves being involved with Hart and the "Kids at HART" program under the Direction of Shelia Radford Sumpter. She is vivacious and her excitement in life exudes joy and happiness everywhere. They have a daughter, Becky Highsmith, who is a brilliant makeup artist and model and a son Mark Highsmith who was an intern at HART for a year and an actor who will soon marry his bride to be, Cierra!

Combine that with a magnificent country lifestyle, two dog guards, and a flowering yard completely decorated with colors of Chihuly Glass Art and you have yourself a family so dedicated to helping make things better for so many people!

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE HIGHSMITHS FROM THE HART FAMILY!

NAN WILLIAMSON

SALUTING ONE OF OUR BEST:

NAN WILLIAMSON!

Nan Williamson: a person responsible for the technical details of a theatrical production, assisting the director during the rehearsal, supervising the lighting, costume, setting, prompting, etc. and assuming full responsibility for the stage during the performance of the play! STAGE MANAGER!
Nan is one of the most respected stage managers in Western North Carolina. She is precise and very professional when working her shows. You are guaranteed that your props will be there and there will be an organization in place for the entire production!

We are so fortunate to have Nan Williamson on the HART THEATRE TEAM in Waynesville! CONGRATULATIONS!

EMILY WARREN MC CURRY

Grab interest

September 27 ·

A QUESTION FROM A STEPHEN SONDHEIM MUSICAL, "WHO'S THAT WOMAN, I KNOW HER WELL!"

Who is that woman that always has a smile on her face? A person who has been in theatre for years and truly enjoys performing and working behinds the scenes as well? Now, again, she is a Member of the Board of Directors of HART THEATRE working in organization and marketing and waiting for the theatre to reopen so she can audition for those upcoming roles in the 2021 season.

THERE SHOULD BE NO QUESTION about this person!
It is Emily Warren McCurry.

Presently, Emily is the Financial Advisor AAMS at Edward Jones located at 101 S, Main Street in Waynesville, NC just a couple of blocks away from her stage!

Her love for HART was proven when she decided to have her wedding to Evan McCurry at the Fangmeyer Theatre at HART!
Now that was a production and a lovely event!

Today she is working with Candice Dickinson and together with the Board of Directors are planning many wonderful events for the future, including virtual productions for October, November and December. When the time comes, you can't imagine what excitement there will be when the re-opening plans are announced and HART THEATRE RETURNS TO IT REGULAR SCHEDULE!

CONGRATULATIONS, EMILY AND THANK YOU!

THE CAST OF "MAME!"

THE MEMORIES OF MAME, THE MUSICAL, AT HART THEATRE!
July, 2018

"MAME" is a musical with the book by Jerome Lawrence and Robert Edwin Lee. Originally titled "My Best Girl," it is based on the 1955 novel "Auntie Mame" by Patrick Dennis and a 1956 Broadway play by Lawrence and Lee, that starred Rosalind Russell.

However in 2018, Steve Lloyd stepped into the "Directors Spotlight" and Sarah Fowler conducted the orchestra and brought the musical "MAME" with a score by Jerry Herman to the HART THEATRE MAIN STAGE! This time it starred Lyn Donley as Mame and Stephen A. Gonya as Beauregard Jackson Picket Burnside, Janice Vertucci Schreiber as Vera, and Karen Covington Yow as Gooch.

It was one of those magical theatre nights in Waynesville, NC.
with packed houses, standing ovations and people humming those favorite musical numbers as they were leaving the theatre.

We need this Covid pandemic to end where theatres around the world can bring audiences back together creating new memories for the future!

Enjoy the pictures and tag those you know. Also, share with your friends!

"Light the candles. Get the ice out. Roll the rug up. It's today!"

LYN DONLEY AS MAME

STEPHEN A. GONYA AS BEAUREGARD

SPOTLIGHT ON CHARLES MILLS!

It all started with 2 lines in the production of "Camelot" back in 1989 and role in "Annie" in 1992 at the HART THEATRE, when Charles Mills began his historic run as an actor, director and later (1999) a brilliant graphic designer producing the theatre posters, programs, newsletters, banners and so much more. His collaboration lasted with Steve Lloyd, HART THEATRE'S Artistic Director, for many, many years and together art, design and creative theatre became a main focus of presentation of quality work for the public.

Truly, just a walk around the theatres at HART will give an opportunity to see many framed designed poster Charles created over the years!

After school and in 1999, Charles Mills was asked to become the Graphic Designer for HART and his creative juices began to flow and his talents would not offer anything less than perfection.

Also during his years while working for HART, he was an actor and performed in productions of "Into The Woods," "The Diviner's," "Twelve Angry Men," "Parade," "Coyote On A Fence," "Art," "Little Foxes" and so many others.

Then he was a director for over 18 shows including "Funny Thing Happened On The Way to The Forum," "Sweeney Todd," "Full Monty," " Cabaret," "Avenue Q," " Pillow Man" just to mention a few. Believe me when I say he was and is a hands on person, as he moved and helped design sets for his productions as well as being involved with the lighting! When Charles was in charge of his productions, you had reason to believe it was going to be a show!

Charles was born in Waynesville and is a true native about everything positive for this area. Today he is a Freelance Graphic Designer and sought by many and his creativity shines on everything he touches!

CONGRATULATIONS CHARLES! and thank you from all of your friends at HART for the many years of work. Time for you to return to the HART STAGES and let us see your acting, directing and dancing talents. Wait, I have gone too far! Forget the dancing!

(Please share with friends!)

ELIZABETH FEICHTER AND STEVE LLOYD

WE'VE GROWN ACCUSTOMED TO HER FACE!
It is Elizabeth Feichter, known to all of us as "Libba!"

Where does the word HART in "Hart Theatre" come from?
It started with a dream, involved a number of local people and finally the conversations turned from chatter to reality!
Give credit where credit is due!

From the days we shared together at McClenaghan High School in Florence, SC until today in Waynesville, NC Elizabeth Feichter has and always will be a leader.

Her connection to the beginnings of the HART THEATRE and when Steve Lloyd arrived on the scene to become the Artistic Director, together they along with many others dreamed that little dream into three theatres. (Main Stage, Feichter Studio and the Fangmeyer Theatre) The Feichter Studio which is named for Libba and her husband Rex, hosts the Winter studio season and is one of the most popular theatres for actors and audiences alike!

Now some 30 years later and with her love for Waynesville and after all the years working with Steve Lloyd, together they still are the dynamic duo of HART THEATRE.

If there are questions, if there are concerns, if advice is needed, Libba is called and she is always there ready to help!
She has served in every capacity from a Board member, President of the Board and now an Emeritus Board Member.

We will always remember her smiling face and those days when she worked in the box office! Once Covid ends, she will be back and greeting all of us again!

Thank you, Libba, for those years past and the ones you will be involved in for the future, Continue your journey to make theatre history for Western North Carolina!

SHELIA RADFORD SUMPTER AND "KIDS AT HART!"

"KIDS AT HART" THEATRE READY TO EXPLODE WITH EXCITING PRODUCTIONS WHEN THE THEATRE
REOPENS!

A fleeting moment and they grow up and take that special journey through life!

I remember stepping on a stage for my first time as a "angel" at the tomb of Jesus in Florence, SC in Timrod Park at Easter Service and my second time as "Jack" in Jack and the Beanstalk at the Florence Little Theatre.

It has been like a click of the finger and today I am living in Waynesville, NC enjoying our HART THEATRE and the productions by the "KIDS AT HART" under the direction of Shelia Radford Sumpter and her daughter, Nichole Sumpter!
I can see the sparkle in those eyes and the eagerness for performing, but we wait for Covid!

How important theatre can be! "KIDS AT HART" stay busy.
They have acting classes, makeup classes, theatre camp and so much more. They do extravagant musicals and plays. They always fill up an auditorium and are invited frequently around the area to perform.

How lucky for HART THEATRE that we have someone truly interested with this program and has the professional background to offer the best training and experience necessary. Wait! I said the BEST TRAINING!

Then Covid comes along and it is a different story! However, that did not stop our young actors! Virtual programing and performance created a new opportunity for our KIDS! Our group never stopped and because of that, they continued their friendships and experiences as usual!

When the theatre reopens after Covid is under control, Shelia already has a variety of productions ready for the audiences once again! There is no doubt that KIDS AT HART will return better than ever. "KIDS AT HART" are even in the conversations of the professionals in New York because of the talents of Shelia Radford Sumpter.

So, Kids, enjoy your exciting times. We all regret that Covid slowed your opportunities and some the lights did not shine for a few months, but you are just beginning! We will be looking for you and applauding whatever your endeavors may be! Can't wait to see you on the stage again!

THIS IS ONE PRODUCTION YOU DO NOT WANT TO MISS!

JOHN CRAWLEY TO PLAY GEORGE GERSHWIN!

WHEN THEATRE RETURNS, YOU MUST BE THERE!

And you thought the Covid-19 would keep HART THEATRE in Waynesville, NC from bringing to its stage the show we promised you last year! When the World is ready, it will be one of the first productions back on our stage and what a musical it will be! Remember with us the songs like.....

"I've Got A Crush On You!"
"Embraceable You"
"Fascinating Rhythm"
"Summertime"
"I've Got Rhythm"
" 'S Wonderful"
"Somebody Loves Me"
"A Foggy Day"
"How Long Has This Been Going On!"
"They Can't Take That Away From Me!"
"Strike Up The Band!"
.....and many many more!

I can't wait to announce, "LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, GEORGE GERSHWIN!" Then you will see one of the most talented musicians on the Main Stage at HART THEATRE as he entertains his closest friends in his Riverside Apartment in New York City!

John Crawley will be George Gershwin and when the lights go do low and he sits at his piano and plays "Rhapsody In Blue" you will be there, too!

The top musical talents from the Western North Carolina area will be performing some of the most memorable songs of that time and we are sure you will be humming or singing along and being a part of a fun party!

People of the theatre are devastated by the pandemic and ready to be back on the stage for their audiences. Believe me, when that time comes, we will be ready!

So, start telling your friends about 'S WONDERFUL!
It is the kind of production that will bring us back to those glorious memories and live theatre!

If you were at STARDUST, 2019, you certainly want to be at the HART THEATRE next season when 'S WONDERFUL will pack the house once again!

(Please share and tell your friends about us!)

GEORGE GERSHWIN

The man, his music, his friends and his fantastic parties!

Directed by Glenn Arnette and Shelia Radford Sumpter!

HART THEATRE PRODUCTION SCHEDULED FOR SUMMER 2021

Musical Director John Crawley!

BRUCE DONLEY, LYN DONLEY, BELLE FANGMEYER, DAN FANGMEYER

BRUCE DONLEY, MAN OF THE HOUR!

THEY CALL HIM BRUCE, BRUCE DONLEY, THAT IS!

Lyn and Bruce Donley are two bright STARS shinning for the HART THEATRE!

Lyn Donley is a "STAR" performer and on the "Real Team of Re/Max" and Bruce Donley is the man that keeps HART THEATRE and the technical aspects of the facility up and running. As a team, they are "The Couple of the Year!

But for today, it is your turn!
These are your moments, BRUCE DONLEY!

First of all, I personally could never thank you enough for your friendship. Needless to say you have thousands more called friends who truly respect and care for you, your advice and personality! You are the walking encyclopedia and can dream and accomplish your technical visions without even worrying about it and bring joy to so many people each and every day!

You and HART THEATRE go hand in hand. Your work with sound help to correct problems and has given our audiences so many opportunities to hear the musicals and dramatic productions. You volunteer work is amazing and the giving of your time certainly proves to all that you are a real supporter of the HART THEATRE. Even your dedication to the "KIDS AT HART" and working with Shelia Radford Sumpter, the Director, shows that love for what you do!

When working with you on the "STARDUST", you made our sound for the production, the first and best sound for the FANGEMYER THEATRE and the audiences heard every musical note and love it!

Your quality concepts to make things right the first time, makes you extremely unique in your knowledge of product selection and the know how to put it together properly. It is amazing how many people need help and say, get Bruce Donley!

You are the gentle giant who enjoys a good cocktail and a delicious meal and the charm of your wife, Lyn. There is not a show, rehearsal, theatre meeting where someone does not need your help. And, you never let HART THEATRE and the talents down!

CONGRATULATIONS, BRUCE DONELY! You give a DAMN!
We need more believers like you for HART!

(Please share with friends and family!)

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LESLIE LANG, ACTRESS

SHE IS AN ACTRESS AND A DARLING OF THE THEATRE!

Leslie Lang is a HART THEATRE actress and performs in other major theatres throughout the Western North Carolina area. She's a model, she sings, she dances and is a business woman. There is never a dull moment in the life of Leslie and her husband, James Lang!

The Langs live in Asheville and work in the City. They stay busy but enjoy the life of Riley on the weekends on their boat near Murphy, NC. However, Leslie takes time out to be a part of the theatre families. Of course with Covid-19 all actors have been out of business until the theatres re-open sometime next Season 2021.

She was in "STARDUST" in the FANGMEYER THEATRE at HART and got rave reviews for her performance. Recently she was a model and worked with Lisa Hoffman and was stunning in the creation of the dragon in the Costume Drama: A Fashion Show, a fund raiser for the ACT Theatre in Asheville. Now those two ladies together are a real team!

With many shows under her belt and I am sure quite a few more will follow, this STAR was seen in "Nunsense," "Company," "Facility for Living," "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do" and so many more productions.

What makes Leslie run? There is no question! It is her personality, her husband, James, the friends, an audience, her desire to see people happy and most of all her adorable Mom, Lorna! Put it all together and it spells, "She's found happiness!"

How lucky we have been to enjoy her talents. Hang on, everyone, she is just beginning and there is more to come!
CONGRATULATIONS: LESLIE LANG!

VIRTUAL THEATRE FROM HART!

FUN, HYSTERICAL AND FANTASTIC TALENT!

A MUST SEE!