{"id":1023,"date":"2020-10-07T14:53:35","date_gmt":"2020-10-07T20:53:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/2020.drapertheatre.org\/?page_id=1023"},"modified":"2020-10-09T13:15:59","modified_gmt":"2020-10-09T19:15:59","slug":"about-dht","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/2020.drapertheatre.org\/?page_id=1023","title":{"rendered":"About DHT"},"content":{"rendered":"

Our History<\/h1>\n

From Pearl to Gem<\/p>\n

The story began in 1938, when the Annie Pearl and John A. Howell family built a movie house in Draper-“The Pearl” was born. Vaudeville acts started off the evening and a movie or two would follow. Even a few big names, like Tex Ritter, graced the stage of “The Pearl”. During the depression, a bag of groceries was given away every Friday night.<\/p>\n

Locals felt fortunate to have a first run theatre right in their small town. For many generations this building, now on the Draper Historic Register, served as a gathering place for the south end of the valley. Tales are told (by now upstanding citizens) of a cherry bomb or two set off during shows and of sneaking buddies in through the back door.<\/p>\n

Fast forward fifty years, when the theater was purchased by educators Charles and Vanessa Nelson. This dedicated couple added theatrical lighting and sound and expanded the stage, enabling the presentation of live shows, making DHT the only privately owned live theater in the south Salt Lake Valley.<\/p>\n

From small beginnings-“Don’t Count Your Chickens Before They Cry Wolf”-to full productions of favorite plays and musicals, the theater grew to what could be called “the best kept secret in the valley.”<\/p>\n

In 1998, Draper Historic Theatre became a non-profit organization. Three years later, Vanessa retired as manager-leaving the non-profit board, headed by Artistic Director Kevin McClellan and Board Chair Rhonda Neiswender, to manage the theater and produce the events. DHT’s reputation continues to grow as a great place for quality family entertainment – and a great place for youth and adults to spread their wings in the arts. Propelled forward by a mostly volunteer staff and guild, the stage is now set for an even loftier future for DHT.<\/p>\n

Written by Jill Mueller and Katie Shell<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Board of Directors<\/h1><\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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Craig Haycock: Chair \/ General ManagerChair \/ General Manager<\/h3><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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Eldon Randall: Executive Producer<\/h3><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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Casey Dean<\/p>\n

Treasurer<\/h3><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Brett Haymond: Accounting & Donations<\/h3><\/div>

Accounting & Donations<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Other Directors: <\/p>\n
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Marc Navez<\/p>\n

Vice Chair<\/p>\n

Danielle Ellis<\/p>\n

Executive Marketing<\/p>\n

Pauline Mendes<\/p>\n

Grant Manager<\/p>\n

Jeanie Southwick<\/p>\n

Fundraising & Sponsorships<\/p>\n

AJ Clayson<\/p>\n

Public Relations Officer<\/p>\n

Dave Ellis<\/p>\n

Compliance Officer<\/p>\n<\/div><\/h3><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Our Value<\/h2><\/div>

The Draper Historic Theatre (DHT) creates opportunities for community members to develop and share their theatrical talents with friends and family. Participants of all ages have the opportunity to act, sing, dance or learn the technical aspects of theatre including lighting, sound design, costuming, and set construction. Four of the six shows are musicals, which allow whole families to participate in the performance. Each year, a special DHT Kidz performance is slated creating the opportunity for as many as 120 children under the age of 18 to perform on stage.<\/p>\n

The value of DHT comes in its affordability and accessibility. With DHT being strictly not for profit, none of the actors are paid, nor are they charged to perform. This creates the opportunity for aspiring actors or even local housewives to perform and gain experience on a smaller stage. It also allows for cost effective ticket prices.<\/p>\n

The Draper Historic Theatre has strong cultural and historical significances to the community. In 1938, Annie Pearl and John A. Howell family built a movie house named \u201cThe Pearl.\u201d Vaudeville performances would start off the evening followed by a movie or two. Many locals felt fortunate to have a first run theatre right in their small town. For many generations this building, now on the Draper Historic Register, served as a gathering place for the south end of the valley. In 1988, the theater was purchased by Charles and Vanessa Nelson, who added theatrical lighting, sound and expanded the stage, enabling the presentation of live shows. With humble beginnings, DHT grew into what could be called \u201cthe best kept secret in the valley.\u201d Ten years later, DHT became a non-profit organization and in 2004 the Board of Directors purchased the building from the Nelsons through a major fund raising effort. Having the organization purchase the building allows for the theater to truly belong to the Draper community.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Our Mission Statement<\/h2>\n

Draper Historic Theatre, a non-profit organization, enriches families, individuals and the community by providing positive artistic experiences in theatre – including affordable, wholesome entertainment and pleasant, edifying performance and educational opportunities.<\/p>\n

Guiding Values<\/h4>\n