Harwich Junior Theatre

CONTACT:

PO 168
West Harwich, MA 02671
508-432-2002-ext 12
www.hjtcapecod.org

Nina Schuessler, Producing Artistic Director

DESCRIPTION:

HJT began in 1952 with a production of Cinderella in the Town Hall, paid for by a $100 donation from the Harwich Recreation Commission. In 1964 it lost its donated headquarters, so it purchased Ocean Hall, a 125 year-old building and turn-of-the-century movie house with a 200-seat auditorium. Gradually this has been modernized.

Now, with 12 productions every year including world premieres, HJT is Cape Cod's premier family theatre, recognized as one of the nation's leading playhouses for young artists and audiences (now numbering 20,000 annually). In 1997 it received the New England Theatre Conference Award for excellence in educational theatre. HJT won the 2002 Community Newspapers Readers Choice Award in two categories: Best Place to See Theatre on the Lower Cape and Best Place for Family Entertainment. HJT was also recently awarded the Reader’s Choice Award for Best Theatre on Cape Cod for 2003.

HJT provides young people with a unique opportunity to explore and expand their creative talents and aspirations, to develop and foster a love and full appreciation of theatre, and to entertain. Its programs vary from Shakespeare every October, to musical comedies, to new works by young playwrights, to commedia dell'arte of the late Italian Renaissance, to Sign Language productions, ethnic theatre, plays on youth issues, and classics of theatre or literary history (adapted). All students participate in all aspects of theatrical production, from backstage to the front of the house.

HJT presents matinee performances and classroom visits to 10,000 children. It also enrolls 600 students per year at the theatre and reaches hundreds more in educational outreach programs. By enabling kids to explore and expand their creative talents, HJT is fostering an appreciation of the theatre for generations to come. Help them in their mission.

(1997: CULTURE: Arts: Performing: Theatre and Film)