For over 40 years, Hart County Community Theatre has been bringing the community of Hartwell, Georgia quality amateur productions, musical events and children’s entertainment.
2025 – 2026 Season
Fall – Into The Woods
Winter – Holiday One Acts
Winter – The Diary of Anne Frank
Spring – Musical – Mamma Mia
Community Events
July – Monologues from the Hart
October – Harvey’s Haunted Theatre
Christmas – The Night Before the Night Before
2024 – 2025 Season
Fall – The Mousetrap
Winter – Mary Poppins
Winter – To Kill A Mockingbird
Spring – Musical – Matilda
Summer Workshops
Jr. Drama Camp – Beetlejuice, JR.
Kids Drama Camp – Madagascar, JR.
Community Events
July – Pop-Up-Paint Night with April Garner
August – Taylor Swift Eras Tour Viewing, a Jr. Board Event
August – Agatha Christie Murder Mystery Night
October – Harvey’s Haunted Theatre
Christmas – The Night Before the Night Before
Board of Directors 2024-2025
- Lani Sessoms – President
- Margo Seagraves – Vice-President
- Donna McDowell – Treasurer
- Sarah Martell – Secretary
- Lori Forster
- Kristin Joyner
- Sanna Laird
- Elizabeth Murphy
- Amber Pennington
- Lee Sessoms
- Bradley Sullivan
2023 – 2024 Season
Fall – Little Shop of Horrors
Winter – Holiday – A Christmas Story
Winter – Noises Off
Spring – Musical – The Wizard of Oz
Community Events
Christmas – The Night Before the Night Before
Board of Directors 2023-2024
- Lani Sessoms – President
- Margo Seagraves – Vice-President
- Donna McDowell – Treasurer
- Sarah Martell – Secretary
- Lori Forster
- Kristin Joyner
- Sanna Laird
- Elizabeth Murphy
- Amber Pennington
- Lee Sessoms
- Bradley Sullivan
2022 – 2023 Season
Fall – Mystery/Drama – And Then There Were None
Winter – Holiday – A Christmas Carol (Mortimer)
Winter – Comedy – Cheaper By The Dozen
Spring — Musical – The Sound of Music
Summer Workshops
Juniors’ Workshop – The Little Mermaid, Jr.
Children’s Workshop – Seussical KIDS
Special Events
Harvey’s Midnight Carnival of Illusions
Christmas – The Night Before the Night Before
Board of Directors
| President: Christopher Milford | Vice-President: Lani Sessoms |
| Secretary: Donna McDowell | Treasurer: Kerri Pruitt |
Members of the Board
- Kay Cleveland
- Lori Forster
- Donna McDowell
- Elizabeth Murphy
- Kerri Pruitt
- Kerilee Pruitt
- Crystal Thompson
- Kevin Thompson
Department Chairmen
- Facilities: Kevin Thompson
- Front of House: Kerri Pruitt
- Production: Lizz Murphy
- Publicity: Christopher Milford
- Special Events: Kerilee Pruitt
- Tech-Ops: Lani Sessoms
- Web Services: Lori Forster
Committees
- Michael Blackston
- Sandra English
- Sanna Laird
- Jeff Hearn
- Sarah Martell
- Kim Reynolds
- Lee Sessoms
2021 – 2022 Season
Fall –
Holiday –
Winter – Drama – The Secret Garden
Spring – Drama – Mr. Long Said Nothing
Summer Workshops
Kids Production – Willy Wonka Kids
Jr. Production – Alice in Wonderland
Special Events
Motown with Dre Hilton
A Blue Christmas featuring Stewart Chapman
Stewart Chapman: A Gospel Tribute to the King
Christmas – The Night Before the Night Before
President – Christopher Milford
Vice-President – Lani Sessoms
Lani Sessoms has been involved in the Dramatic Arts, in multiple capacities, for over thirty years. She began in her teens as a costumer, participating in regional and national contests, earning her title of Master Costumer before she was twenty. She then apprenticed with an armorer and began working at Renaissance Festivals, both as a craftsman and a performer. Lani began acting throughout the Atlanta area in 2001 and appeared in well over fifty productions. In 2005, Lani won the Metro Atlanta Theater Award for Best Lead Actress in a Musical. Lani also served as the Costume Director for many productions, and her work was twice nominated for MAT awards. After directing several productions, she began working exclusively with children’s theater and helped to develop an acting program for children in the Marietta theatrical community. Using her years of experience, Lani created a successful Drama and Arts program for the Montessori Schools of Georgia, where she taught Drama for eighteen years. Lani holds a B.S.E. in Social Sciences. She also serves on a volunteer board for a literary convention.
Kerri Pruitt – Treasurer
Donna McDowell – Secretary
Donna and her husband Clyde live in Hartwell and care for her mother. She is enjoying her position as secretary for Historic Hart County Community Theatre. Since retiring from 29 years as a middle school band director of Hart County Middle School in 2017, she has opened her own music studio from her home and she manages Sanders Mobile Home Park on Lake Hartwell. She also serves as pianist and vocalist for The Way Church worship team. She has lost count of how many musicals she has performed in either on stage or in the pit as an orchestra member. However, she has enjoyed getting to know the theater folks in Hartwell and Elberton in Beauty and the Beast, Will Rogers Follies, Oliver, Guys and Dolls, Shrek, and Celtic Christmas. However, recently she was in The Country of Music at HHCCT and loved performing in Thoroughly Modern Millie. On her bucket list is to visit all of the US National Parks.
Department Chairmen
- Facilities: Kevin Thompson
- Fundraising: Donna McDowell
- Production: Lizz Murphy
- Publicity: Christopher Milford
- Special Events: Kerilee Pruitt
- Tech-Ops: Lani Sessoms
- Web Services: Lori Forster
Members at Large
- Aoyca Freeman
- Crystal Thompson
- Kay Cleveland
2020 – 2021 Season
Harvey’s Honkey Tonk
Summer Workshops
Children’s Workshop – The Jungle Book KIDS
Juniors’ Workshop – Peter Pan Jr.
2019-2020 Season
The Miracle Worker
Written by William Gibson
The story of Helen Keller and her teacher, Annie Sullivan. Adapted for the stage by William Gibson.
A Christmas Carol
Adapted by Romulus Linney
A holiday classic! The Romulus Linney adaptation of Dicken’s tale of Scrooge, Marley, Tiny Tim, and what it really means to have Christmas in your heart.
NUNSENSE – A Musical Comedy
Dan Goggin’s hilarious musical comedy of hi-jinks and habits from the nuns of The Little Sisters of Hoboken.
The Cactus Wildcat – A Wild West Children’s Production
A wild west romp with Cowboys, Indians, a sheriff, a desperado, and …a princess? This children’s department production will be sure to be fun for the whole family!
2018-2019 Season
2017-2018 Season
Steel Magnolias
Aristocrats Kids – A Children’s Worshop
A Night of One Acts
Maddi: An Original Musical
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
The Night Before the Night Before
The Vagina Monologues
Special Events
Rocky Horror Picture Show
RHPS 101
Harvey’s Haunted Theatre
Toys For Tots Fundraiser
Tellebration
The Night Before the Night Before
2016-2017 Season
Leave It All On Stage
‘night, Mother
Dearly Departed
Children’s One Acts
Steel Magnolias
2015-2016 Season
2014-2015 Season
Parfumerie
2013-2014 Season
2012-2013 Season
Fairytale Courtroom
The Works of Shel Silverstein
Thoroughly Modern Millie – Directed by Ann Pitts
Community Events
Trivia With the Doctors
2nd Annual Mardi Gras Ball – Saturday, February 9, 2013
The Grand Ballroom at Cateechee Golf Club
Music by the Half Dozen Brass Band of Athens, Georgia halfdozenbrassband.com
Cajun Buffet
Oysters Eleanor with Cheddar & Andouille Sausage Red Beans & Rice Shrimp & Crawfish Etouffee over White Rice Chicken & Shrimp Jambalaya Stewed Tomatoes & Okra with Andouille Sausage Sautéed Squash & Zucchini Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce Tea, Water and Coffee
Tickets
$65 each, $120 Couple or a table of 8 for $450 Call 706 376-5599 to reserve your place
All proceeds go towards the building renovation projects.
2012 – 2013 HCCT Board of Directors:
- Ann Pitts – President
- Margaret Sanders – Vice-President
- Madeline Ramsdell – Secretary
- Stephanie Crump – Treasurer
- Barbara Bruce
- Jennie Evans
- Marcie Garringer
- Walter Gordon
- Bill Griggs
- Tina Howard
- Clive Smith
- Student Representatives: Breanna Alexander, Allison Atkins and Sam Brown
Our office manager is Margaret Jesser.
2011-2012 Season
“Fairy Tale Courtoom”, directed by Darcy Kelley Lamanna. The show dates are February 24, and 25, 2012 at 8:00 p.m. and February 26, 2012 at 2:30 p.m. and the following weekend, March 2, and 3, 2012 at 8:00 p.m. and March 4, 2012 at 2:30 p.m.
“Nunsense Jamboree”, directed by Pam Gordon. The show dates are May 4, and 5, 2012 at 8:00 p.m. and May 6, 2012 at 2:30 p.m. and the following weekend, May 11 and 12, 2012 at 8:00 p.m. and May 13, 2012 at 2:30 p.m.
2010-2011 Season
Olde Tyme Variety Show: August 20, 21, 22, 2010
A Bad Year For Tomatoes directed by Kayla Hill: November 5, 6, 7, and 12, 13, 14, 2010
TELLABRATION! An Afternoon Of Worldwide Storytelling: Sunday, November 21 at 2:30 PM
THE NIGHT BEFORE THE NIGHT BEFORE: Thursday, December 23, 2010 at 7:00 PM
GREATER TUNA – a reprise from the Elbert Theatre December 2010 (Details to be announced later)
THE DIXIE SWIM CLUB directed by Jimmy Burdette: January 21, 22, 23 and January 28, 29, 30, 2011
A LITTLE PRINCESS directed by Darcy Kelley: March 4, 5, 6 and March 11, 12, 13, 2011
THE WILL ROGERS FOLLIES directed by Ann Pitts: May 6, 7, 8 and 13, 14, 15, 2011
2008-2009 HCCT Board of Directors:
- Dianne Brookins
- Walter Gordon
- Bill Griggs
- Darcy Lamanna-Kelley
- Jane Little
- Richard Sanders
- Margaret O’Neal
- Madeline Ramsdell
- Jodie Zeuke
Our office manager is Margaret Jesser.
2009-2010 Season
2008-2009 Season
2007 – 2008 Season
2006 – 2007 Season
2005 – 2006 Season
Summer – Crimes of the Heart
Directed by Margaret Sanders
August 12, 13, 14,
and 19, 20, 21, 2005
Fall – Little Women
Directed by Dianne Brookins
and Darcy Kelley
October 28, 29, 30
and November 4, 5, 6, 2005
Winter – I Hate Hamlet
Directed by Jerry Stafford
February 24, 25, 26,
and March 3, 4, 5, 2006
Spring – A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum
Directed by Tom Bender
and Gail Anne Gold
May 4, 5, 6, 7 and 12, 13, 14, 2006
Community Events
This spring we hosted theHart County Middle School Broadway Bullpups in their production TOUCHTONE M FOR MURDER on Thursday and Friday, April 1 and 2 at 7:00 P.M.
The Night Before The Night Before
Friday, December 23, 2005 at 7:00 PM
Our annual gift to the community is free to the public, includes a community sing-a-long with the band, a special visit with Santa, and maybe the Teddy Bear Raffle as well!
Children’s Workshop – Aladdin
June 12-16, 2006
All this is possible through the generous support of YOU, and others, who care about the Community Theatre. With many new renovations including the purchase of new stage curtains, we need your contributions now more than ever. Our annual fund drive runs from November to January, but you can always send a contribution at any time and we will put your name in the program. Send checks payable to HCCT, PO Box 55, Hartwell, GA 30643 and show your support!
2004 – 2005 Season
25 Years – Now THAT’S Entertainment!
Kathie Cheatham directed this celebration highlighting one song from each of the musicals in HCCT’s 25 years of existence. Production dates were July 16, 17, 18 and 23, 24, 25, 2004.
BELL, BOOK, AND CANDLE
This romantic comedy directed by Margaret Sanders, was staged on October 8, 9,10, 15, 16, 17, 2004.
Money, Power, Murder, Lust, Revenge and Marvelous Clothes!
This play covered the entire gamut of nighttime soap-opera topics! Directed by Kathie Cheatham, it was staged on May 5, 6, 7, 8 and May 13, 14, 15, 2005.
STEEL MAGNOLIAS
This popular southern drama was staged on February 25, 26, 27 and March 4, 5, 6, 2005. Directed by Charlie Kidd and Jerry Stafford, this play ‘starred’ Jane Keperling as Truvy Jones, Samantha Kelley as Annelle Depuy-Desoto, Dianne Brookins as Clairee Belcher, Joni Segars as Shelby Eatenton-Latcherie, Leigh Veteto as M’Lynn Eatenton, and Wanda Worley as Ouiser. This play was also performed at the new Franklin County facility on June 4, 2005.
2003 – 2004 Season
HART’S HERITAGE
This historical docu-drama, written by Sara Powell especially for the Sesquicentennial (150th anniversary) of Hart County was a big hit with everybody. July 11, 12, 13 and 18, 19, 20, 2003.
YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU
With a cast of many, this comedy of the Vanderhof family encouraged us to live every day to the fullest. Directed by Ken Little, this was a huge hit February 26, 27, 28 and March 5, 6, & 7, 2004.
THE FANTASTICKS
Directed by Tom Bender, this famous musical was staged May 13, 14, 15, 16 and 20, 22, 23, 2004.
Community Events
We hosted the Hart County High School and Franklin County High School ‘Spotlight Players’ for a Night of One Acts on November 22, 2003. They performed BOOBY IN THE TRAP and HARD CANDY.
Also, the Hart County High School Chorus gave a Christmas Concert, “Holiday Harmonies” directed by Melissa Fowler on December 11, 2003.
2002 – 2003 Season
2001 – 2002 Season
The Secret Garden directed by Dianne Brookins
October 11, 12, 13, and 19, 20, 21, 2001
TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD
February / March 2002
See the pictures from ‘behind the scenes’ to the full production. Adapted by Christopher Sergel, this book by Harper Lee remains a favorite!
Community Events
Aladdin – The summer of 2001 proved to be a very busy time for the Theatre with back to back events. Beginning with THE CHILDREN’S WORKSHOP in June, the Theatre hosted about 3 dozen children, some of them having their first experience onstage. Donna Seay did a remarkable job bringing them all into the action with costumes, sets, and even some dancing!
2000 – 2001 Season
1999 – 2000 Season
1998 – 1999 Season
1997 – 1998 Season
1996 – 1997 Season
1995 – 1996 Season
1994 – 1995 Season
1993 – 1994 Season
Nov. 11, 1993 — Hart County Community Theatre had the opening night for the show “Harvey” on Nov. 11 at 8 p.m.
The show, which is about a man who is having visions of a giant rabbit, is memorialized at the theatre with a large painting in the front lobby. The painting depicts the lead man, Elwood P. Dodd, who was played by Harry Hannah, with the rabbit. Harry Hannah was in a car accident the week before where his car was crushed by a truck, but he walked away unscathed. This incident led people to believe that Harvey is a protective spirit who
1992 – 1993 Season
1991 – 1992 Season
1990 – 1991 Season
1989 – 1990 Season
1988 – 1989 Season
1987 – 1988 Season
1987 Hart County Community Theatre Board of Directors
President: Betty Norment
Vice President: John Setchel
Treasurer: Ed Beckham
Secretary: Kay Cleveland
Nancy Clark
Mark Floyd
Harry Holding
Mike Hurley
Bob Leicht
Glorianne Patterson
Sybil Schmidt
Rita Smith
1985-1986 Season
Chapter Two
Directed by Vickie Robinson
October 1985
Twas The Night Before the Night Before
Directed by Larry & Maryann Dotson
December 1985
1984-1985 Season
Bloodline *
Directed by Dottie Holding
August 1984
Vanities *
Directed by Dottie Holding
November 1984
Curtain Call Variety Show IV
Directed by Mark Floyd
February 1985
1983-1984 Season
Curtain Call Variety Show III
Directed by Debra Stokes
Asst. Director: Ann Skelton
November 1983
The Second Time Around
Directed by Vickie Robinson
April 1984
1982-1983 Season
Accommodations *
Directed by Dottie Holding
August 1982
Arsenic and Old Lace
Directed by Ches Phillips
Asst. Director: Arthur J. Bisso
November 1982
Barefoot In The Park
Directed by Vickie Robinson
March 1983
1981-1982 Season
Bull In A China Shop *
Directed by Nancy Clark
August 1981
The Count Will Rise Again
Directed by Ann Barille Urban
November 1981
Curtain Call Variety Show II
Directed by Nancy Clark
Asst. Director: Dottie Holding
January 1982
1980-1981 Season
Night of January 16th
Directed by Ann Barille Urban
September 1980
Curtain Call Variety Show I
Directed by Dottie Holding
Asst. Director: Lee Leigh
November 1980
Maid to Order
Directed by June Flowers
Asst. Director: Nancy Clark
March 1981
1979 – 1980 Season
Come Blow Your Horn
Directed by Ann Barille Urban
May 1979
Harvey
Directed by Ann Barille Urban
November 1979
Plaza Suite
Directed by Ann Barille Urban
May April 1980
PLEASE SEE OUR HISTORY PAGE FOR MORE DETAILS AS TO HOW WE BEGAN.
* Dinner Theatre Productions