HART Theatre

About HART

Welcome to one of the treasures of Western North Carolina. Nestled in the shadow of Cold Mountain in Waynesville, North Carolina, The HART Theatre, founded in 1985, is a semi-professional community theatre showcasing the talents of the people of the region and beyond.

The Performing Arts Center at the Shelton House opened in 1997, and funded by the support of people throughout the community, HART’s home is a stunning facility constructed in the style of the traditional Summer Stock playhouses of the 1920’s. Architect Joe Sam Queen and builder Pat Burgin used native materials to create a facility that is both grand and informal. HART succeeded in paying off the mortgage on the facility in just four years, undertook an expansion in 2003 which was also paid for by the time it was completed.

The theater is now in the midst of another expansion, adding the new Daniel and Belle Fangmeyer Theater, along with the Harmon’s Den Bistro, named in honor of John and Susie Harmon. The Performing Arts Center at the Shelton House contains the James Auditorium, a 255-seat traditional proscenium space named in honor of longtime supporters Phil and Loraine James, the Daniel and Belle Fangmeyer Theater, a 140 seat flexible performance space, and the 75-seat Feichter Studio Theatre, named in honor of HART founder’s Rex and Elisabeth Feichter. The Fangmeyer Theater also houses Harmon’s Den Bistro, a full service farm to table restaurant named in honor of John and Suzie Harmon.

The facility sits on an eight acre National Historic site owned by the Shelton House Museum of North Carolina Handicrafts. The 19th Century structures are open to the public and contain a vast treasure of work by artists from the region and beyond.

In addition to its own productions, HART has played host to events by Folkmoot USA, the Smoky Mountain Brass Band, Voices in the Laurel, and the Haywood County Arts Council’s series of concerts, including the Swannanoa Chamber Music Festival. HART also operates the Rodwell Visual Arts Gallery and has an Internship program for young aspiring professional actors.

HART’s activities have helped spur economic development in the region and introduce a generation of young people to the magic of theatre, many of whom are pursuing theatrical degrees thanks to HART’s encouragement and training. All of HART’s activities and the maintenance of the Performing Arts Center are made possible thanks to the generous support of people like you.