The Hale Center Foundation for the Arts and Education is the entity under which 3 organizations operate: 1) Hale Center Theater Orem (HCTO), 2) Hale Center Academy for the Performing Arts, and 3) Archive Costumes. It is managed by a team of Directors, a Board of Trustees, and an Advisory Council, and as of 2007, functions as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
We serve our patrons with world-class productions featuring local actors on a center-stage. Despite rising costs, we are committed to maintaining low ticket prices and traditional community values, and are proud to offer a place where actors can share their talents and perform in theatrical presentations. Our community is further enriched by those working a day-time career, but performing at HCTO in the evenings. The combination of the place, people, and price has resulted in an Orem arts destination which is beloved by thousands of dedicated patrons.
HCTO was established as a labor of love by retired playwrights and actors, Nathan and Ruth Hale, and has stood as a pillar of the performing arts in Utah Valley ever since. The theater is still under its original management—Cody (son of Nathan and Ruth) and his wife Linda Hale, and Cody (grandson) and his wife Anne Swenson. Since 2010 the theater has consistently been voted “Best Live Theater of Utah Valley” every year—a badge we proudly wear!
Built in 1990, the theater was designed as a “theater in the round” and seats 305 patrons. Each year we put on over 300 performances by a cast of local adult and youth performers in a wide variety of genres—musicals, comedies, dramas, historical shows, Broadway hits, new premieres, HCTO originals, and old favorites.
The Hale Center Academy for the Performing Arts offers acting and vocal lessons for all ages.
Archive Costumes is one of Utah’s premiere sources for costuming. With over 15,000 costume designs in stock, Archive Costumes ships regularly to schools, theaters, partygoers, and event organizers all over the United States! One satisfied customer raves, "You won't find a better costume design team in Utah!"
Hale Center Theater Orem is only one in a chain of theaters, all owned and operated independently from each other. Here is a list of other theaters across the western United States, started by the Nathan and Ruth Hale family:
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