Coming to the Main Stage

Hours of Operation: Monday—Friday, 10:00 AM—5:00 PM Office

Phone/Reservations: (903) 675-3908
FAX: (903) 675-3968

Theatre and box office located at
400 Gibson Road, Athens, Texas

ALL SALES ARE FINAL - HCPAC offers Flex Pass ticketing, providing members an allotted amount of tickets to be used at any show throughout the season. Members are encouraged to use one ticket per show, all tickets on one show, share unused admissions with a guest or skip a show and use a ticket at the next production. We strive to make your theatre experience as easy as possible.

Reservations are required for all productions. Please call the theatre's reservation line to get your seat. Remember, purchasing a season membership does not assure you a seat for every show. You must contact the theatre to make a reservation. Seats are offered to members three weeks prior to opening night and non-members two weeks prior.

Non-Member ticket prices are $15 for adults, $10 for students. non-member tickets must be purchased prior to the performance. Payments may be made by cash, check, or credit card. We are currently accepting MasterCard and VISA. There is a $2.00 handling charge on all telephone orders.

Special rates for large groups are available. For a quote on groups of 10 or more, call the theatre at 903.675.3908.

Wheelchairs can be easily accommodated in the theatre with advanced notice. Parking is provided in the area adjacent to the building. Please leave plenty of time to park and make it to your seat before the start of the show.

The Henderson County Performing Arts Center, a 501 C-3 organization, was founded in 1964 as Athens Little Theatre. The theatre presented up to four productions a year until 1989. At that time, a full-time executive director was hired to carry out the mission statement of the organization.

Upon hiring an executive director, the theatre began producing seven shows each season, including two musicals each year. The theatre has a base list of more than 100 actors to draw from each season. A Board of Directors governs the entire organization and meets on a monthly basis to continue the efforts of the theatre.

In 1989, HCPAC developed a youth program to bring new volunteers and members into current programs. Since that time, the program has been expanded to include fall, spring and summer programs for children and two main stage shows presented by the group known as the YES! COMPANY (Youth Excellence on Stage). The company continues to send its traveling troupe to state theatre activities and is identified as one of the top programs in the state. The youth program was the driving force in developing summer camps in musical yheatre and the New Works Forum.

In 2004 the theatre hired a full-time musical and touring director and began a professional touring company that has produced shows throughout East Texas. Thus far they have produced Marry Me A Little, Some Enchanted Evening, Forever Plaid, Side by Side by Sondheim, Golf: The Musical and The Andrews Brothers. The theatre has also started a musical education program that teaches private lessons in piano, voice and violin to 15-20 students per semester.

In 2006 the theatre produced seven Main Stage productions, four Black Box shows, four music series concerts as well as touring performances throughout the state of Texas. The organization is very active in the community through participation in the Chamber of Commerce and the Athens Visitor Initiative Program. We do offer presentations for major groups on a regular basis.

The vision of the theatre is to bring outreach programs into all locations of Henderson County and surrounding areas. In that endeavor, the theatre opened its new Education Building and Black Box Theatre on the property in 2003. This new building provides more outreach programs for the community and continues efforts to present quality entertainment by utilizing a new, additional playing space.

In 2008, HCPAC built and opened its new main stage theatre space thanks to support of the Murchison Foundation, the Cain Foundation and many businesses, organizations and individuals. The new space accommodates thrust, proscenium and in-the-round opportunities. HCPAC is a full service Performing Arts Center that provides more than just entertainment for the area.

The organization is committed to bringing the theatre arts to all ages. With a strong working relationship with the local college and Independent School Districts in the region, the theatre continues to offer productions that excite as well as entertain, touch the hearts of the community and champion the human spirit.