For over 60 years, the Henderson County Performing Arts Center has been dedicated to providing exceptional entertainment and education to the East Texas region. Initially known as Athens Little Theatre, our organization thrived for approximately 25 years under the leadership of a volunteer Board of Directors and committed community members who acted, designed, built sets, created costumes, and did whatever it took to bring the magic of theater to life.
In 1980, Athens Little Theatre became a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and we have proudly operated as such ever since, continuing our mission to enrich lives through the power of the performing arts.
Our mission statement: We Entertain. We Educate. We Change Lives.
WE ENTERTAIN.WE EDUCATE. WE CHANGE LIVES
UPCOMING SHOWS
HCPAC Presents
January 29 - February 7, 2026
Neil Simon’s Rumors is a fast paced, laugh out loud farce that begins at a high society anniversary party and quickly unravels when the host is found wounded and his wife mysteriously disappears. As the guests attempt to cover up the scandal, misunderstandings multiply, lies grow more elaborate, and chaos takes over in classic Neil Simon style.
Directed by Laken Jenkins with Assistant Director Joclyn Ewers.
RUMORS
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HCPAC PRESENTS
APRIL 9-18, 2026
Mamma Mia, here we go again! Is a joyful, high energy musical set on a sun soaked Greek island, where Sophie is determined to discover the identity of her father before her wedding day. After uncovering three possible candidates from her mother Donna’s past, Sophie secretly invites them all, setting the stage for heartfelt moments, big surprises, and plenty of laughs. Told through the iconic music of ABBA, this crowd favorite is a celebration of love, family, and friendship.
Mamma Mia is under the direction of Troy Martin.
MAMMA MIA!
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HCPAC PRESENTS
JULY 9-18, 2026
Beetlejuice JR. follows strange teen Lydia Deetz after her family moves into a haunted house, teaming up with ghosts Barbara and Adam Maitland and the mischievous demon Beetlejuice to scare away her dad's new partner, Delia, and get her dead mother back, leading to chaotic Netherworld hijinks and exploring themes of grief, family, and finding your own way, all in a family-friendly, shorter format of the Broadway hit.
The musical is set to hit the mainstage under the direction of Shaydi Clary, Liz Foote and Kaitlyn Martin.
BEETLEJUICE JR.
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hcpac PRESENTS
SEPTEMBER 10-19, 2026
Arsenic and Old Lace, written by Joseph Kesselring, is a dark comedy about Mortimer Brewster, a theater critic who discovers his sweet, elderly aunts, Abby and Martha, are serial killers, poisoning lonely old men with elderberry wine laced with arsenic and burying them in the cellar, all while Mortimer's crazy brother Teddy thinks he's Theodore Roosevelt and helps by burying the bodies in the Panama Canal, leading to chaos when Mortimer's villainous, disfigured brother Jonathan shows up, complicating everything as Mortimer tries to hide the murders and get Teddy committed, only for the aunts to decide they should go to the sanitarium too, offering their latest victim wine as the play ends.
Arsenic and Old Lace is under the direction of Ethan Herrin.
ARSENIC & OLD LACE
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HCPAC PRESENTS
OCTOBER 22-25, 2026
Based on Stephen King's novel, Misery is a psychological thriller about famous romance novelist Paul Sheldon, who, after a car crash, is rescued by his "number one fan," Annie Wilkes, and held captive in her secluded home. When Annie discovers Paul killed off her favorite character, Misery Chastain, in his latest book, she forces him to write a sequel, turning his recovery into a terrifying battle for survival as he realizes she has no intention of letting him go.
The production is under the direction of “Stephen King’s biggest fan” Joclyn Ewers.
MISERY
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HCPAC PRESENTS
December 10-19, 2026
A Golden Ticket awaits audiences with Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Poor but good-hearted Charlie Bucket wins one of five Golden Tickets to tour Willy Wonka's magical chocolate factory alongside four other children: greedy Augustus Gloop, spoiled Veruca Salt, gum-chewing Violet Beauregarde, and TV-obsessed Mike Teavee. Guided by Wonka and the Oompa-Loompas, the children face comical yet dark consequences, leaving Charlie as the last one standing to inherit Wonka's factory.
Directed by Shaydi Clary and Kara Davis.
CHARLIE AND THE
CHOCOLATE FACTORY
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many thanks to our sponsors!
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