HMT History
HOME MADE THEATER is in residence at the Spa Little Theater in the Saratoga Spa State Park. HMT was incorporated in 1985, and founded by Jonathan Foster and Susan Miller. Throughout our history we have gained a reputation for presenting professional quality community theater. Our success can be credited to the thousands of hours of work each season, accomplished by the unique joint effort of professional directors, designers, technicians, local actors, and hundreds of volunteers in all areas of production.
Our history speaks for itself. Our growth from a 55 seat theater at Caffe Lena's, in 1985, to our first three production season, in the 496 seat Spa Little Theater, in 1986, was a great accomplishment for a young company. In our 1990-91 season, we added our Theater for Families production during the holiday season. Family audiences have delighted in such productions as CHARLOTTE'S WEB, ALADDIN AND THE WONDERFUL LAMP and THE WIZARD OF OZ. HMT's tremendously popular acting and theater workshops for children and teens have continued with the expansion of our summer camp and youth theater conservatory programs, which brings young people the experience of creating theater.
Home Made Theater is committed to creating affordable quality theater for Saratoga Springs, Glens Falls and the greater Capital Region. We wish to foster the advancement and education of artists, actors, designers, and others involved in the theatrical arts. HMT is committed to being a place where people can learn the theater craft while working side by side with professional designers and directors. We are Community Theater with a professional edge.
History
1985-2007
| 1985: |
Home Made Theater incorporated as a non-profit organization. First production: WAIT UNTIL DARK at Caffe Lena's a 55-seat theater in March. YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU followed in November and performed to sold out houses, additional performances were added. YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU saw the beginning of our Dinner/Theater package. |
| 1986: |
In search of a larger space, we moved to the Ballet Regent Studio and produced CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF in April. Two series of Play Readings were produced. Acting workshops were offered. July found us signing a one-year agreement for the use of the Spa Little Theater; from that point on our history was tracked in seasons. |
| 1986-87: |
THE MAN WHO CAME TO DINNER LAST OF THE RED HOT LOVERS THE RAINMAKER |
- Received a Gannett foundation grant to host a children's opera.
- Signed a three-year agreement for the use of the Spa Little Theater.
| 1987-88: | ON GOLDEN POND NIGHT MUST FALL THE ROSE TATTOO |
- "Plays In Progress" began with a winter play reading series.
- Held our first Dinner Dance Benefit at the Hall of Springs.
- Acting Classes offered for children and adults.
| 1988-89: | AH, WILDERNESS! DIAL "M" FOR MURDER LOVERS AND OTHER STRANGERS |
- Received Gannett Foundation grant for special performance of AH, WILDERNESS! for select community groups.
- *"Plays in Progress" became "Theater in Progress" and TIPS continued with more stage reading.
- Performed scenes from "LOVERS" for Art In The Park.
| 1989-90: | THE MIRACLE WORKER THE HOT L BALTIMORE COME BLOW YOUR HORN |
- All performances of THE MIRACLE WORKER sign language interpreted.
- Received a Gannett grant for tickets for the hearing impaired.
- Participated in LARAC festival.
- Signed a five-year agreement to use the Spa Little Theater.
- Children's acting classes continue to be very popular.
| 1990-91: | THE GIN GAME THE RED SHOES ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST STAGE DOOR |
- GIN GAME was selected to compete in a state-wide theater festival and won Best Production, Best Actor and Best Actress.
- GIN GAME traveled to Union College for a special performance.
- THE RED SHOES marked our first Theater for Children production.
- "SHOES" was performed as part of SPAC's Victorian Christmas Party.
- Received a N.Y.S. Council on the Arts Grant.
| 1991-92: | CORPSE! ANDROCLES AND THE LION OF MICE AND MEN A COUPLA WHITE CHICKS SITTING AROUND TALKING |
- OF MICE AND MEN was presented at McGregor Correctional Facility through a grant from NYSCA.
- A special performance of "MICE" was presented for students from four area school districts.
- Classes continue; Acting and Scene Study for adults and children, a Director's Workshop is added.
- Received a N.Y.S. Council on the Arts Grant.
| 1992-93: | GYPSY A CHRISTMAS CAROL EASTERN STANDARD PICNIC |
- Our first musical, GYPSY, and A CHRISTMAS CAROL performed to sold out houses.
- Classes continue: Acting and Scene Study for children and adults.
- PIPS (Plays In Progress Series) resumed, presenting four original plays by new playwrights.
- First Workshop Production by Children: Spring 1993 THE VELVETEEN RABBIT.
- Received a N.Y.S. Council on the Arts Grant.
| 1993-94: | THE SUNSHINE BOYS THE SNOW QUEEN STEEL MAGNOLIAS A HATFUL OF RAIN |
- Classes continue: Acting and Scene Study for children and adults.
- Received a multi year grant from The NYS Council on the Arts.
| 1994-95: | A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE ALICE IN WONDERLAND ANGEL STREET YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU **10 YEAR CELEBRATION** |
- Home Made Theater Celebrated its 10th Birthday!
- Multi year NYSCA Grant continues.
- Plays in Progress Series presents two staged readings.
- Class offerings are expanded - with classes for age 7 through adult.
| 1995-96: | THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK CHARLOTTE'S WEB WRITE ME A MURDER PLAZA SUITE |
- HMT hosted area students at two special daytime performances of THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK.
- Home Made Theater held their first Murder Mystery fundraiser with a sold out crowd.
- Classes continued for children and adults.
- HMT's Artistic Board was formed to take the place of an Artistic Director.
- 1995-96 brought a record number of sold-out performances and HMT's most successful season to date.
| 1996-97: | THE DIVINERS THE JUNGLE BOOK THE DEAL NOISES OFF |
- "HMT to Go," a touring group bringing live theater into schools was created. Their mission is to introduce young people to theater arts through live performance.
- Back by popular demand, HMT held a Murder Mystery fundraiser, this year including a dinner at Panzas Restaurant.
- Adult and children's classes continued including two new offerings - TECHNICAL PRODUCTION TECHNIQUES and IMPROV FOR ACTORS.
- HMT produced the national award winning play, THE DEAL, written by Saratoga resident Matthew Witten.
| 1997-98: | LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS THE WIZARD OF OZ ALL MY SONS SLEUTH |
- HMT hits the world wide web with its webpage www.homemadetheater.org.
- ACT, Acting Camp for Training is taught during Summer '97 at The Arts Center.
- HMT produces their second musical, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS.
- "HMT to Go" continues to be offered to elementary schools.
- Children's Classes offerings are expanded and now include Saturdays and Wednesday schedule.
| 1998-99: | LETTICE & LOVAGE THE STEADFAST TIN SOLDIER THE GLASS MENAGERIE RUMORS |
- Home Made Theater reached a milestone with its 50th production, THE GLASS MENAGERIE.
- Home Made Theater received the "Best Community Theater" Award for 1998 by Metroland Magazine.
- Home Made Theater was listed in the 10 Ten Productions for 1998 by the Daily Gazette.
- ACT, Acting Camp for Training was expanded to include both classes on Saturday mornings and two-week day camp for teens in the summer of '98 at The Arts Center.
- Children's Classes continue to be a hit on Saturday mornings, with over 225 young people enrolled throughout the fall and spring.
- New stage floor, back stage rigging, painting and carpeting take place as part of renovations to theater through the NYS Office of Parks and Recreation.
| 1999-00: | WAIT UNTIL DARK ALADDIN AND THE WONDERFUL LAMP MARVIN'S ROOM THE FOREIGNER |
- Home Made Theater celebrates its 15th Birthday!
- Home Made Theater receives $10,000 grant from The Saratoga Foundation.
- ACT, Acting Camp for Training was expanded to include both classes on Saturday mornings and two-week day camp for teens in the summer of '99 at The Arts Center.
- Children's Classes on Saturday mornings top 200 students for the second season in a row!
- 15th Birthday celebrations continue with a festive gala at the Canfield Casino.
| 2000-01: | BILOXI BLUES SANTA'S LIST SHIRLEY VALENTINE OUR TOWN |
- Home Made Theater received $1,500 grant from Target allowing HMT to offer half price tickets to students during the run of OUR TOWN.
- Home Made Theater continues to offer Advanced Acting for Adults and adds a new class, Musical Theater Performance. These classes are so successful that they are added to the HMT summer class program at the Saratoga Arts Center.
- Home Made Theater presents its' first world premiere production, SANTA'S LIST, written by local playwright, Brenny Rabine. The show and premiere receive a large amount of press coverage.
- Home Made Theater presents its' first one-woman show, SHIRLEY VALENTINE. Reviews and audience response are exceedingly positive.
- Home Made Theater and Wild Women Production co-produce WILD WOMEN SWING in January of 2001. The show was successful enough to bring the WILD WOMEN back to the Spa Little Theater for an encore weekend in April.
- Home Made Theater schedules a daytime performance of OUR TOWN for an audience of school children. The theater is filled to capacity, with almost 500 children attending the show.
| 2001-02: | LEND ME A TENOR THE 13 CLOCKS THE FANTASTICKS DANCING AT LUGHNASA |
- Home Made Theater received $5,000 grant from Saratoga Springs Rotary for an upgrade to HMT's sound system.
- HMT received a $2500 grant from Niagara Mohawk for the purchase of some more efficient lighting equipment.
- HMT presented the first New York production of THE FANTASTICKS following the close of a 42-year run in New York City.
- Home Made Theater to present CATCHING BABIES a one-woman show by local playwright, Brenny Rabine.
| 2002-03: | THE NERD THE MASQUE OF BEAUTY AND THE BEAST MACBETH SOMETHING'S AFOOT |
- HMT started the new "THEATER CONSERVATORY FOR TEENS" for students ages 12-17. This total immersion program gives students the opportunity to experience being involved in a full production.
- HMT co-presented the McKrell's Christmas show at the theater in December.
- Home Made Theater was approved to receive a Community Block Development Grant from the city of Saratoga Springs. The grant will assist HMT in bringing seniors citizens to their 2003-04 season productions.
- Home Made Theater presented their first Shakespeare production. HMT's MACBETH was popular with audiences and critics. Two sold-out weekday matinees were presented for area high school students.
| 2003-04: | MOON OVER BUFFALO A CHRISTMAS CAROL THE LION IN WINTER LAUGHTER ON THE 23RD FLOOR |
- Home Made Theater expends their summer program for children and teens. They were held at a new location - Off Broadway Theater & Grille. As a bonus students wrapped up their week with lunch and a movie on the big screen.
- Seniors from three are facilities come to HMT productions with the help of a Community Block Development Grant from the city of Saratoga Springs.
- HMT's Youth Musical Theater Conservatory for ages 9-16 presents ANNIEjr.
| 2004-05: | CABARET CHARLOTTE'S WEB PICASSO AT THE LAPIN AGILE TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD |
- HMT celebrates its twentieth season.
- HMT receives a grant from Niagara Mohawk, a National Grid company.
- HMT's Youth Theater Conservatory for ages 9-17 presents THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE in November 2004.
- Home Made Theater presented TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD. Three sold-out weekday matinees were presented for area high school students.
- HMT's Youth Theater Conservatory for ages 9-17 presents ALADDIN Jr. in May 2005.
| 2005-06: | LOST IN YONKERS THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER THE SANTALAND DIARIES ALL IN THE TIMING A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE |
- HMT's begins The Shuster Series - A series of play readings offered throughout the season.
- HMT's THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT is performed for students at a sold out weekday matinee.
- HMT ads a holiday offer for adults to an enthusiastic response.
- HMT hosts Saratoga Reads Event - author Gregory Maguire read from WICKED.
- HMT presents the regional premiere of the musical A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE.
- HMT's Youth Theater Conservatory presents INTO THE WOODS JR. in May 2006.
| 2006-07: | URINETOWN, THE MUSICAL ALICE IN WONDERLAND WIT I HATE HAMLET |
- HMT's continued The Shuster Series - A full series of play readings offered throughout the season.
- HMT presented Jonathan Whitton in Perfect Finite, A Contemporary Musical Theatre Song Cycle.
- HMT was awarded a grant from The Saratoga Gaming and Raceway Foundation to offer free children's tickets to their Youth Conservatory with the purchase of a "Grandparent" ticket.
- HMT's production of A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE was named to The Troy Record's list of Top Ten productions for 2006. It was "the only community theater effort to make this year's list. Kudos to Home Made Theater for taking a risk on an unknown, neglected show and for doing it so well."
- HMT's Youth Theater Conservatory presents SEUSSICAL JR. in May 2007.
HMT at the Spa Little Theater
P.O. Box 1182 Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 (518) 587-4427 info@homemadetheater.org
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