About Stage 9
Stage 9’s mission is EXCITE MINDS, MOVE HEARTS and CHANGE LIVES through theatrical performance, arts education and live entertainment in Hutchinson, Reno County & South Central Kansas. A 501(c)3 organization, Stage 9 strives to produce quality entertainment and provide opportunities for artistic expression for all Hutchinson community members, specifically focused on ages 18 and up. Located at 9 S. Main in the heart of downtown Hutchinson, Stage 9 produces plays and musicals ranging from classics to contemporary hits.
Who We Are
Hutchinson Theatre Guild DBA Stage 9
A 501c3 non-profit corporation
Our Mission
To excite minds, move hearts and change lives through theatrical performance, arts education and live entertainment in Hutchinson, Reno County & South Central Kansas.
Our Vision
Stage 9 seeks to provide community members opportunities to see and be a part of the highest quality contemporary and musical theatre offered in South Central Kansas as well as other exciting programs, events and lives entertainment. Our desire is to engage audiences with performances that make them think thoughtfully, laugh longer, and feel more.
Board of Directors
Kris has directed over 100 musicals, comedies, and dramas. She holds a BSE in speech and theatre and a MA in directing. She has served as the Kansas Thespian Director and a trustee for the International Thespian Society and Educational Theatre Association. Kris was the first Kansas Thespian Society Teacher Hall of Fame inductee and received the Davis Foundation Teacher of the Year award. Favorite directing credits include You Can't Take it With You, The Foreigner, and The Real Inspector Hound.
Donna graduated from Washburn University with a BA in history and education and received her MA in Education from Wichita State. She and her husband moved to Hutchinson in 1987 and opened Bogey's. After several years in the restaurant she returned education and taught for 24 years at HMS-7. Donna is in her first time as a board member and enjoys working with others who are passionate about theatre and want to bring to life quality productions our community.
Ellie’s involvement in theatre began on stage in both high school and college productions. At the community level, she has worked with Broadway RFD in Lindsborg, KS – on stage, behind the scenes, and teaching for a children’s summer camp. She even assisted with a Russian traveling production of Swan Lake at Century II in Wichita! She currently teaches K-6 music at Hutchinson STEM Magnet School at Allen and is in her 7th year of teaching. She lives with her boyfriend and her dog in Hutchinson.
Ron enjoys theatre from behind the scenes. He is entering his 4th year on the Stage 9 Board of Directors. Stage 9 patrons may recognize him from the box office. Prior to moving to Hutch, Ron spent many years in various capacities at a summer repertory company in Southern California. During the day, Ron enjoys working at Members Mortgage Services and is thankful for the support that his employer provides to Stage 9. Ron loves to support his wife Diana in her theatre activities.
Deaven has loved lighting and sound since he was a child. His skill in lighting and sound design truly began to flourish in high school. Some of his favorite credits include, Shrek The Musical, The Foreigner, She Kills Monsters, and Macbeth. When he isn’t designing lighting for Stage 9, you can find him making an impact in the community through his work as Cosato Lighting & Sound.
This is Rachel’s first year as a board member. You may have seen her in previous Stage 9 productions as Cynthia in The Real Inspector Hound and as Snow White in Disney’s Descendants. She spends her days working as a research assistant, and unwinds by reading a good book under a cozy blanket. She hopes to see you all soon!
Piper Harding, At-Large
Jake has been involved in many productions as a student at Hutchinson High School and Wichita State University. He is thrilled to be continuing his theatre involvement through Stage 9, both though his work on stage and on the Board of Directors.
Matt Perkins, At-Large
Theresa has been active in theater since she was a child, where theater was a family affair, and which continued when she introduced her daughter Mallory to the stage. Her on-stage credits include Little Shop of Horrors with Stage 9, and numerous other shows in Hutchinson. She is currently the Marketing Manager for Haven Steel Products, manages social media pages for area organizations, and enjoys photography in her free time.
Diana was cast in her high school musical in 10th grade, and her love of theatre was born. She went on to receive her Bachelors degree in Drama from the University of California, Irvine. Diana has continued to perform in numerous community theatre and professional productions ever since. She currently serves as Assistant to the Board, in addition to performing in and assisting with many Stage 9 productions. She loves working beside her husband, Ron, with this wonderful organization.
A History of Stage 9
Effective on November 16, 2015, the Hutchinson Theatre Guild retired its brand and begin anew as Stage 9 just in time for its 100th Anniversary. While the Hutchinson Theatre Guild has continued to be registered as the 501(c)3 non-profit organization operating Stage 9, the Guild’s name has been dropped out of public use.
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Stage 9 is no stranger to reinventing itself. Prior to being known as the Hutchinson Theatre Guild, Stage 9 has had many names, created and retired as the Hutchinson community has morphed and matured. The first version of Stage 9 was begun by Esther Wolcott in 1916. The Hutchinson Women’s Club presented The Trojan Women as its inaugural production.
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Over the years, Stage 9 has been known as the Dramatic Arts Club, Prairie Players and the Red Barn Players until the Hutchinson Theatre Guild was formed in 1958. In 1968, the Hutchinson Theatre Guild registered as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Shortly after this, a forty-year old church at Avenue B and Plum was purchased in 1969. At this location, the Guild played to full houses in the 200-seat space, ran productions for two weekends and even shared the building with other cultural groups needing space for workshops and meetings.
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In the early 1980s, when operation of the church as the theatre’s home became impossible, the Guild performed at local clubs, restaurants, the Kansas State Fairgrounds, the Fox, Hutchinson Community College, Hutchinson High School, the Hutchinson Arts Center, gymnasiums, outdoors and any venue that could be found to present quality productions. In 2011, the Board of Directors purchased 9 S Main and completed an extensive renovation of the space. The retail space was gutted and completely built from the ground up by volunteer or donated labor. The finished product opened in 2014. This 85-seat intimate theatrical venue was named Stage 9, referring to the physical address of the space which is located at 9 South Main in Hutchinson, Kansas. The newly revised Stage 9 brand emerged in summer of 2015 to compliment the organization’s new venue.
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Despite its many name and location changes over the years, Stage 9 remains steadfastly committed to becoming a unique entertainment venue. Stage 9 continues to work towards being inclusive and versatile in production and presentation. Finally, Stage 9 strives to become a true community asset and a part of the vibrancy of the future of downtown Hutchinson and the Hutchinson community at large.