The Hickory Community Theatre (HCT) is a vital part of Hickory North Carolina’s cultural landscape. We’re the place people go to not only experience art, but create it. Community theatre is the most collaborative art form there is. At HCT, people from all walks of life discover a sense of purpose and accomplishment by taking part in shared, creative work. As they join forces to build live productions, they create meaningful bonds that foster belonging and often lead to lifelong friendships. This spirit reaches its fullest meaning when the audience arrives, completing the circle as the community comes together to see what their friends and neighbors have brought to life.

Our mission is to produce quality live shows, foster creative expression, and engage diverse community members in the art of theatre. HCT was formed in 1948, when a small group of theatre lovers gathered to read and discuss plays. In 1949, under the guidance of the City of Hickory's new recreation director, Kay Johnson, the Hickory Little Theatre was born. The first production, YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU, was staged in October 1949. HCT is now the third oldest, continuously operating community theatre in the state of North Carolina. 

Our mission is about more than the art of theatre itself. HCT is dedicated to enriching lives, building community, fostering empathy and providing a safe space for people from all walks of life to experience the joy of live theatre.