Box and Hat Players
Encyclopedia
The Box and Hat players were a performing arts
troupe based in Spokane, Washington
consisting of young people ages 10-18 who had not yet graduated from high school. Its main focus was musical theater. It was based out of the Spokane Civic Theatre
, and was led by Jean Hardie from 1985-2005. The 2005-2006 season was led by Katie-Sarah Phillips, after which Andrew Ware Lewis took over leadership until the troupe's disbandment in 2008.
Box and Hat was started as an acting course led by Jean Hardie and C.C. Cayer, and evolved as the same kids came back for more. It started officially in 1985, as "Performance Troupe" or "P-troupe", and was renamed "Box 'n Hat" after the two main props of their shows.
The Box and Hat players performed throughout the city of Spokane
at Rotary
clubs, luncheons, tours of houses, and other events. Also, every fall, the troupers toured the local public library
branches to promote reading. Other annual events were a Christmas
show, with various recurring characters, and a year end "Senior Showcase" to let the graduating seniors shine.
Jean Hardie founded and directed the group from its inception to the 2004-2005 season. Gary Laing was the troupe's sole musical director.
Box 'n' Hat drew its repertoire from the Musical Theatre
canon including such numbers as "That's Entertainment
", "Together
" (also known as "Together (Wherever We Go)"), "Music! Music! Music!
", and "Steam Heat
".
Performing arts
The performing arts are those forms art which differ from the plastic arts insofar as the former uses the artist's own body, face, and presence as a medium, and the latter uses materials such as clay, metal or paint which can be molded or transformed to create some physical art object...
troupe based in Spokane, Washington
Spokane, Washington
Spokane is a city located in the Northwestern United States in the state of Washington. It is the largest city of Spokane County of which it is also the county seat, and the metropolitan center of the Inland Northwest region...
consisting of young people ages 10-18 who had not yet graduated from high school. Its main focus was musical theater. It was based out of the Spokane Civic Theatre
Spokane Civic Theatre
The Spokane Civic Theatre is a nationally recognized non-profit theatre located in Spokane, Washington. Incorporated in 1947, the theatre is one of the oldest community theatres in the country. The Executive Artistic Director, Yvonne A.K. Johnson, has led the theatre to a level of excellence that...
, and was led by Jean Hardie from 1985-2005. The 2005-2006 season was led by Katie-Sarah Phillips, after which Andrew Ware Lewis took over leadership until the troupe's disbandment in 2008.
Box and Hat was started as an acting course led by Jean Hardie and C.C. Cayer, and evolved as the same kids came back for more. It started officially in 1985, as "Performance Troupe" or "P-troupe", and was renamed "Box 'n Hat" after the two main props of their shows.
The Box and Hat players performed throughout the city of Spokane
Spokane, Washington
Spokane is a city located in the Northwestern United States in the state of Washington. It is the largest city of Spokane County of which it is also the county seat, and the metropolitan center of the Inland Northwest region...
at Rotary
Rotary International
Rotary International is an organization of service clubs known as Rotary Clubs located all over the world. The stated purpose of the organization is to bring together business and professional leaders to provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help...
clubs, luncheons, tours of houses, and other events. Also, every fall, the troupers toured the local public library
Public library
A public library is a library that is accessible by the public and is generally funded from public sources and operated by civil servants. There are five fundamental characteristics shared by public libraries...
branches to promote reading. Other annual events were a Christmas
Christmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
show, with various recurring characters, and a year end "Senior Showcase" to let the graduating seniors shine.
Jean Hardie founded and directed the group from its inception to the 2004-2005 season. Gary Laing was the troupe's sole musical director.
Box 'n' Hat drew its repertoire from the Musical Theatre
Musical theatre
Musical theatre is a form of theatre combining songs, spoken dialogue, acting, and dance. The emotional content of the piece – humor, pathos, love, anger – as well as the story itself, is communicated through the words, music, movement and technical aspects of the entertainment as an...
canon including such numbers as "That's Entertainment
That's Entertainment (song)
"That's Entertainment" is a 1980 song by British punk/Mod Revivalist group The Jam off their fifth album, Sound Affects.-Song profile:...
", "Together
Together (Wherever We Go)
"Together " is a song, now considered a standard, with music by Jule Styne and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, written for the musical play Gypsy in 1959.-Recorded versions:*Tammy Blanchard*The Four Lads...
" (also known as "Together (Wherever We Go)"), "Music! Music! Music!
Music! Music! Music!
"Music! Music! Music!" is a popular song written by Stephen Weiss and Bernie Baum and published in 1949.The biggest-selling version of the song was recorded by Teresa Brewer on December 20, 1949, and released by London Records as catalog number 604. It became a #1 hit and a million-seller in 1950...
", and "Steam Heat
Steam Heat
"Steam Heat" is a show tune from the 1954 musical The Pajama Game, written by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross.The best-known recording was done by Patti Page...
".