Harwich Junior Theatre: Now, Cape Cod Theatre Company

Formerly known as the Harwich Junior Theatre, this nationally-recognized Cape Cod cultural institution rebranded itself as the Cape Cod Theatre Company in 2015 to reflect the sheer breadth of its offerings.

Located at 105 Division Street in West Harwich, the theatre produces main stage productions, open mic nights, and a variety of acting classes. From Antigone to Aladdin, Winnie the Pooh to Wind in the Willows, hundreds of plays and musicals have dazzled HJT audiences since the 1950s.

About the Harwich Junior Theatre/Cape Cod Theatre Company

The Cape Cod Theatre Company has focused for many years on providing stage opportunities to young people. Their Theatre in the Classroom programs range in topics from poetry to Shakespeare to creative drama, and concentrate on participation more than performance.

The organization provides year-round workshops in acting, voice training, character building, set crew and poetry for students of all ages. There are also themed week-long school vacation camps which provide intensive and fun training sessions.

But the Harwich Junior Theatre’s presence in the community establishes itself in other forms, like their famous coffee house events, which open up the mic to anyone who drops by. All proceeds from these events benefit a special fund dedicated to the founder’s mission.

Continuing that mission, the Cape Cod Theatre Company also accepts interns on a year-round and summer-only basis.

A complete schedule of events and workshops can be found on their website.

Productions at the Harwich Junior Theatre/Cape Cod Theatre Company

The Harwich Junior Theatre and Cape Cod Theatre Company produces 10 family-friendly plays and musicals throughout the year, with some fare geared towards adults mixed in. The plays are open for public participation, which means all are welcome to audition.

The Arts Center at 265 Sisson Road in Harwich Center expands their footprint and hosts experimental theatre, open mic nights and touring productions.

The theatre’s productions have received acclaim from local and international media outlets countless times.

The box office is available online or by telephone at 508-432-2002, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

History of the Harwich Junior Theatre/Cape Cod Theatre Company

Betty Bobp, a theatre professor at Boston’s Wheelock College, founded the organization when she purchased what was in 1951 the tallest building on Cape Cod: Harwich’s historic, four-story Exchange Hall.

The soon-to-be theatre mounted Cinderella, Tom Sawyer, and The Ghost of Mr. Penny there in 1952, with a total budget of $100 for the year.

The theatre added an apprentice program and Junior Players youth touring group during the 1960s, regular offerings to this day.

In 1965, Betty had to move the facility to its current location pending the demolition of the Exchange Hall.

She continually advised the facility throughout multiple additions and renovations until her death in 1997. That same year, the Harwich Junior Theatre was presented with an excellence award from the New England Theatre Conference.

By CapeCod.com Staff



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