What you’re funding
At the Henderson County Performing Arts Center (HCPAC), our ghost light symbolizes hope, continuity, and the promise of future performances. With your support for our Ghost Light Campaign, we can upgrade critical lighting, sound, and production technology—ensuring vibrant productions, top-notch educational experiences, and a thriving hub for creativity in our community.
Why Contribute?
- Empower Local Talent – Modern lighting lets our actors, musicians, and artists shine brighter than ever. - Elevate Education – Professional-grade equipment provides aspiring theater students real-world training and confidence-building experiences. - Unite the Community – High-quality performances bring people together, creating shared moments of inspiration and connection. - Invest in Lasting Quality – We’ve tried cheaper fixes, but they failed. Now, we need a state-of-the-art lighting, sound, and production system that will serve patrons and performers for decades to come.
Our Goal We’re raising $175,000 to overhaul our theater with quality lighting, audio, and production technology and infrastructure—ensuring a bright future for HCPAC.
Join the Legacy Your gift not only keeps the ghost light burning but also fuels the dreams and talents of generations to come.
Donate Today Together, let’s illuminate the stage and secure a lasting beacon of art, education, and community spirit! To contribute:
- Use the Donate button to donate via credit or debit cards, bank transfers, PayPal, Venmo, Apple Pay, Google Pay, stocks, mutual funds, or ETFs. - Mail a check to Henderson County Performing Arts Center, PO Box 102, Athens, TX 75751 (memo: "Ghost Light"). - Direct your Donor Advised Fund to make a grant to Athens Little Theatre, A 501(c)(3) nonprofit, EIN 75-1656865. If possible, designate the grant to Ghost Light Campaign, Capital Campaign, or similar. - Contact your IRA custodian about a Qualified Charitable Distribution. Give directly from your IRA to satisfy RMDs.
Questions? Call 903-675-3908, or email info@hcpac.org.
Got a question — or an idea — for the team?
Send a note and we’ll pass it along to Athens Little Theatre.
About Athens Little Theatre
At Athens Little Theatre, live performance is not just something you watch, it is something people in Henderson County help build, from acting and design to sets and costumes. The group presents plays and musicals for local audiences, while also giving young people a place to take theater classes and step onto the stage. If you care about arts that are rooted in a community and open to all ages, this is the kind of place that keeps that tradition alive.
What sets HCPAC apart is how long its community has been showing up for it. Since 1964, volunteers have helped shape the work, and that hands-on tradition still runs through the theater’s productions, training, and youth programming. The YES program gives that same energy to young people through classes and performance opportunities.
About this work
In their own words — what they do, who it reaches, and what your dollars actually fund.
Mission
To enrich lives through the power of the performing arts.
Who they serve
Residents of Henderson County and the East Texas region, including young people, performers, and community audiences.
How your donation helps
- The YES program
- Youth productions such as the Summer Musical and the Christmas Show
- Technology and lighting equipment upgrades
- Live theater productions
- Educational programs
Programs
Community theater productions
Mainstage plays and musicals presented for audiences in Henderson County and the East Texas region.
YES, Youth Excellence on Stage
Youth theater craft classes and performance opportunities for young people.
Youth productions
Annual youth productions, including the Summer Musical and the Christmas Show.
Theatre activities and training
Theatre activities, play productions, youth theatre, and training for any interested individual.
Events
Ghost Light Campaign
ongoingOngoing fundraiser supporting the future of the arts, including technology and lighting equipment upgrades.
2026 production season
annualAnnual season of mainstage productions, including musicals, dramas, and comedies.
YES classes
weekly seasonalYouth Excellence on Stage classes offered every Thursday at 5 pm from Feb. 12 through April 2.
Ways to help
Current needs
- Season sponsorships
- Support for the Ghost Light Campaign
- Technology and lighting equipment upgrades
Volunteer opportunities
- Act in productions
- Design sets
- Build sets
- Create costumes
- Serve on the volunteer Board of Directors
Full Athens Little Theatre profile → · IRS filing (ProPublica)