Who are we?

The Hopeful Theatre project began as a dream in the fall of 2018. We opened our first showcase, "Two Acts of Love", February 16, 2019 to benefit The Ronald McDonald House Charities. We were so amazed by the amount of support that we had to continue making this dream a reality.

The Hopeful Theatre Project is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in the state of Texas founded on April 11, 2019.

We are a little different than most non-profit theatres in Texas - each show we produce we do with one goal in mind: to raise funds for a local charity or a local chapter of a national charity.

Since our founding, The Hopeful Theatre Project has been able to raise over $25,000 for our beneficiaries, which include Ronald McDonald House Charities of Fort Worth, Make-A-Wish Foundation of North Texas, The Salvation Army, The Actors Fund, The American Red Cross, Operation Christmas Child, Wildlife Conservation Network, and National Alliance on Mental Illness.

As a company, we are looking forward to expanding on big dreams and making a difference in the community we love!

Our Brief History

Our Mission Statement

The Hopeful Theatre Project’s goal is to bring love, hope, and aid to the community by utilizing local talent through the performing arts to benefit various charity organizations.

Past Beneficiaries

About the TEAM

"The Hopeful Theatre Project has my heart. Giving back to the community through what I love most has been an absolute dream come true! But, of course, the dream wouldn’t be a possibility without the amazing actors and designers who have helped build this company along with me. I can only hope that we will spread love and happiness throughout the DFW metroplex (and beyond) every single day through this incredible project."

Jessica earned a BFA in Theatre Performance and Child and Family Studies from Baylor University. She was recently awarded Baylor University's Young Alumna of Year (2020-2021) for her work with The Hopeful Theatre Project! After graduating college, Jessica went on to work for The Walt Disney World Resort as a "Fairy Godmother in Training" and took many courses on Disney Leadership and Disney Entertainment. Jessica now works for the American Heart Association where she is proud to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. When she's not working or directing, Jessica can be seen performing around the DFW Metroplex. She received a nomination for Best Leading Actress in a Musical for her performance as Tracy Turnblad in HAIRSPRAY. She is very excited for the future of The Hopeful Theatre Project and hopes you will join our family!

Rian is a performer, director, stage manager, volunteer coordinator, and coffee lover. When she is not in rehearsal or a tech booth, she is most likely trying out a new restaurant, hitting a trail with her dog Dude, or at her “day job” helping churches with their creative and production needs. Rian earned her BA in Theatre from Howard Payne University and her MFA in Theatre from the University of Houston. She is thrilled to have found a place where she can use her lifelong love of theatre to make a difference in the lives of others.

I am a native to the Mid-Cities area and graduated from Trinity High School. Although my background is singing, I love all things “creative arts”. I am a loving wife with one son and two dogs. I’ve been working in digital advertising for more than 20 years. And in my spare time, I love to travel, try great restaurants with family and friends and enjoy fashion. I’m looking forward to helping grow and engage the DFW community with the Hopeful Theatre Project!

"From the very beginning, Hopeful has felt like home to me. To be able to work alongside a team that has such a passion for helping others, and to know that we are making a difference by doing what we love is a dream come true. I am continually overwhelmed by the incredible people who have come alongside us. The performers, volunteers, sponsors, and creative team pouring their whole hearts into a cause are inspiring. I am honored to be a part of it, and can’t wait to see what the future holds for the Hopeful Family."

I am so excited to be a part of The Hopeful Theatre Project! I feel like this is my opportunity to contribute to an organization that gives back to the community with a passion and for a great cause! My family and I love the arts and I look forward to working with everyone involved!

"One of the things I've always loved about performing is how it has allowed me to understand people who are different from me and dealt with different struggles. Being an actor and a singer has taught me to be able to step into someone's shoes and empathize with them. I love that Hopeful allows me to take that empathy and put it into practice both onstage while performing, but also through sharing my talents with photography and marketing. I love seeing how this project affects the lives of all those involved. It's a moving experience every time!"

Delaney Gebhart has been a performer and a photographer since she was in high school and is so happy to have found a place where she can combine those two skills for the benefit of others. When she isn't posting on Hopeful's social media or updating the website, she can probably be found with an iced coffee in hand, headed to rehearsal. Some of her favorite past roles include Belle (Beauty and the Beast), Laurie Williams (Oklahoma!), and Katherine Plumber (Newsies). She is so excited to see what is in store for Hopeful!

President / Co-Founder / resident director

Sponsorships and community outreach Manager

Volunteer

sponsors@thehopefultheatreproject.com

Jessica@thehopefultheatreproject.com

Administrative Assistant

delaney@thehopefultheatreproject.com

Rian Slay

Iris Rigsby Putnam

Jessica Holt

Delaney Gebhart

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