12/28/2023 0 Comments Pearl highland theater© Copyright 2023 - Utah Cultural Alliance Foundation. Propelled forward by a mostly volunteer staff and guild, the stage is now set for an even loftier future for DHT. DHT’s reputation continues to grow as a great place for quality family entertainment – and a great place for youth and adults to spread their wings in the arts. Three years later, Vanessa retired as manager-leaving the non-profit board, headed by Artistic Director Kevin McClellan and Board Chair Rhonda Neiswender, to manage the theater and produce the events. In 1998, Draper Historic Theatre became a non-profit organization. DHT’s reputation continues to grow as a great place for quality family entertainme. This dedicated couple added theatrical lighting and sound and expanded the stage, enabling the presentation of live shows, making DHT the only privately owned live theater in the south Salt Lake Valley.įrom small beginnings to full productions of favorite plays and musicals, the theater grew to what could be called “the best kept secret in the valley.” Tales are told (by now upstanding citizens) of a cherry bomb or two set off during shows and of sneaking buddies in through the back door.įast forward fifty years, when the theater was purchased by educators Charles and Vanessa Nelson. For many generations this building, now on the Draper Historic Register, served as a gathering place for the south end of the valley. Locals felt fortunate to have a first run theatre right in their small town. During the depression, a bag of groceries was given away every Friday night. Even a few big names, like Tex Ritter, graced the stage of “The Pearl”. Vaudeville acts started off the evening and a movie or two would follow. Howell family built a movie house in Draper-“The Pearl” was born. The story began in 1938, when the Annie Pearl and John A.
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