Hillbarn Theatre Launches New Website, Will Hold 26th Annual BRAVO! Awards in November

Today, Hillbarn Theatre Executive Artistic Director Dan Demers announced major changes and events coming soon to the Peninsula's premier community theatre company including a three-phase renovation project and the launching of a brand new website. In addition, Hillbarn Theatre will hold the 26th Annual BRAVO! Awards on Saturday, November 8, 2014. The BRAVO! Awards is Hillbarn Theatre's largest annual fundraising event for the 2014-2015 season.

Hillbarn Theatre recently broke ground on the first phase of their renovation plans contracting with Midglen Studio to make major updates to the building's main offices, bathrooms, and foyer/lobby. In conjunction with these new renovations, Hillbarn also announced the launch of a brand-new modern website. Launched on October 10, 2014, the new website is designed with a fresh look, state of the art graphics, and user-friendly navigation. Updated with the latest information for Hillbarn's 2014-2015 "A Season of Awakening," the website makes it easier for patrons to explore and purchase tickets online for the 2014-15 season.

"To coincide with our theme of "A Season of Awakening" for the 2014-15 season, what better time than now to announce this ground breaking renovation project that has been 4 years in the making. And it is due to the board, our dedicated patrons, former leadership, and our amazing theatrical family that this long overdue remodel to our facilities has finally begun," said Executive Artistic Director Dan Demers. "There is a lot of change going on here at Hillbarn, and our patrons and staff have never been more excited to grow and embrace the future of our theatre."

Since 1989, Hillbarn Theatre has annually honored leading figures in the artistic community with the BRAVO! Awards ceremony. Now in its 26th year, the BRAVO! Awards ceremony - held this year on Saturday, November 8 - helps Hillbarn Theatre raise additional revenue for their growing Conservatory program, which educates children and adolescents (ages 4-18) in the performing arts as well as supports their six main-stage productions every season. This event celebrates the accomplishments of an individual, or individuals, who have had significant an impact on the arts and culture in San Mateo County.

This year's recipient of the Hillbarn Theatre 2014 BRAVO! Award is former Hillbarn Music Director, Greg Sudmeier, whose extensive career also includes work at LucasFilm where he collaborated with many award winning artists from Randy Newman to Journey as well as worked on many feature films with the Skywalker Symphony featuring performances on the Grammy nominated Star Wars album with John Williams. He currently is Music Director for Diablo Ballet and the Fremont Symphony Orchestra.

This year's recipient of the 2014 Encore Award is Hillbarn Theatre's former Executive Producing Director, Lee Foster. Foster graced Hillbarn from 1997 to June 2014 and was named Executive Producing Director in 2009. She directed two Hillbarn shows, including the smash hit Ragtime and the award-nominated production of The Color Purple. Lee was also the Executive Director of Diablo Ballet and the Fremont Symphony Orchestra as part of Hillbarn's management alliance to assist smaller non-profits. She is the recipient of numerous honors, including recognition from Congresswoman Jackie Speier, the 2008 BRAVO! Award, the 2005 ArtShare Diamond Award, and the 2003 Foster City Honors Award.

For more information on the 26th Annual Bravo! Awards ceremony or to purchase tickets, visit hillbarntheatre.org/support/bravo/.

Hillbarn Theatre's 2014-15 season, "A Season of Awakening," features three iconic plays and three hit musicals. In addition to Funny Girl and The 39 Steps, the productions include: Irving Berlin's White Christmas (December 4 - 21, 2014), Amadeus (January 22 - February 8, 2015), Proof (March 12 - 29, 2015) and Curtains (May 7 - 31, 2015). Subscriptions for the six-show season range in price from $72 - $192 and are available by visiting hillbarntheatre.org/subscribe or calling 650.349.6411 ext. 2.

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