Origins and Early Beginnings
The theater group known as Haines City Theatre (HCT) traces its roots to the early 1980s. According to a community-plan document, Jan Brungard, Tom King, and Nancy March founded it in 1981
Their mission has always been strongly community-oriented: to entertain, educate, and enrich Haines City’s residents through intimate, live theatrical experiences.
For many years, the theater did not have a dedicated building. Their performances were held in a variety of local spaces, reflecting the early grassroots nature of the company.
Move to the Old Library Building (2014)
A major milestone came in 2014, when Haines City Theatre secured a new permanent home: the old library building at 303 Ledwith Avenue, located in front of Lake Eva Park.
The decision to use the former library came as a response to structural problems in their previous venue. Under an agreement with the city, HCT shares the building with Leisure Services, allowing for joint use of the space — a model that helps maintain both community programming and civic support.
This move into the new location significantly elevated their presence in the community, giving HCT a stable, visible “home base.” shutdown123