Our Story and Mission

The Hopebox Theatre is built on the power of the performing arts to help people heal.  As a four time cancer survivor our founder Jan Williams has known first hand the struggle and strain that cancer puts on an individual, their family, and their community.  It was during her third battle with cancer during an especially difficult treatment that the vision of the Hopebox came to be.  A group of her theater students came to her doorstep one evening and sang broadway show tunes that showed love and support and the hope that Jan would have a better tomorrow.  In her own words...

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"On the night of January 1 of 2014  I had an emergency surgery that lead me to finding out that I had stage 3 Ovarian Cancer. And as a result I had to undergo 6 months of Chemotherapy. (This was my 3rd time battling this disease...) I would receive a treatment every Friday for a total of 18 chemo treatments. I lost my health, my hair, and especially my energy… but not my spirit! During those difficult times and especially the sleepless nights,  I would think of the many kids that I have taught throughout  the years, and all the joy that music and the performing arts has brought to me. The only thing that would save me from myself would be listening to music or going and seeing a musical production of some kind! At nights I would take out my little notebook that I would keep by my bedside and write down those thoughts as they would come. And as a result I came up with my new adventure that I am ready to embark upon today!

After being told that my cancer is in remission and that I am as of today cancer free, I am ready to live out my dream and start my new adventure! Showstopper Productions & Showstopper Academy has a new home that I have created to involve not just me and my students …but the whole community and hopefully many, many more! Introducing… the “Hopebox Theater!”  I came up with this idea in the middle of the night during one of my hardest treatments. It’s a theater in which gives back to those who are struggling, dealing with or a survivor of Cancer or other life threatening ailments!  This is a place where creativity, vision, talents combined with love and support can give back to all those who need some new” Hope” in their lives.    I want to be able to help those like myself find joy and hope through the performing arts as I have.  So I decided to put both of my experience together and create a “Hopebox Foundation” where family, friends, and community can come together to help and lift ones spirit! The Hopebox Theater can give hope to you, your family, a complete stranger but especially someone you love!"  - Jan Williams

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From this vision we have our mission.

To Bring Hope To Families Battling Cancer Through the Performing Arts.

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Every person, every production, everything we do at the Hopebox is driven by this mission and we strive to bring hope and light into the lives of those who are battling dark times.  We invite you to join us and be part of our Hopebox Family in whatever way you can. Whether that's on stage, behind the scenes, or in the audience, we want to share our mission with you and those you love.

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Welcome to the Hopebox Theatre!

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