HST Events

Outreach Performances
Over the years, HST has done many community outreach performances. Some examples include Leisure World & Asbury retirement communities, the MCAG Fair, community festivals, and small church/business groups.

Glenview Mansion Christmas Decorating
HST participates in the Glenview Mansion Christmas Decorating program. Each year, groups are asked to decorate a Christmas tree according to the selected theme. HST students design/decorate a tree and/or a Nativity each Christmas.

Sponsor of Peerless Rockville’s Homes & Hospitality Tour
Every May, HST students have volunteered to be servers and musicians at the dessert house on Peerless Rockville’s Homes & Hospitality Tour (previously known as Peerless’ Progressive Dinner). Peerless and HST have networked in various ways over the years. Some examples include HST students participating in Peerless’ historical programs (such as Civic War reenactments) and Peerless creating a WWII display to honor veterans at one of HST’s shows.

Participant In MCAG Fair Homeschool Day
HST has supported Home School Day at the MCAG Fair since it was first established. HST sets up an information booth and has provided entertainment and/or demonstrations. Many HST students/families find this day to be a wonderful “HST reunion” after the summer months of missing HST friends.

Annual Pool Party
The first Friday after Memorial Day is the traditional date for HST’s annual pool party. HST rents a community pool from Noon to three so that all of HST’s students and their families can attend. HST provides grilled kosher hot dogs and drinks, while families bring something to share. There are plenty of life guards, a large baby pool, a sand volleyball court, a basketball net, ping-pong, and lots of fun for all. This is a favorite HST event where directors, producers, teachers, parents and students ALL get to relax and enjoy each other’s company!

HST Formal
HST has sponsored a Formal for our students, guests, and college aged alumni since 2003. This annual event is held in June at the Glenview Mansion in Rockville, MD. HST parents serve a sit-down dinner in the formal dining room prior to an evening of dancing, strolling in the beautiful gardens and enjoying the art gallery exhibit on the 2nd floor. All attendees must be age 15 or over by January 1st of that year.  Most students do not bring dates, but everyone dances and has a wonderful, wholesome evening of fun!

Troupe Award Presentation/Party
Student awards have been an HST tradition from our very first ‘95/’96 season.  Our TROUPE performers are presented with an award designed each year by artist, Chris Stephanelli. The award presentation is after the final performance of each show and is followed by an optional “party” at a local restaurant.

HST Work Days
Although a “work” day would not be considered a “social” event by many organizations, HST students enjoy any excuse to get together. Periodically, HST undertakes a major project or is “hired” by a director or parent to provide manpower for an event. These days often end with a fun social gathering.

Variety Show
HST puts on an annual Variety Show in conjunction with our Silent Auction (the Friday before Thanksgiving). The event is free and allows our students to showcase their varied talents. Additionally, HST’s troupes and Acting/Overture classes perform - providing a “sneak peak” at the work they are doing.

HST Yearbook
HST puts together a Yearbook/Photo Directory each year. Students provide a bio of themselves, and HST takes their pictures during our opening parent/student mandatory meeting. We sell these books for a minimal price just to cover the printing costs. The purpose of this project is to provide a means for directors, parents and students to get to know more about the 170+ students and 16 producers/directors/teachers that participate in HST programs. Additionally, students love to have each other sign their books at the end of the year.

Student Jobs/Internships
HST has always utilized the talents of our students. Over the years, we have created jobs/internships for students interested in marketing, fundraising, graphics, business administration, web-design, videography, and photography. These students get the opportunity to work with the adults who fulfill these needs for HST. In several cases, the students have eventually taken over these tasks in-part or entirely.

Student Committees
HST’s highschool troupes (Shakespeare and Senior) require each student to sign up for at least one committee job. Almost all of HST’s fundraising, social, and community service events have student committees to help with planning and support. We have found these committees to be beneficial for both HST and the students. The students develop valuable leadership experience that can be listed on college applications, while HST benefits from the additional energy that student planning brings to our events.

Student Marketing
HST students participate in our ticket marketing campaign. Students are given envelopes to address to their family and friends. Ideally, they should put a personal note inside explaining which shows they are in and offering to purchase tickets for family/friends at student discount prices. These envelopes are turned in for HST parents to collate and stuff with our Season flier. Students can earn a pizza party for their HST group by meeting their “goal” for total number of envelopes. Additionally, they learn to value the wonderful audiences that come to attend their shows.

HST students must raise all the money for their sets/props/costumes. Since our tuition is half of comparable after-school programs, there is no allotment in our budget for these items. HST students learn to take on responsibility because of the need to fundraise. They are given opportunities to develop leadership and “social skills” through HST’s fundraising