Within their hexagonal Hippodrome hive, swarms of busily buzzing interns, actors and stagehands are beckoned by their queen bee. Mary Hausch sits upon her perch, the producing director’s chair.
The humming crowd silences its chatter. The limelight floods the stage. The curtain draws open. It’s here. It’s show time.
The Hippodrome State Theatre will celebrate its 40th birthday this season. Founded in 1972 by six artists including Hausch, the Hippodrome has become a fixture of downtown Gainesville at 25 SE Second Place.
The theater is a nonprofit organization complete with a 266-seat theater and 80-seat cinema.
Adam Jalali, marketing associate for the Hippodrome, said the theater filled a void of what Gainesville was missing.
“We had humble beginnings, starting out in a hollowed out 7-Eleven type of place, and we’ve grown from there,” he said. “We provided Gainesville with the cultural hub that it needed.”
Jalali said despite movies and television, nothing compares with watching live theater.
“You’re seeing this production unfold and you’re seeing these human beings absorb themselves in a role, and that’s something that’s just irreplaceable,” he said. “There’s something so much more captivating about live theater than any other medium.”
Jalali said that the theater manages to stay successful due to the types of shows it produces.
“Our shows are modern and relevant,” he said. “We stick around because people just can’t get enough of it. It’s a completely different experience we sell at the Hippodrome and I think we’ll be around for a while.”
Jalali said that from the moment a show closes, the Hippodrome staff immediately starts working on the next production.
This season will be the theater’s thank-you letter to its patrons by delivering plays the audience has been demanding, Jalali said.
The theater will produce the Broadway shows “Other Desert Cities,” “Venus in Fur” and “Avenue Q,” along with “A Christmas Carol” and “Robin Hood.”
The Hippodrome has been producing “A Christmas Carol” for 34 years, he said.
“This is our most ambitious season yet,” he said. “It’s definitely diverse. There’s something for everyone and we went out of our way to get these great shows that you wouldn’t see in Gainesville unless we had them.”
The season begins with the first showing of “Other Desert Cities” on Aug. 29.
Jalali said he usually gets emotionally attached to each production.
“You become a theater person working here, and you see the process behind these shows and how much work goes into it,” he said. “You get into the show with your heart and soul and it becomes you. When the show does well, it makes you feel that much better ‘cause you’re proud of your work. “
Rocky Draud, managing director of the Hippodrome, said the theater has grown to become the cultural heart and soul of Gainesville.
“The Hipp inspires and nurtures artists through internships, workshops, and festivals and contributes to the well being and the economy of our community,” he said. “For at least 340 days each year the lights are on and an event - a play, movie, civic forum, or community meeting - occurs at the Hipp.”
Draud said that theater is an essential experience to the growth and enjoyment of life.
“Working here has been a daily reminder of how a small group of people working as a team with a common goal can create miracles,” he said.
