Artisan Center Theater

05/15/2025

Hayden Casey directed Bright Star for, what turned out to be, the final Main Stage production, closing March 2, 2024. Here is a clip from the final performance. More to come…

05/06/2025

This is Richard Blair. If the information I received is correct, our former landlord finished selling off everything that was once Artisan Center Theater, closing 22 years of memories.

Many have asked, "What was your favorite production?" The answer is, "All of them." It is difficult to pick just one, because each production contained cherished memories with gifted actors, directors, volunteers, and patrons. I have about 50 terabytes of Artisan Center Theater history in various media forms, showcasing our community's talent and spirit.

Today, I am introducing Artisan Archives to memorialize those memories. Looking back, if there was a single production that encompasses the heartache of loss, monetarily, yet embraces the 'why', I gave thirty years of my life to support DeeAnn Sorensen Blair in theater and Dorothy Ann Sanders in the formation of Artisan, it would be CIVIL WAR.

Directed by Dennis Canright's genius with the help of an exceptionally gifted Nate Davis (now a prominent builder), Civil War, written by Frank Wildhorn, stirs the heart and reminds us how precious this country is and how fragile the freedoms we hold dear.

In this July 2, 2013 clip, David Cook (now "Judge David Cook") closes out 'The Last Waltz of Dixie' before joining Bill Brooks, 14-year-old Maddy Myers, and the cast to sing 'For the Glory.' ...

More to come...

09/26/2024

This is a small tribute to one of our all-time favorite actors.

08/13/2024

Thank you, Georgie London and Fort Worth Report, for this kind article. You captured the spirit of Artisan and our mission.

The Artisan Center Theater in Hurst fostered talent and community for more than two decades.

08/09/2024

Today, we officially closed out our journey with a beautiful children’s performance. As I sat there, a young girl said something that really struck me: "You can’t choose anyone’s path for them." She’s absolutely right. Each of us has our own story, our own character to develop, and our own path to walk.

For the past six months, my friends and I have done our best to keep the spirit of Artisan alive, and I’m so proud of what we’ve accomplished together. The legacy of Artisan lives on in its people, in the passion, creativity, and heart that each of us carries forward.

I’m honored to have been a part of something so grand. Here's to the memories we've made and the future that lies ahead.

All for one and one for all…”
Renee Norris

08/09/2024

A very happy birthday to our much loved house manager, medic, protector of stage managers, and pal: Seret!

08/07/2024

Some people just have class. When DeeAnn passed, Renee Norris stepped in to volunteer and rescue the organization and the children with her special brand of love and leadership. After all we put her through, she thanks "me" with this special parting gift... 🥲🥰😇 Thank you,, everyone,, for the enormous gifts of love and support these past twenty-one years. I will treasure these, Renee.

08/04/2024

“To Cameron Byerly and Richard Blair,

Hi there, I’m the lyricist of Anastasia, and I just happened to see a news piece online about your theater having to close down. It made me so sad, because clearly it means a lot to you all, and it means a lot to us, too.

I hope you get this note in time to share it with the kids, to tell them how great they are, and to wish everyone the best for this weekend. I speak for myself, my collaborator Stephen Flaherty and everyone who originally created Anastasia in saying congratulations and thank you!!

We wish you a joyous production, filled with “things you’ll always remember.”

All best,
Lynn Ahrens (and Stephen Flaherty)”

08/04/2024

There are still some seats left... whadaya say we fill this up 800 seat theater for the final show? These youth have truly created "a love letter" to DeeAnn and her legacy. I think she would actually have approved of the final performance being on the sabbath.... OK, maybe not 😉... Go ahead, share this picture and invite your friends.

08/04/2024

Today marks the final production of Anastasia at Artisan Center Theater. You can purchase your tickets now online or at the door. We look forward to seeing familiar faces and sharing memories and hugs.

Additionally, we have one more camp this week at First United Methodist Church of Hurst, who graciously opened their doors to us immediately after we were locked out. We are forever grateful to the staff and parishioners for providing us a temporary home and to Birdville ISD for partnering with us over the years, especially this summer.

Please share your memories and photos with us as a way to preserve the goodness brought to us for 21 years by our visionary founder, DeeAnn Blair. This will provide a wonderful reflection for Richard Blair and his family.

TICKETS
https://ci.ovationtix.com/36016/production/1202884?performanceId=11476657

VILLAINS CAMP
https://artisan-academy.coursestorm.com/category/production-camps