Hunter Hills Reunion Set for July 21-23

A 1967 performance of Carousel

A reunion of all Hunter Hills Theatre alumni and friends will be held in Gatlinburg, Tenn., July 21-23, 2006. The gathering marks the 40th anniversary since the first UT theatre production premiered there in 1966, as well as the 50th anniversary since the grand opening of the theatre in 1956.

Nestled in the Smoky Mountains near Gatlinburg, Hunter Hills was a 2,600 seat, Greek-style amphitheatre with seven stages. Built in 1955 by R.L. Maples and his wife, Wilma, the theatre became the home of Kermit Hunter’s original drama, “Chucky Jack,” the story of Tennessee pioneer John Sevier.

In 1966, the Maples gave Hunter Hills Theatre to the University of Tennessee. R.L. Maples, who attended UT from 1928-1932, and Wilma Maples (who is still a major contributor to UT), said their gift was a way “to help the young people in the state and to provide the university with an opportunity to further the art and cultural development of the region.”

From 1966-1977, under the direction of the late James Frederick Fields, the university theatre department produced outdoor musical theatre and drama during the summers, with Dr. Tom Cooke assuming the helm in 1977. Some of the best known productions were “Oklahoma,” “Annie Get your Gun,” “Hello Dolly,” and the mountain drama “Dark of the Moon.” Hunter Hills provided summer stock theatrical training for hundreds of UT students, many of whom went on to become professional stage, film, and TV performers, as well as directors, writers, and designers. Numerous students became educators, and some are now heads of college theatre departments all across the U.S.

Events for the upcoming reunion include memorabilia displays, videos of past reunions from 1986 and 1991, a picnic, and a gala evening with banquet, show, and dancing.

To register or for more information, contact:

Pre-Registration Deadline: June 21, 2006

Getting there:

Back to eTorch