Prescott’s historic community theater hub reopens with new name, shows.
The story of the building begins in 1895 when its construction was completed and it opened its doors as the Sacred Heart Church in the center of the Catholic community in Prescott.
The story continues in 1967, when the church building was purchased by Norma Hazeltine, a charter member of the Prescott Fine Arts Association and a long-time docent. Hazeltine then donated it to PFAA to become a full-time performing arts facility.
In 2011, PFAA changed its name to Prescott Center for the Arts (PCA). In 2021, the venue was renamed Suze’s Prescott Center for the Arts after a generous donation created a naming opportunity.
After presenting years of world premieres, musical productions, children’s and family plays and art exhibits, Suze’s Prescott Center for the Arts faced funding difficulties and was forced to close its doors in September 2024.
Today, the stained-glass interior circles of the church are still above the audience area, ready to inspire and welcome a new cast of characters – the theater goers who will again fill the seats to enjoy community performances when the venue opens its doors this month.
It has been renamed The Hazeltine, in honor of Norma Hazeltine, and will again provide a revitalized space to continue the legacy of supporting local creativity.
The salvation of the theater venue was made possible when local arts leaders, business owners and community members formed 4th Wall Productions with the goal of preserving community theater in Prescott. This goal became a reality, thanks to the support of a private benefactor who purchased the Marina Street property.
The 4th Wall Productions Board of Directors, led by chairman Barry Barbe, has set a goal of creating a collaborative, welcoming space for Prescott’s performing arts at The Hazeltine. The broader vision for the space will include hosting traditional, contemporary and experimental performances, as well as offering rental opportunities for corporate events, workshops, lectures and guest performers.
According to The Hazeltine website, home of 4th Wall Productions, (The-Hazeltine.com), December’s opening events include the theme “Dinners in the Theatre” on the Main Stage. “These immersive evenings feature “Postcards from Paris,” Dec. 5, “An Evening in Casablanca,” Dec. 12, and “White Christmas,” Dec. 19, each blending music, film and live performance,” the website stated.
Additional December programs include “The Christmas Tree,” a two-person play featuring Joann Robertson and Sean Jeralds, running Dec. 20-22 and “Where’s the Light?” a celebration of winter holidays round the world by Sticks & Tones with Maria and Henry Flurry, for audiences of all ages, on Dec. 14.
A full season of programming is planned beginning in Spring 2025 and improvements are also scheduled, such as updating the main stage seating.
The church and its office structures have been on the National Registry of Historic Buildings since 1970. QCBN
By Betsey Bruner, QCBN
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