Housatonic Musical Theatre Society (HMTS)

HMTS is the musical theatre organization at HVRHS; students of all levels are encouraged to participate, either onstage or backstage.  The annual March production teaches team-building and empowers students with strengthened self-esteem, pride and confidence. Both of its founders, Lori Belter and Michael Berkeley, had extraordinary high school musical theatre experiences and were committed to passing that on to future generations.

Each HMTS production involves 35 or more students.  Auditions are held in the fall and interested students are encouraged to participate in the friendliest audition experience possible.  They reflect HMTS’s commitment to the principle that everyone has something to offer and developing each student’s strengths and belief in themselves.  In addition to being on-stage, students can help design show posters, build and paint set pieces, hang lights, run spotlights, manage props, and be stage hands.

Approximately 10% of the yearly budget is provided by the school; the remaining amount is raised through fundraising events, sponsorships, program ads, donations, concessions, and ticket sales.  Parent volunteers are an intrinsic part of the success of the program and help with fundraising, set building, painting, concessions, and marketing.

Past shows include: Into the Woods, Sound of Music, Grease, Bye Bye Birdie, How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying, Little Shop Of Horrors, Guys And Dolls, Anything Goes, A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum, South Pacific and Fiddler On The Roof.

If you have any questions, contact Housatonic Musical Theatre Society Director, Christiane Olson, at colson@hvrhs.org.