Over $75,000 given to arts education in Catawba County, North Carolina, and beyond since 2016.
Hundreds of artists featured and compensated.
Thousands of lives impacted.

This is Hickory Playground.

 
 
 

Join us for the 8th Annual Hickory Playground Theater Festival!


Click here to learn more.

 

Our Projects

Theater and Arts Festival

The original Hickory Playground. Held (almost) annually at the Drendel Auditorium at the SALT Block in Hickory, NC. The Hickory Playground Festival is a 48-Hour rush of creativity that brings together local talent to write, rehearse, block, and perform original plays and music in 48 hours.

One night only, every summer. All proceeds go directly to the Hickory Playground Public School Grants.

Check out the archive.

Visual Arts Gala

In collaboration with Executive Producer Fanjoy Labrenz Studio, Hickory Playground hosts Art Galas in Hickory, NC, to celebrate the immense talent of the entire region. Visual artists from near and far come to display and sell their art, and we have an art party with live music, hors d'oeuvres, and creative fellowship.

70% of each sale goes to the artist and 30% goes toward Hickory Playground Public School Grants.

Past Projects

During the initial outbreak of the COVID-19 Pandemic, Hickory Playground recognized the inability to put on what would have been Hickory Playground 5. Instead, we launched Quarantine Diaries, an online celebration of the creative arts around the county, state, country, and the world.

We at Hickory Playground have had the honor and privilege to try out numerous creative ideas over the years. Take a look at the bottom of this page for more past projects.

Testimonials

I love my school, students, and program with all of my heart and we are a completely self-funded department. We receive no help in raising funds for our productions and are responsible for fundraising, grant applications, and more. In 2018, with [Hickory Playground] funds, we were able to pay for the rights and royalties to present “Cinderella.” Without this generous donation, we would have definitely been short in other aspects of the production. In 2019, was used to purchase set pieces and the rights and royalties for our production of “Shrek: the Musical.” This organization is a blessing to our program… it is great to know that someone outside of the four walls of our school cares about our students and their theatrical experiences. The Arts touches students’ lives in ways that are impossible to count. Many thanks to Hickory Playground for their support for the Arts and I hope that they can continue to help many schools in our area.

— Alison Andrews, Theatre Teacher, Catawba County Schools

Hickory Playground is a unique and inventive way to bring together creative people to support arts education in our community. As a Hickory resident I am always excited about attending the Playground each year as the process is innovative and fresh. As an arts educator, I am truly moved by the fiscal assistance the Playground provides to arts education programs throughout our community. Thank you Hickory Playground for what you create and what you give back to children in our community.

— Sally Ross, Orchestra Teacher, Hickory Public Schools

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Thank you to everyone that joined us at our 8th Annual Hickory Playground Theater Festival held in July at the Drendel Auditorium. There were far too many amazing photos for us to choose from, but here are some highlights! We are also so happy to an
Highlights from tonight’s performance! With tonight’s donation of over $4,000 we have now reached over $80,000 raised for local schools arts programs since our inception in 2016. Thank you to @davidtrottermedia for the excellent photos.
Meet our casts for Hickory Playground 8! Slide 1- Meet all of our talented playwrights from (L to R)- Ava Pendley, Charlotte Dick, Lee Shackelford, Austin Arditti, David Nields, Eric Seale, Grace Bollinger and Destre Tashjian. Slide 2- Ava Pendley (L
On Thursday night at 7:00 pm 16 actors, 5 playwrights, and 3 musicians gathered together and were assigned props to create a show in 48 hours. The clock is ticking and we looking forward to seeing you in 48 hours at the Drendel Auditorium at 7:00 on
Now introducing the cast and crew of Hickory Playground 8!
Tomorrow at 8am the Hickory Playground founders will join First Talk with Hal Rowe on WHKY 1290 AM and 102.3 FM, please tune in and listen for information for the event happening on Saturday July 27th at the Drendel Auditorium! In the mean time liste
As we are one week away from Hickory Playground 8 we’d like to look back at HPG 5 in 2019 when we raised $15,000 for local schools arts programs! Please join us at the Drendel Auditorium on July 27th to help raise money for local schools arts p
#throwbackthursday! We are officially one month away from Hickory Playground 8 please enjoy some throwback images from past performances of HPG! We look forward to seeing you on July 27th as we raise money for local schools arts programs
Pictures from our company call on June 2nd and 3rd. Thanks to everyone who came out. Join us for Hickory Playground 8 on July 27 at 7:30pm.
Throwback to the Hickory Playground Gala for the Arts in April! Thanks to you, we were able to raise $4,000 for arts departments in public schools. If you weren’t able to make it, no worries! Hickory Playground 8 is on July 27 with all procee
Calling all actors, writers, techies, and volunteers for an HPG info session! Join us at 7:00PM on June 2 at Hickory Community Theater and/or on June 3 at the Green Room Community Theater to talk about how you can be involved in the 8th Annual Hickor
Join us for a night of new plays, music, and more at the 8th Annual Hickory Playground Theater Festival on July 27 at 7:30PM at Drendel Auditorium! Tickets are free (with a suggested donation) and available at the door! All proceeds go to art depar
Tonight is the night! Come on out and support the arts in public education! Tickets will be available at the door. Fanjoy-Labrenz Studio 215 1st Ave SW
We are one week away from Hickory Playground’s Gala! Check out some of the local artists that will be selling their works at the Gala. 70% of all sales go to the artists and 30% go directly back toward Hickory Playground’s donation to ar
For the first time since 2019, HPG will be having our annual Gala for the Arts! All proceeds raised go directly back to arts departments in public education. Multiple artists will be selling their pieces, and we will have live music and refreshments
Some highlights from a great festival! 🎲🍸Stay tuned for the school grant application
Did someone say MERCH? Join us TONIGHT at the Drendel Auditorium, 7:30 PM for an evening of comedy, music, and theater. Tickets are FREE at the door with a suggested donation. Any donation exceeding $20 comes with a free tie-dye HPG t-shirt or bag!