Minding Your Business- Cape Cod Theater Company/Harwich Junior Theater

One of the most beloved and cherished institutions in the Lower Cape is a place where community, inclusion and creativity intersect to make pure magic. The Cape Cod Theater Company/Harwich Junior Theater (CCTC/HJT) on Division street (as well as the Arts center on Sisson Road) is the premier destination for year-round live theater productions and arts education. As they embark on their landmark 75th year in 2026, the team at CCTC/HJT is looking forward to a full slate of shows, classes, special events and more!

With a busy summer behind them with popular productions like “The Little Mermaid,” “How I became a Pirate,” “Peter Pan,” “The Hobbit” and “The Marvelous Wonderettes,” CCTC/HJT is gearing up for a busy fall and holiday season. Producing Artistic Director Jenn Pina is very much looking forward to the upcoming productions of “Clue!” which will be presented on the main stage from Oct. 16 to Nov. 9 and “Annie” which runs Dec. 5 to 30. 

Although the 2026 season has not yet been announced (stay tuned!), Pina does note that putting the schedule together is a very collaborative effort. In planning the year ahead, she works with her other full-time year round staff who include Emily Murray (director of education and community outreach), Matt Kohler (technical director and facilities manager) and Trish LaRose (assistant to the producer). 

Pina said, “I lean very heavily on Matt, Trish and Emily on any show that I am considering. We are such a collaborative team in terms of our thought partnership. We talk all the time about how do we continue to make this an empowering, inspiring, welcoming and inclusive creative community.”

As she prepares for the 75th anniversary year, Pina was thrilled to be able to poll the community on what they would like to see on stage.

“This year we reached out to our entire community with a survey to ask people which shows they love,” Pina said. “It was nice to see a variety of shows in their responses that were geared towards a variety of ages. People really understand that we are a multi-generational theater in all ways possible.”

Pina and the CCTC/HJT team will continue to lean into their Page to Stage initiative that brings literary favorites to the stage in partnership with local schools, libraries and businesses. In the recent past CCTC/HJT has brought storybook and fiction favorites like “Dracula,” “Elephant and Piggie,” and “The Hobbit” to the stage.

“Two years ago we brought back school matinees for the first time since before the pandemic,” Pina said. “We are committed to partnering with schools and libraries to find out what books may be of interest to focus on and we encourage students to read the book before coming to see the play. Being a partner with the schools to bring students to the theater is one of our missions. For many students, when they come here it is their first experience of live theater. It’s transformative.”

On the educational side, CCTC/HJT offers something for everyone all year long for all age ranges. Programs like creative drama, singing, tap and jazz and the very popular Saturday Broadway Kids classes are kicking off over the next week.

Education Director Emily Murray said, “We have all kinds of classes for 4-year-olds to adults year-round as well as school vacation workshops and summer programming. We are offering a great new class called ‘Shakespeare Studio: A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ for pre-teens and teens and an adult comedy improv class and acting for film for adults. We are very excited!”

CCTC/HJT also offers an apprenticeship program that interested and ambitious emerging production teams members can apply to (ages 15 to 26). With a professional mentor and a stipend, people accepted into the program really get a unique opportunity.

“The apprenticeship program is really a pathway,” Pina said. “It’s a pipeline to provide an opportunity for them to build their skills and their network for these emerging designers and artists.

“We are a true community theater. To have this gem, this 75-year-old institution right here in Harwich, doing shows not just for summer but year-round, is amazing,” Pina said. “We welcome everybody in the door and everyone who comes in knows that this is their theater. We learn together things like listening, empathy, how to have your voice heard in a way that is respectful, and the courage it takes to be creative. And we create a safe space. These are powerful tools.”

Check out the CCTC/HJT website at capecodtheatrecompany.org now for all the information on shows, classes and the exciting upcoming anniversary year.

Details:

Cape Cod Theater Company/Harwich Junior Theater

101 Division St., West Harwich

508-432-2002

capecodtheatrecompany.org

“Educate. Empower. Inspire”