ROCK ISLAND, IL - The District Theatre (formerly Harrison Hilltop Theatre) has entered a new era.  The theatre, located in downtown Rock Island on 2nd Avenue has completed the process to become a non-profit theatre and has inducted a board of directors, which includes Bryan Tank, Deborah Shippy, Georgia Jecklin, Thomas Hanson, Joseph Maubach, Dana Copell, and Lora Adams.  Matt Mercer is the board president.

"I had wanted to complete the season as planned, but the board and I met and felt that rather than wait to implement our new business strategies with the beginning of the sixth season, we roll them out now," said Tristan Tapscott, District Theatre Artistic Director.

"We looked at our projected expenses and revenue and made the decision to unveil our 'new vision' for the District Theatre immediately," said board president, Mercer.  That new vision included changing some of the lineup for the remainder of the year, partnering with other arts organizations and producing special events like the upcoming roast of Tristan Layne Tapscott on July 20th.  The theatre's website is undergoing a change and will be unveiled later this summer.

Opening June 28 is "Reasons to Be Pretty" followed by, James Fairchild's one man cabaret titled "Out of Character."  New offerings begin August 1st with "Twelve Angry Men" "Let's Face the Music," a musical revue, in September; "The Agony and Ecstasy of Steve Jobs" in early October and "The Rocky Horror Show" in late October. November 15-24 will be "The Tempest" with and rounding out the year will be the critically acclaimed musical "A Christmas Carol" by Tapscott and Danny White running December 6 to 15.

"In many ways we are returning to our roots presenting a classic play, a new musical and a contemporary show this fall," said Tapscott

The District Theatre formerly known as Harrison Hilltop theatre, opened in 2008 and moved to their Rock Island location in June 2011. At that time the theatre changed its name to better define its new location in The District of Rock Island.  

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