Being Brad
Jeff Hartman Jeff Hartman

Being Brad

Mom's painting is everything Dad wanted to be and everything Dad wanted for me, crafted by the person we cherished most.

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She Schmidt It!

She Schmidt It!

We are so thankful to Corey and to you, Jeff & Carol Anne, for all you have done to instruct, encourage, and support Caroline. Hickory Arts is making such a difference in this girl’s life, allowing her to grow in confidence and ability while still enjoying every minute of the learning process. We appreciate you.

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Maybe Far Away

Maybe Far Away

I never knew as much about my voice as I do now. I went from a good voice and terrible songs to a good voice and great songs! I have improved so much over the months, and I feel so great about my singing.

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Princess Underwood
Jeff Hartman Jeff Hartman

Princess Underwood

I can now officially announce I’m going to be moving to Orlando and working for a company that I’ve always wanted to work for

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State of Grace
Jeff Hartman Jeff Hartman

State of Grace

I opened Hickory Arts for Shannon and then, of course, for the very purpose of allowing time to develop closer, surgical bonds with our developing artists.

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We Are Sydney Cline
Jeff Hartman Jeff Hartman

We Are Sydney Cline

Sydney, like most (if not all) artists I know, is indeed a perfectionist. What I’ve come to realize and encourage through years of trial and error is that there’s beauty, originality, and style in imperfection. Imperfection is the very thing every artist should explore and exploit. But that’s a blog for another day.

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Regally Fond
Jeff Hartman Jeff Hartman

Regally Fond

Meeting Shannon, investing in her as an everything artist at Hickory Arts, more importantly as a friend, is one of the best things that’s ever happened to me.

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Paul Harris Fellowship
Jeff Hartman Jeff Hartman

Paul Harris Fellowship

Hickory Arts Artistic Director Jeff Hartman was surprised on Thursday, June 18, 2015, with a Paul Harris Fellowship as approved by the Rotary Club of Hickory Board of Directors, nominated by Rotarian John Rambo.

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Audition Etiquette
Jeff Hartman Jeff Hartman

Audition Etiquette

Audition Etiquette for Actors has become required reading for Hickory Arts’ developing artists. The industry is polluted at every level with those who underestimate the impact of their behavior as much as those who “apathize” or tolerate anything less than decorum.

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The Art of Ethics
Jeff Hartman Jeff Hartman

The Art of Ethics

There is an art to ethics in, well, art—the business of art. Any working artist knows that for every step you take, you must take two more for the business of you and your art. It’s inescapable. Enter ethics and etiquette.

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Crafting Junk

Crafting Junk

Jeff Hartman, Junk composer, is the Artistic Director and a teaching artist for Hickory Arts, specializing in artist development.

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Merely Players
Jeff Hartman Jeff Hartman

Merely Players

Dustin Ousley asked me to rate the top five roles he’s played. Since “all the world’s a stage and all the men and women merely players…”

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Thanksgiving
Jeff Hartman Jeff Hartman

Thanksgiving

Why we do what we do the way we do it. From Tiffany Faucette, Singer/Songwriter.

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College Recommendations
Jeff Hartman Jeff Hartman

College Recommendations

We’re frequently asked for college recommendations, especially for theatre arts. All recommendations are subjective and first-hand—instructors, former students, and colleagues.

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Jean Valjean
Jeff Hartman Jeff Hartman

Jean Valjean

Folks regularly ask me, "Are you having fun doing Les Misérables?" The answer is, "No, but in a good way."

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The Last "17" Years
Jeff Hartman Jeff Hartman

The Last "17" Years

Hickory Arts & Hickory Community Theatre have partnered to bring Jason Robert Brown's The Last Five Years to The Firemen's Kitchen as part of their Working Artist Series.

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The Last Five Years
Jeff Hartman Jeff Hartman

The Last Five Years

There is always a need to both celebrate and facilitate working artists—that's actors, musicians, designers, tech, especially during the summer months.

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Failure IS an Option

Failure IS an Option

I think we live in a world where the younger generations are being pushed to pursue their dreams (a good thing), but with this attitude, and perhaps even arrogance, that they cannot fail.

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