This article is one in a series of articles about what life looks like in Butler County ahead of the nation’s 250th anniversary on July 4, 2026. Stories in this series aim to showcase what it’s like to live, work, play and serve in Butler County during this moment in history.

Katie Moore, vice chairperson of Butler Little Theatre’s board, says it can take 125 hours to produce, direct or act in a community theater show.

Volunteering for all the county’s theater companies, which include Musical Theatre Guild of Butler and Hobnob Theatre Company, could increase that number.

“It becomes your home,” Moore said of the theater. “I can’t tell you how many times I pull out my house keys to get into the theater.”

“Whatever amount of time you think it takes to do something in the theater, you should probably double or triple that number,” said Ken Smith, co-founder of Hobnob.

No matter the time, members of Butler’s theater companies said there is a desire to create something bigger than themselves and serve Butler.

And regardless of which company you get involved in, according to Matt Leslie, there is a nurturing community waiting for you.

“We’re welcoming. We’re open to embracing new people and new ideas,” he said. “In sports you build relationships, become part of a team … this is just a lot less contact. It’s taught me how to swordfight, clowning, and it builds empathy skills … I’m part of something bigger than me.”

Cole Myers, of Karns City, had not graced the stage since high school, but said he, too, found a home among the groups.

“The theater community in Butler wants everyone to succeed … There’s no malice,” he said. “You also have a support system out there. No matter what you’re going through, there’s someone always there.”

What they all have in common, according to Elizabeth Smith, is a desire to continue producing good stories.

“Human beings are created to create,” she said. “And theater encompasses so many different types of art.”

Ken and Elizabeth Smith, co-founders of Hobnob, created the company in 2012. They acquired a space on Main Street in Butler to produce theatrical projects, with a goal of changing the perception and experience of theater.

They have taken on cabarets, original music concerts, readers theater, 24-hour theater and charitable events in the space, in addition to a normal season of shows. They are especially excited about a new endeavor they are facilitating this September — a sketch comedy show in the North Country Brewing Co. canning facility. And they are open to other original ideas.

“We never wanted it to be just about what we want,” Ken Smith said. “We think of it as a theatrical playground and hope people will take advantage of it.”

The organization provides artistic outreach through children’s theater workshops, casting projects like a silent film for the cultural district and a corps of improvisational performers to entertain at fundraisers.

In accordance with their mission, they frequently perform outside of their downtown building as well — in breweries, parks, the Butler Art Center and beyond. And it’s always intentional, according to Ken Smith.

“Maybe we get people to see those (performances) that wouldn’t come to our other shows,” he said. “We had to think about who we were trying to be and how to be successful.”

Jessica Sanzotti, of Butler, said musical directing for the Musical Theatre Guild and serving on the board at Butler Little Theatre has cultivated a confidence in her, showing her the importance of camaraderie.

“Theater certainly brings people together,” she said. “Not only as performers. It also serves our community. When you’re doing that service for someone else, you’re getting something out of it, too.”

She cited recent comedies like “Disaster!” at the Musical Theatre Guild, and the spoof “Holiday Channel Christmas Movie Wonderthon” at the Butler Little Theatre as part of that service.

“When we’re in this world of doom and gloom, theater offers an escape,” she said. “Take in someone else’s problems, laugh for no reason.”

Phillip Ball is a known face in Butler’s arts community, onstage and off. He said he started in the Summer Dramatics program, and over the past 30 years has served on the boards of Butler Little Theatre and Musical Theatre Guild.

Ball said theater companies across the county provide opportunities for all types of performers, and easy access for patrons.

“Do you want your only option to see theater to be to drive to Pittsburgh, pay for parking and a professional ticket?” he said. “If you’re energized by theater, keeping it local is an incentive for you.”

Ball added he hopes communities will continue to see the value in this type of art, as it provides a chance for powerful human interaction.

“It holds much more weight, it has a more resonating effect,” he said.

According to Moore, the community is always looking for people eager to learn new skills and be part of a family.

“Human beings working together, human beings coming to see other human beings perform. That’s what makes it valuable, the human component of it all,” she said.

“There is no AI in live theater,” Ken echoed. “I think it’s built into us as human beings to want to hear and tell stories.”

Myers said communities like Butler need theater to connect its population.

“Theater offers a mirror into society,” Myers said. “It makes us think about the world we live in. It offers people a place to unite and align in their thinking. Even if they don’t realize the parallels to their own lives in a story.”