What is “The Hat?”
The Hat Theater Collective is a new collaborative theater ensemble created by Danae DeShazer.
Through innovative and immersive theatrical experiences, The Hat strives to be a catalyst for change, community, and conversation. The Hat’s original historical drama inspired by local history, The Ballad of Old Manatee, raised more than $4000 for historical preservation—and will return to Downtown Bradenton in April 2024.
The Hat’s mission is to create empathetic communities through site-specific theatrical experiences. Unlike traditional live theater, attending a production at The Hat will be unique each time! From immersive theater at a historical park to the courtyard of a Greek restaurant, site-specific theater allows The Hat to activate the Bradenton community in new and dynamic ways. The Hat collaborates with Manatee County organizations, non-profits, and businesses to present new works, contemporary plays and musicals, and cabarets in unconventional spaces.
Mission
The Hat Theater Collective enriches its community through culturally-important and inspirational theatrical experiences.
THE HAT THEATER COLLECTIVE ASPIRES…
To be a theater for everyone.
To create conversation.
To be a thought-leader among cultural organizations on the Gulf Coast.
To produce high-quality art.
To be a connector between other cultural organizations, not-for-profits, and businesses through exciting partnerships, collaborations, and conversations.
To provide a safe haven and space for directors, writers, designers, actors, and artisans that foster and nurture their creative ability and expand their talents.
CONNECTION
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TEAMWORK
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EMPATHY
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INCLUSIVITY
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ACCESSIBILITY
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CONNECTION 〰️ TEAMWORK 〰️ EMPATHY 〰️ INCLUSIVITY 〰️ ACCESSIBILITY 〰️
Creating “The Hat”
Stephen Sondheim's musical, "Sunday in the Park with George," contains an iconic song about artistry called "Finishing The Hat.” In the song, the character (based on real-life artist) George Seurat describes the act of creating and how fluid and demanding it is - and then the end product is just that. As simple as The Hat. It’s demanding, monotonous, and a thorough process. Creating. Art. And in the end, he says, “Look, I made a hat. Where there never was a hat.”
And that’s art, isn’t it? Creating something of nothing. Seeing the world in a different way. Providing perspective to what others see as straightforward and simple. The act of creation is anything but.
Founded by Producing Artistic Director, Danae DeShazer, The Hat Theater Collective started creating immersive theatrical experiences in 2023.
Danae DeShazer
FOUNDER + PRODUCING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Danae DeShazer (she/her/hers) is a professional director, actor, teaching artist, and choreographer with a varied career that has swept her all across the country. Her directing work has been seen locally at Theatre Odyssey, The Players Centre, and Manatee Performing Arts Center.
Danae is the Founder and Producing Artistic Director of The Hat Theatre Collective, a new collaborative theater ensemble in Bradenton, FL. Named Bradenton’s Best Live Theater (2023 Gold Winner) by the Bradenton Herald, The Hat creates innovative and immersive theatrical experiences. The Hat’s original historical drama inspired by local history, "The Ballad of Old Manatee," raised more than $4000 for historical preservation—and will return to Downtown Bradenton in April 2024. The Hat's focus is on site-specific theater, which activates unconventional spaces and brings together communities through new plays, contemporary musicals, and cabarets.
As the Associate Artistic Director at McLeod Summer Playhouse in Carbondale, Illinois, she directed "9 to 5, The Musical," "The Drowsy Chaperone," "Once Upon a Mattress," and the Illinois Premiere of "Polkadots! The Cool Kids Musical." She has toured with several youth theater companies, including The National Theatre for Children, Prairie Fire Children's Theatre, and Lexington Children's Theatre. As an actor, some of her favorite roles include Donna in "Mamma Mia," Polly in "Crazy For You," Baker's Wife in "Into The Woods," and Violet in "Side Show." She originated the role of “Ruth” in the world premiere of “The Home Game” with Blue Gate Musicals and can be heard on the original cast album.
In addition to her life as a professional theater artist, she has worked in marketing & public relations for 15 years, currently as a Social Media Strategist with Energize Group. Previously, she was the Director of Brand Strategy at Bradenton’s premier branding studio, Sokos Solutions. She has also served as an arts administrator at organizations like TADA! Youth Theater (NYC), Florida Studio Theatre (Sarasota), and the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County.
