Our History



A video message from our Co-Founders
 

In 1934, Nathan and Ruth Hale were asked by their church leader to put on a play. They found one that had a $25 royalty but $25 was more money than was in the church activity budget for an entire year. "Write one," they were told. They did and launched a life-time of entertaining millions and a legacy that lives on.

In the early 30's the Hales traveled with their 'acting troupe' to theatres all around Utah. They wrote more and performed more. In 1944 their adventures took them and their children to Southern California so that Nate could get in the movies. Finally, they decided to start a theatre of their own in Glendale, California in a little house that seated 99. They arranged the seats around the room—and voila—their signature theater-in-the-round began. The theatre sold-out regulary so they brought on help—their oldest daugther Sandra and her husban Allan Dietlein became business partners. They build a new theatre of 220 seats. Both theatre sold-out. They built a third theatre of 440 seats. Still operating today, The Glendale Centre Theatre is an icon.

In their 70's and after authoring more than 80 plays and musicals—many published—Nathan and Ruth thought it time to retire. They moved back to Utah, recovered on a couch and braided a rug. They found retirement makes you sick. What to do? Start a new theatre in Utah.

So, in 1985 they found an old lingerie factory in South Salt Lake, UT and asked their daughter Sally Hale Rice and their oldest grandson, Mark Dietlein and his wife (also Sally) to join in a partnership. The Hale Centre Theatre began! The orginal 220 seats began selling-out in just over a year!

A wall was knocked out and new seats were added. 350 seats sold-out in no time and a balcony (of sorts) took HCT to 387. Sell-outs again. Out of seats and out of parking, the theatre began to look for a new home. A change from a for profit business to a 501c3 non profit was necessary to build a bigger theatre and provide more community outreach.

In 1998, West Valley City, UT partnered to build a beautiful new, magical facility with a moving stage. The gorgeous new building boasted 530 seats and state-of-the-art theatrical technology. In 2004 the theatre again began to burst at the seams. A wall was knocked out and seats were added to 613. Patrons filled the house. Up to 16 performances weekly on one stage became the norm. Out of seats and out of parking. What to do?

With the passing of beloved Nathan and Ruth Hale and also beautiful, Sally Hale Rice, Mark and Sally Dietlein and a powerful Board of Trustees moved forward. A new partnership was formed with Sandy City, UT and a theatrical miracle was designed and built.

The Hale Centre Theatre at the Mountain America Performing Arts Centre opened its doors in November 2017. With two stages and plenty of attached free-parking, the theatre was built for growth. The new, Young Living Centre Stage seats 911 in the most technological theatrical space in the world. The Sorenson Legacy Jewel Box Stage comfortably seats 467 in a proscenium thrust style—also bursting with special effects. Well over 560,000 patrons enjoyed plays and musicals at HCT in its first full year of operation and audiences are growing.
 

It has been an amazing ride over 35 years! We are grateful to millions of extraordinary patrons, thousands of actors, hundreds of co-workers and dazzling creatives. We are grateful to have shared a legacy with Grandma and Grandpa Hale and dear, Sally Hale Rice, as this marvelous theatrical adventure continues on.

We, the Board of Trustees, along with 72 full-time, 150 part-time employees and almost 500 actors each year want to thank you for your trust in allowing us to entertain you!

Mark & Sally Dietlein
Co-Founders

 
 

 

The Theatre

Hale Centre Theatre provides extraordinary amenities...

• Two state of the art theatres under one roof...
• Young Living Centre Stage - seating 911
• Sorensen Legacy Jewel Box Stage - seating 467
• Plush theatre seats
• Luxurious lobby and gathering rooms
• State-of-the-art audio and visual technologies
• Award winning scenic, costume, and artistic design
• Innovative stage, lighting, lift, and water effects
• Inspiring aerial theatrics
• Free parking  - adjacent to the theatre
 

 
 
 

Company Information

 

MARK DIETLEIN
Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer


Mark is the oldest grandson of Ruth and Nathan Hale - the third generation to carry the legacy of excellent family theatre which his grandparents began in Southern California in 1947. Today that original theatre is the longest continuously running centre-staged theatre in the nation. Growing up in a theatre family meant being on stage, cleaning the theatre, selling concessions, stage managing and doing anything else necessary. You might say, theatre is in his blood.

In addition to his stage credits, Mark has also been involved in film and voice over work. He is a former member of the doo-wop a’capella group, The Cadillacs, and the BYU Young Ambassadors. Mark graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in financial and estate planning. After several successful years working with national firms, Mark and his wife, Sally, joined forces in 1985 with Grandma and Grandpa Hale and launched Hale Centre Theatre in Salt Lake City. Little did they know that HCT would become the highest attended Theatre in Utah with a base of nearly 24,000 season ticket holders and would receive national acclaim as a community theatre! Mark has performed in, directed or produced scores of plays and musicals at HCT.

Mark is involved on a national level with the Boy Scouts of America and loves working with youth. He and Sally have four children, many grandchildren and currently reside in Bountiful, Utah.
 
 
 

SALLY DIETLEIN
Co-Founder & Artistic Director


Sally co-founded Hale Centre Theatre in 1985 with her husband and Ruth and Nathan Hale. She holds a Bachelors of Arts degree in Speech and Theatre Education from Brigham Young University and taught high school for two of Utah's school districts. In addition to being a featured actress, her broad-based experience also includes choreography for BYU and high school performing groups. She has directed, musically directed and choreographed scores of comedies and musicals produced at Hale Centre Theatre. Sally has also written six full-scale musicals, all of which have been produced at Hale Centre Theatre and other theatres throughout the country. Under her direction, the Hale Centre Theatre has become one of the highest attended theatres in the nation with more than 500,000 patrons annually.

In May 2019 Sally was awarded a Sego Award for first place in the Community and Culture category. The Segos were started in 201 with the goal of recognizing and increasing the visibility of Utah's female business founders and CEOs.
 
 
 

QUINN DIETLEIN
Vice President & Executive Director


Quinn is honored to work at Hale Centre Theatre.  Quinn enjoys the opportunity to work both on the stage and behind the scenes.  Quinn has been featured in several productions including Adam, in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Chauvlin in The Scarlet Pimpernel, and Gaston in Disney's Beauty and the Beast.  When not on stage, Quinn helps in Development, Meeting and Events, and general strategy at Hale Centre Theatre.  Previous to his time at HCT he worked with Flying J as the Northern Regional Sales Manager overseeing financial and insurance services.  Quinn earned his Bachelors Degree in Music and an MBA, both at Utah State University.
 
 
 

MICHAEL D. FOX
Vice President & Chief Operations Officer


Michael attended Southern Utah University on a performance scholarship after winning the Sterling Scholar in Speech and Drama. He received a Bachelor of Science in Business Finance degree from the University of Phoenix. After several years managing medical facilities, he fell back into theatre playing in The Music Man at Hale Centre Theatre in 2002. By the end of the run, he had a job in the office. He worked as Box Office manager for some time and helped create the consolidated role of Director of Operations, taking responsibility for all customer service, financial control and reporting and general operational management with roles in programming and marketing. He became COO in the spring of 2016. He created the international award winning behind-the-scenes video series HCT RAH. He currently serves as Treasurer on the national board for The American Association of Community Theatres (AACT) as well as representing HCT as an associate member of the National Association for Musical Theatre (NAMT). He has been President of the local chapter of INTIX, Intermountain Ticketing Professionals. He most enjoys sitting at the piano accompanying his wife while she sings.
 
 
 

TYSON LEAVITT
Vice President & Chief Production Officer


Tyson is currently the Chief Production Officer for Hale Centre Theatre leading teams through show development, feasibility, design and production.  He works directly with our production teams supporting vision, innovation and immersive storytelling with a focus on eliminating barriers for the entire team.  Previously, Tyson was a Production Stage Manager for Disney Live Entertainment working on multiple projects including: Aladdin, A Musical Spectacular, Frozen: Live at the Hyperion and World of Color. Tyson was also the Production Stage Manager for Walt Disney Imagineering working on a variety of projects including: the Opening Team for Shanghai Disney Resort Entertainment and Boeing and Verity Studios Project, integrating drone technology into live entertainment throughout the parks worldwide. Outside of theatre he enjoys cooking, traveling with his partner and his two dogs.



 

Community Outreach

Hale Centre Theatre is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with specific community-minded activities including:
 
• 11,000+ outreach tickets given each year to non-profit organizations, military families, youth at risk, scouts, seniors, students and more
• The HCT Applauds program honors other non-profits who make a local impact
• Season tickets are donated to KSL's Teacher Feature each year
• Creative community relations campaigns tie into productions and encourage patrons to contribute to various causes and charities
 

 

Board of Trustees


Beyond the 300+ local performers and technicians who participate in our professional environment, HCT also supports the arts in other ways.