KAYSVILLE—It’s been 10 years since Jan Williams had an experience that inspired her to open the Hopebox Theatre. A place that would provide hope to those battling cancer. Williams knows what it is like to fight for your life, having had cancer four times.

Ten years ago, Williams was having a particularly tough treatment during her third bout with cancer when some of her theater students knocked on her door and started singing some of her favorite songs. She was filled with so much hope and love, she could hardly sleep that night, thinking about how she could bring that same hope to someone else who was dealing with cancer. That’s when the idea of creating Hopebox Theatre came to her.

“The theatre’s mission is to bring hope to families battling cancer through the performing arts,” said Rylee Harris, Hopebox marketing director. “The thought was that attending the theater would create an opportunity for others to experience hope (like Jan did).”

Each performance is dedicated to someone who is fighting cancer, said Harris. “The show is centered around the recipient. The cast gets to know them and spoils them.”

Once they choose a recipient the cast tries to personalize it for them, she said. “When the show starts, the cast comes up to cheer for them and to dedicate the show to the recipient.”

The next show, “Fiddler on the Roof” is dedicated to Wendy Thurman, Harris said. “They’re an amazing family. She was diagnosed with leukemia in 2018 after the birth of her twins, a boy and a girl.”

Their son was diagnosed with short bowel syndrome, she said. “That’s where the small intestine is shorter. They’ve spent a lot of time focusing on research for their son during her treatment so they’re dealing with a lot.”

The community has really rallied around and supported them, said Harris. “Hopefully this show will raise enough money so we can help them.”

Hopebox is also taking on the Kaysville musical “Matilda” in the summer, she said. “Every year Kaysville puts on a musical as a community event. Hopebox will take it on and do the casting, directing and producing and Kaysville City will fund it. We’ll use the Davis High School auditorium.”

Harris said they thought it would be a good opportunity to add a show to their season. “That way we can help even more people battling cancer in the community.”

Hopebox is now accepting new students for its Junior Academy program, she said. “Our students will be doing ‘Alice in Wonderland.’ The children in the show will have the opportunity to benefit a Wall of Hope recipient as well, usually a child in the community who is battling cancer.”

To register email [email protected]. Registration closes Friday, Feb. 7.  

There’s a place on the Hopebox website https://www.hopeboxtheatre.com/ to nominate a recipient, Harris said. “We also try to choose people the cast nominates. It makes it more personal for them.”

Harris said there are a lot of local actors in the shows. “We  have some from Kaysville, Layton and Ogden. They want to share their talents to help. They get really excited about our mission.”

A special feeling comes from performing at the Hopebox, she said. “You know you’re doing it to give someone hope and that you’re making a difference.”

“Fiddler on the Roof” runs from Feb. 14 – March 15. Tickets are available at. For an early bird ticket price discount put in the code “Tradition” to receive $4 off. To donate directly for Wendy use Venmo: givehopebox.