The Hat Theater Collective Donates $4400 To Manatee County Non-Profit For Historical Preservation

The Hat Theater Collective, a new immersive theater company in Bradenton, has announced a charitable contribution in the amount of $4400 to the Manatee County Historical Commission, Inc. The funds will assist in the repairs and maintenance of the 1887 Church at the Manatee Village Historical Park.

The donation was made possible through the ticket sales of The Ballad of Old Manatee, The Hat's inaugural production that took place April 21 - May 7, 2023, at the Manatee Village Historical Park. The Manatee Historical Commission, Inc., maintains the historically-significant buildings within the Historical Park in order to preserve and share the heritage of Manatee County's founding period (1840-1918).

"The purpose of The Hat Theater Collective is to be a catalyst for change, community, and conversation," shared Danae DeShazer, Producing Artistic Director and Co-Creator of The Ballad of Old Manatee. "With our world premiere musical, we achieved just that. Not only did we create a completely new and immersive theatrical experience that the community of Bradenton has never seen before, but we were also able to raise thousands of dollars for historic preservation. That is how the arts can shape a community."

The Ballad of Old Manatee, a historical drama inspired by early Manatee County history, tells the dynamic love story of James C. Vanderipe and Sarah Lee-and an intense conflict between James and Sarah's father, the Reverend Edmund Lee. This conflict, shrouded in mystery and intrigue, leads to James' death and burial in what is called "The Lonesome Grave." The Sarasota Herald-Tribune called it "informative, speculative, engaging, and entertaining," and "a great way to bring life to this local historical treasure."

"We at The Manatee County Historical Commission Inc. are so grateful for this opportunity to collaborate with The Hat Theater Collective and we look forward to teaming with the organization again and continuing to make a difference together," said Jeffrey Downing, Chairperson. "Thank you so much to the Community for supporting a great cause. The event was a resounding success bringing the community together and raising funds to repair the 1887 Church. To date, $19,580 raised toward the next steps in restoration of the ceiling, foundation, and a new roof."