Our Mission: Educate, Support, Inspire
The goal of Things Unseen Theatre is to use theatre as not only an entertainment vehicle, but also as a means to inform, educate our audiences, stimulate thought, support local artists, and inspire action in addressing issues. Our mission is threefold:
to integrate theatre as a common activity within the community of Central Pennsylvania
to support local playwrights and artists
to present theatrical productions that address social issues of particular importance in the Central Pennsylvania region in order to educate our community and hopefully inspire change.
A Cultural Outlet
in Central PA
Things Unseen Theatre was founded in the summer of 2011 by Jody Hesley and Valerie Stratton, who believed that the area of Altoona, PA and Central Pennsylvania needed additional theatrical/entertainment outlets and support for emerging artists. Val and Jody wanted to make a difference in how the people of Central PA thought about the world. Ever since our first production, Nightfall with Edgar Allan Poe by Eric Coble, we have chosen our productions with great care, hoping that they would teach our audiences about the world around them while still providing quality entertainment at an affordable price.
A Welcoming Theatrical Community
Our vision when starting Things Unseen Theatre was to become a theatre company that focuses on unique productions and providing support for local playwrights. We wanted to entice people to see shows--even if they normally would not come see a theatrical production--while still maintaining high standards in regards to production quality and entertainment value. Some of the productions we perform may address topics such as drug abuse, domestic abuse, child abuse, racial issues, homosexuality, women's health issues, and bullying, among others. Our hope is to integrate theatre and the arts as a common form of entertainment within the community of Central Pennsylvania.
A Place to Explore New Artistic Work
We support local playwrights and theatre artists by presenting readings of early drafts and producing original works when possible. Other artists, such as musicians, dancers, writers, etc., are also encouraged to participate in various ways. If you are a budding playwright or artist and would like Things Unseen to workshop or premiere your piece, contact us today!
Matt Michrina, co-artistic Director
Matt has loved theatre for as long as he can remember and first got involved behind the scenes for ACT’s production of Peter Pan in 2004. Since then, Matt has filled many various jobs backstage, including director, lighting designer, sound designer, and special effects designer, along with being an award-winning stage manager. The proud owner of an underutilized Political Science degree from Dickinson College, in his time outside of theatre Matt works in the Marketing Department at Sheetz, Inc. and enjoys spending time with his cats Prince Berenger and Chip Potts.
Emily Evey, Co-artistic director
Emily’s first foray in theatre was C.W. Longer’s 2002 production of “The Emperor’s New Clothes." Spoonfed golden age musicals by her Mema, Emily's third grade equivalent of character work when playing pretend and her love of helping others (cited as early as a kindergarten report card) culminated in earning a self-designed degree in Theatre, Communication, and Social Justice from Juniata College in 2014. Since 2016, Emily has been involved with local community theatre and wearing many different hats in various theatre organizations throughout Central PA and at the national and international level. When outside of the theatre, you might find Emily trying to change the world one day at a time or taking time to enjoy her hobbies of dungeons and dragons, watching TV, fiber arts, or, occasionally, cat huffing.
Valerie Stratton, co-artistic Director & Co-founder Emerita
Valerie is a retired psychology professor from Penn State Altoona. She began her involvement with theatre in high school in New Jersey, performing in every production during her four years there. In college she focused on her major in psychology, but got re-involved with theatre after settling in Altoona. She now has had over 25 years of experience with Altoona Community Theatre and Cresson Lake Playhouse as an actor, director, stage manager, production manager, and costume and props assistant.
Tom Liszka, Co-artistic director Emeritus
For Things Unseen, ACT, Cresson Lake Playhouse, Penn State Altoona, Paramount Pictures, and a lot of other organizations, Tom has been involved in over two hundred shows. Some favorites: Directing A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Dead Man’s Cell Phone, God of Carnage, The Glass Menagerie, and Leading Ladies; Acting in Nightfall with Edgar Allan Poe, Urinetown, The Tempest, Smokey Joe's Café, The Battle of Shallowford, Angel Street, and The Robber Bridegroom; Set design for To Kill a Mockingbird; and 25 years of running the backstage crew for The Nutcracker. A grandfather of four, he loves Geoffrey Chaucer, the Cubs, pumpkin carving, and his family. Tom has a Ph.D. in English literature, is retired from Penn State Altoona, and has worked with medieval manuscripts, allowing him to publish on the South English Legendary. (You'll get 6 bonus points if you figure out what that is before you see him next.) Oh, and he once upstaged Charlton Heston.
In Memory of Jody Hesley
Co-founder of Things Unseen Theatre Jody Hesley passed away on October 4, 2013. Jody was a passionate, artistic soul who left us much too soon. Things Unseen continued with the help of others who have become part of our family. Jody will never be forgotten; he was loved by many including the owners of our venue, who have dedicated the stage to him.