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Jim & Pat Hansen Founders The Carlsbad Playreaders began in 1995, when husband and wife Jim and Pat Hansen began a series of play readings with the encouragement of the City of Carlsbad Arts Office. The Hansens incorporated the non-profit Carlsbad Playhouse to continue the project, and, with the aid of Community Arts Grants, in the first 10 seasons, produced more than 80 readings for more than 8,000 audience members. Over the years Playreaders shows have featured hundreds of actors, directors, playwrights and technical crew. Jim and Pat set out to produce shows that would entertain, provoke and challenge their audiences, producing many new plays by local playwrights, with a goal to "present plays that seek to explore the human condition and, thereby, enrich the lives of audiences in Carlsbad and neighboring communities." Jim and Pat both have long-time interests in the theatre: studying at San Diego State University (where they met and married in 1951), and performing in U.S. Special Services productions in Japan (Rashomon, 1965) and Germany. After retiring from the Carlsbad Library in 1990 where she coordinated programs and exhibits, Pat performed in many theatrical productions in Vista, San Diego and La Mesa (where she was featured in Driving Miss Daisy). After teaching for many years at El Camino High School, Jim also retired in 1990. He currently operates an online book business (Biblio.com). Since retirement, Jim and Pat have seen hundreds of area theatre productions, still find time to volunteer at Playreaders performances, and be enthusiastic audience members at all the plays they attend. Pat also serves on the board of New Village Arts Theatre in Carlsbad, and both Jim and Pat are current members of the Playreaders Board of Directors. |
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James Hall Board Of Directors James Hall recently retired from Carlsbad Unified School district as manager of the Carlsbad Community Arts Center for 21 years. During his tenure, he designed and facilitated many technical improvements to the Arts Center, as well as sharing his creative talents through Carlsbad Community Theatre. Directing credits include Christmas Carol, Fiddler on the Roof, and Into the Woods. Set design credits include Into the Woods, Fiddler on the Roof, Amahl and the Night Visitors, and Charlotte's Web. His acting roles include Mr. Mushnik in Little Shop of Horrors, Daddy Warbucks in Annie, Andrew Carnes in Oklahoma, and Marley's Ghost in Christmas Carol. For PATH (Performing Arts Theater of the Handicapped), Jim's roles include Editor Webb in Our Town, and Patrick in Loud Red Patrick. After graduating with a B.S. in Theater and studying mime with Tony Montanaro, Jim and Bonnie toured New England, Louisiana and Colorado with their original shows. Jim worked for three years as the technical director for Sangre de Cristo Arts Center in Pueblo, Colorado. |
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