I currently live in Gilbert, Arizona and I recently started to explore the theater because of the highly popular Broadway play Hamilton. I have yet to see the famous play, but until I do, I figure I might start off small at The Hale Center Theatre, which is considered to be the best in the valley.

Photo Courtesy of Hale Theatre Arizona website

The Beginning

The Hale Center Theatre is a historical part of Gilbert, Arizona located in the historic downtown. The Hale Center Theatre has been a staple in the community as a prolonged historical organization, which is privately owned and operated community theater company in the United States of America. The founders of the theater were Nathan, and Ruth Hale married in 1933 and wrote, starred, and produce plays. Eventually, they relocated to Glendale, California from Salt Lake City in 1943 with having dreams of being actors, and came to a conclusion after many failed attempts of trying to break into the movie business the only way to succeed in Hollywood was to open their own theater. They pursued their dream by renting a small building in Glendale, California, and named it The Glendale Centre Theatre.

The newly Glendale Center Theatre only had six occupants, but soon the theater grew to become highly sought-after. The theater has continued to prosper and has been passed down from generations to generations. There are currently four Hale Theatres in the United States. The original Glendale Centre Theatre in Glendale, California which is owned and operated by their son Tim Dietlein and wife Brenda, Hale Center Theatre Orem in Orem, Utah which is owned and operated by their son Cody Hale and grandson Cody Swenson, Hale Family Theatre in Grover, Utah which is owned and operated by the Hale family daughter, and The Hale Centre Theatre in Gilbert, Arizona which is owned and operated by their grandson Dave Dietlein and wife Corrine.

“It’s an exciting life, full of stress and strain, yet there’s never a dull moment when you’re in this business!”
– Ruth Hale

The Story of the founders

https://vimeo.com/20317814

NATHAN AND RUTH HALE - THEATRE LEGACY TIMELINE

1933	Nathan and Ruth Hale married
1934-1935	Nathan and Ruth Hale travel Utah putting on plays
1945	Hales move to California to tryout for Hollywood
1947	Nathan and Ruth open the 100-seat Glendale Centre Theatre, Colorado Street, Glendale, California
1959	Glendale Theatre moved to 230-seat facility on Doran Street; Sandra (daughter) and husband, Allan Dietlein become partners
1960	Glendale Theatre moved to 450-seat facility on Orange Street
1983	Nathan and Ruth sell Glendale Centre Theatre to partners Allan and Sandra Dietlein
1984	Nathan and Ruth retire to Utah
1985	Nathan and Ruth, with daughter, Sally Hale Rice, and grandson and his wife, Mark and Sally Dietlein, open the Hale Centre Theatre in South Salt Lake.
1989	Nathan and Ruth's daughters, Sally Hale Rice, Tanya Radebaugh and Sherry Brian, open Grover Summer Playhouse in Grover, Utah and operate the 200-seat theatre seasonally
1990	Nathan and Ruth'sprogeny, Cody and Linda Hale and Cody and Ann Swenson, found 305-seat Hale Centre Theatre Orem in Orem, Utah
1993	Glendale Centre Theatre sold to Tim and David Dietlein; now operated by Tim and Brenda Dietlein
1994	Nathan Hale passes away after 60 years of dedication to theatre
1998	Hale Centre Theatre moves to new 530-seat facility in West Valley City, Utah and becomes a non-profit organization
2002	David and Corrin Dietlein open 380-seat Hale Centre Theatre Arizona in Gilbert, Arizona
2003	Ruth Hale passes away after nearly seven decades of contributing to the theatre
2007	Hale Centre Theatre Orem breaks ground for new 522-seat theatre and becomes a non-profit organization

* Timeline courtesy of Hale Theatre Company In Utah

The Gilbert, Arizona location

The current owners of The Hale Center Theatre established ownership in 2003 by Dave Dietlein who discovered the acting bug at the age of two. Dave had the advantage of growing up living directly behind his family owned and operated theater. Dave caught on to entrepreneurship which led to the start of selling radishes at the age of four years old. He moved on to selling glass soda bottles by getting a refund from the store. During his teenage years, he discovered music and became a DJ, calling himself “The Disco King” which turn out to be very lucrative and paid for college and his first car.

Dave graduated college and proceeded to work in the family business of the theatre. David worked with his dad, Allan Dietlien in hopes of owning a theatre. Allan Dietlein was known as a very strict overseer and wanted to show Dave that even though theatre can be rewarding, it can be hard work! Dave and his brother purchased the business once their parents retired. During ownership Dave still wanted to own a theater, and he sold his part of the theater called Glendale Center Theatre in Glendale, California. Reluctantly, Dave decided to move to Gilbert, Arizona. After being convinced by Greg Tilgue, who is from the Gilbert city fathers. Once, David moved to Gilbert, Arizona., he proceeds to get a loan from the bank along with savings he began construction on the Hale Centre Theatre.

A tour of The Hale Center Theatre

https://vimeo.com/61201609

My Experience

I experienced The Hale Center Theatre without being in attendance at the community play only because the play I waited too late to purchase a ticket. Instead, I took the liberty of walking around the theatre building. I had the pleasure of taking a photo while the play Thoroughly Modern Millie was letting out and a few photos of the outside building. The only disadvantage I noticed was the parking due to the fact its located in the historic downtown Gilbert, parking can still become a challenge even though there are the huge parking lot and parking garage adjacent to the theatre. My take on the aesthetics of the building is that it has a modern feel with an old world charm appeal in honor of the founders Mr. and Mrs. Hale. The attendees of the play were outside and seemed extremely friendly, and it gives me the feeling that when I do attend the show, I will have a delightful experience.

The attendeesThe cast members