It actually all started in 2015 when a knock on Silvia Gonzalez Scherer's door to get a masters in play writing (pen name Silvia Gonzalez S.) with a university enthralled with her plays about migrant experience, women’s issues, seeking cultural roots, and other human experiences, she contemplated her artistic future. Taking this university opportunity would have been a great boost to her career, but she felt she would be more driven to start a theater company in an area with much diversity and needed opportunities for diverse people to share in theatrical experiences with relevant material. In January of 2016, Silvia began research and organization with assistance from the Fresno Arts Council. In 2017, Silvia and her daughter Camia Scherer (co-founder) organized the first free acting classes at the upper level of the Old Historical Courthouse. Classes were held at this location weekly for both children and adults. Interest grew quickly and mother and daughter polished the mission of Hanford Multicultural Theater Company to enormous interest. With the guidance of Lilia Chavez from FAC, HMTC started to grow leaps and bounds. People of all walks of life became involved. Acting classes, scene study, the origins of an improvisation group began to flourish with the interest. At the beginning HMTC was mostly itinerant. First place was the upper level of the Hanford Old Historical Courthouse. Then moves to the Hanford Civic Auditorium West Wing, Teen Center, with theatrical productions at the Kings Art Center courtyard, Bastille Courtyard, and Hanford Carnegie Museum courtyard. An actual location more prone to acting classes was in the Hanford Carnegie Museum’s big room. In the summer of 2019 HMTC was relocated in an empty storefront at the Hanford Mall. This was especially advantageous to share with the public what HMTC is all about. Then located at the Kings County Historical Society in the old church that was built in 1876 from 2019-2022. NOW we have our own home at 119 1/2 N Douty Street in downtown Hanford!!!! 

At HMTC, people of all ages and all skills have a home with us. All that is needed is interest to experiment with creativity. We have had fun with more forms of performance. Along with acting and play performances, Silvia introduced Udderly Improv. With her years of Improv experience and studying in Chicago with the guru and master of improv Del Close at Improv-Olympics with a training series at Second City, and locally with  Groundlings and Upright Citizens Brigade, and earlier performing in LaffTrax in Phoenix, Arizona, it was a natural exploration to try an improv group in Hanford. Performances began in December 2018 at Hanford Carnegie Museum until May 2019.

Recognizing the need for cultural sharing HMTC undertook the massive function of doing a Hanford Dia de Los Muertos 2017 community activity. This was a tremendous success and now is an annual event.

New ground continues as HMTC incorporates puppetry in the company and lighting and sound classes. As well, with the pandemic filming (HMTC Films) and a podcast (HMTC Behind the Scenes Podcast) materialized. Currently, members have written poetry and HMTC will supplement this creative output with public poetry events. 

We will continue to thrive with all the enthusiasm and support from our community members. Thank you to all who have supported HMTC.

First printed May 2018

Updated February 2022

May 2023