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Our Story

The Friends of the Theater supports the H.J. Ricks Centre for the Arts as a thriving destination for Hancock County residents and visitors.

In 2017, the H.J. Ricks Centre for the Arts, a privately owned historic theater at 122 W. Main St. in Greenfield, lost its long-held county funding - a critical source of taxpayer support for the downtown performing arts venue. Fearing the doors might close, the local arts community came together to find a solution. And so, the Friends of the Theater was born.

 

Today, the theater's operation depends on grants and donations from people like you. The Friends of the Theater works with the Hancock County Visitors Bureau, the nonprofit that owns the Ricks, to put those dollars to good use. Your contribution assures the Ricks remains a place for all ages to enjoy. We thank you for your support!

Our Team
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Sandy Miller

President

Sandy Miller, a Greenfield resident for more than 40 years, attended movies at the Ricks theater and later performed in community theater there.  She is retired from Anthem, Inc. where she served as deputy general counsel and then as president of Anthem’s Federal Government Business Division.   She is active in several community organizations and wants to help ensure that the theater remains vibrant.

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Kyle Turpin

Vice President

Kyle Turpin is an avid concertgoer and travel junkie with a passion for all things performing arts. He is a lifelong Hancock County resident, and the Marketing Manager at the Hancock County Public Library. Kyle's history of theatrical productions and involvement in the local music scene motivated his desire to help preserve the Ricks as the centerpiece of a vibrant performing arts community.

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Frances Hull

Secretary

Frances Hull is a passionate advocate for Greenfield's theater community. As co-owner of Hometown Comics & Games, she promotes local productions and performs regularly at the Ricks Centre for the Arts in musicals and plays. Frances volunteers as a board member and choreographer for KidsPlay, mentors young performers, teaches painting and board games around town, and also serves on the board of the H.J. Ricks Centre for the Arts, continually enriching Greenfield’s cultural landscape.

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Wayne Addison

Treasurer

Wayne Addison has been a licensed Indiana Auctioneer since 1979 conducting hundreds of benefit auctions and acting as MC at many charitable events.  Formerly the Chief Probation Officer of Hancock County, Wayne now works as the Pre-Trial Release Probation Officer for Hancock County.

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Jerry Bell

Board Member

Jerry Bell of Greenfield was welcomed back to the board in 2022 after having served as one of the Friends' founding members. His background in performing arts includes 28 years as a high school band director and music supervisor, as well as four years as a music teacher. He has has extensive experience in the nonprofit world, having served as president of Nameless Creek Youth Camp since 2006. Jerry has also been on the board of the Greenfield Sertoma Club since 1977.

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Kristin Fewell

Board Member

Kristin Fewell is a lifelong Greenfield resident; she is a graduate of GCSC and Purdue University. Kristin has been an educator for 44 years, teaching First Grade at Harris Elementary. She is a Grammy to 3 darling grandchildren and enjoys attending all that Greenfield and its downtown offer. Her family has attended many programs and movies since the theater was the Weill Movie theatre years ago. Kristin is so proud of all the people who have taken an interest in the theatre and continue to keep it going. She is also a 51-year Tri Kappa member and is very much involved in all the Philanthropic programs that we support.

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Tuesday Mayhew

Board Member

Tuesday Mayhew joined the Friends of the Theater Board in 2024 to be involved in the preservation of the historic Rick’s Theater and local arts. Tuesday has had an extensive career in the arts and entertainment industry. She spent most of her career performing in theaters across the US and internationally as an accomplished ballerina. She is currently a ballet teacher and coaches youth dancers for competitions with Wilkerson Dance Studio. Tuesday brings with her a passion for community alongside her experience with nonprofits and arts education.

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Andy Sparks

Board Member

Andy is a life long resident of Hancock County and saw many movies growing up at what is now the Ricks Theater.  Andy graduated from Eastern Hancock High School and is now the Theater Instructor at the school.  She is also the co-director of Eastern Hancock Drama Club, as well as on staff of the Eastern Hancock Winter Guard.  She has a deep love for performing and theater that started when she was very young as a dancer and continued with drama and dance team throughout high school.  She enjoys watching all types of theater and other performing arts.  She has 3 children and 8 grandchildren.  Andy is so thankful for the opportunity to be a part of keeping theater alive in Greenfield.  

Contact Us

Email: info@hctheaterfriends.org
PO Box 41 Greenfield, IN 46140

© 2025 by Friends of the Theater - Hancock County, Inc.

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