Hope provides perspective and gives everything meaning. It's that meaning and perspective that distinguishes Hope Theater Company from other performing groups in the county.

"Hope Theater Company's mission is to utilize acting to glorify God and entertain others," said Elizabeth Raine, who's been directing Hope Theater Company productions since 2017. "My desire for Hope Theater Company is for it to be a safe space for people of all ages to come and pursue their love of theater while building lasting friendships in a Christ-honoring atmosphere."

Based in Ephrata, Hope Theater Company is one of dozens of performing arts groups in Lancaster County. Many of the theater company's performances are staged at Grace Fellowship Church of Ephrata, 822 Pointview Ave.

"The performing arts allow people both on and off the stage to step into a story and escape reality," said Raine, "while also providing lessons and inspirations to carry with us back into our daily lives. How many times have people's lives been impacted by stories? Theater allows a special chance for people to connect with fictional characters who perhaps are not all that different from themselves. It presents living, breathing people, creating a vastly different experience than movies or books. All are excellent ways of storytelling, but theater is unique because it is live and happening right before your eyes."

Depending upon the production and availability, Hope Theater Company presentations typically involve more than 40 individuals, most of whom are local and about 30 of whom are actors. They are students, teachers, seniors, paramedics and homeschoolers.

That wide array of individuals collaborate at practices and rehearsals to prepare for two or three productions each year.

"The best part is probably the fun times and great friendships we gain from being a part of this group," said Raine, who, along with stage manager and husband, Issac, resides in Ephrata. "Hope Theater Company extends beyond simply the shows - we also have movie and game nights and get-togethers."

"We are still trying to grow our public presence by posting on Facebook, advertising in local stores and also walking in some local parades," said Raine. "What the public should know is that we are a Christian group dedicated to producing quality shows for God's glory."

In March, Hope Theater Company officially came into being and was incorporated into a nonprofit from the former Lancaster Youth Productions. Raine's sister Carolyn Hambrosky founded Lancaster Youth Productions in 2012, before passing along the directorship to Raine five years later.

"At the beginning, the group met weekly in the summer to rehearse and held one performance a year," said Raine. "It was well received by audiences and anticipated highly each summer by the participants. Over the years, the group continued to grow and began performing at local retirement homes and churches. I hope that people will be inspired to come and see our shows and support us as we continue to grow as an organization."

In late September, Hope Theater Company began rehearsals for its upcoming performance of "A Christmas Quartet" - a collection of four short plays all rolled into one holiday show - which will be presented at 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 11, and at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 12, at Grace Fellowship Church of Ephrata.

Just this past summer, Hope Theater Company staged the World War II story "Overcome" over three evenings and reached a total of 300 audience members.

For additional information, search for "Hope Theater Company" on Facebook.