Gilles Chiasson, the newly appointed director of the Haugh Performing Arts Center, envisions transforming the venue into a vibrant community gathering hub as it gears up for the 2026–27 season.
His goal is to establish the center as a central gathering place for the local community.
As a newcomer to both the Haugh and the surrounding community, Chiasson is focusing his vision for the upcoming season on establishing meaningful connections with audiences welcoming both regulars and first time theatergoers alike.
“I have so many friends I have yet to meet here,” Chiasson said. “The way in which we reach out to our community is through just the shows we put on sale. The things that we offer in the theater is basically our extension of a handshake to different people that we haven’t met yet, and we hope that they want to meet us and spend time with us.”
The Haugh Performing Arts Center is a 1,440-seat proscenium theater located on the campus of Citrus College in Glendora.
Completed in 1971, the modern venue hosts over 140 performances annually and welcomes more than 100,000 patrons each year. It serves as a prominent cultural hub for the region by featuring a wide variety of events that include national touring acts, community favorites, comedy shows and standout student productions.
Designed for an intimate audience experience, the facility features professional-grade acoustics and a comfortable layout where no seat is more than 90 feet from the stage.
The Haugh’s 2026-27 roster features a diverse array of theatrical shows, musical concerts, tribute acts and specialty entertainment. Highlighting the upcoming season are productions such as “Sweeney Todd,” “Little Shop of Horrors,” “Christmas Is…,” “So Good! The Neil Diamond Experience,” “MJ The Illusion,” “Hotel California,” “ABBA-Mania” and “Crazy Talented Asians,” alongside a variety of other performances.
The variety is intentional, Chiasson said.
Furthermore, the venue is broadening its scope this season by featuring student produced shows from Citrus College. Audiences can now incorporate these student performances into a three show package to receive a 20% discount.
Upon arriving, Chiasson noted that he was deeply impressed by the caliber of work created by the college’s students.
“The quality of entertainment that’s produced by the college is really astounding,” he said. “When I got here, I was flabbergasted by how talented the students were and by the quality of the work they put on the stage.”
Featuring a full orchestra composed of both professional musicians and students, “Sweeney Todd” stands out as one of the season’s major productions. Chiasson emphasizes that staging this iconic Stephen Sondheim musical presents a unique opportunity for audiences to experience a truly significant performance.
“Not every company takes the risk to present a challenging show like ‘Sweeney Todd,’” he said.
The season also includes a number of tribute performances, including tributes to Michael Jackson, Neil Diamond, the Eagles and Taylor Swift. Chiasson sees those performances as more than imitations of famous artists.
He said the music itself has become part of people’s lives and memories.
“It’s easy to focus on Neil Diamond, but beyond Neil Diamond there’s the music that he wrote and there’s also the experiences that the people had that they’ve connected emotionally to those songs,” Chiasson said.
To give patrons a chance to socialize before going into the theater, the Haugh is also launching pre-show community celebrations for select performances. These gatherings will offer interactive activities, including live music, food and dance classes.
The Haugh is hosting interactive pre show activities outside the theater. Before magician REZA’s “Edge of Illusion,” close up magicians will perform at tables, and prior to “Anything for Selena,” the Selena tribute, guests can enjoy dance lessons.
According to Chiasson, the objective is to transform attending a show into a complete night out, moving beyond a standard theater performance.
“We want people who choose to come and see a show at the hall to feel like they’re going to a party…we want it to feel like a great date night,” Chiasson said.
This commitment to inclusivity is further reflected in the newly established Haugh for All Fund. Through this initiative, community members can donate tickets, enabling individuals facing financial barriers to request up to four complimentary admissions.
Chiasson said theater should not be limited to those who can afford it.
“The theater shouldn’t be some elitist thing that’s only available to the few…it should be available to everyone,” he said.
Ultimately, Chiasson hopes the season helps the Haugh become a gathering place where people can put down their phones and share an experience and meet the people who live around them.
For him that is one of the most important things live entertainment can offer.
“I want the community to really have faith that the Haugh is a place where they can come and have a great time,” Chiasson said.
Entering his first year at the Haugh, rather than judging success solely by box office metrics, Chiasson measures it through growth and evolution. For him, the true benchmark lies in cultivating a larger following, fostering a deeper appreciation for diverse artistry, and welcoming new faces into the theater seats.
And his vision for the Haugh can perhaps be summed up by the image he uses to describe the season: a house with a hundred doors.
“I want to make sure that every door leading into our theater is open, and everyone finds a door that makes sense to them so they can come in and join us,” Chiasson said.
The Haugh Performing Arts Center is located at 1000 W. Foothill Boulevard, Glendora. Learn more by calling 626-963-9411 or visiting haughpac.com.
