General Information     Huntington Outdoor Theatre is a regional theater group based in Huntington, WV. The Theatre does outdoor productions at Huntington's Ritter Park Amphitheater. These shows run for a four week period during the month of July. Auditions for shows take place in April of each year. Local actors volunteer their time for the shows with rehearsals beginning in May. Beginnings     HOT was founded by Helen Freeman (President and Artistic Director) with the assistance of Patti Shaver (Vice-President and Managing Director). Helen, who is also a Theater teacher at Huntington High School in Huntington, WV, and Patti, who with her husband run a successful business in Huntington, decided that local people needed a place to perform in the summer. They also felt that the area needed an additional tourist activity. With grants from local businesses - the Cabell County Commission, City of Huntington, and especially the Greater Huntington Parks and Recreation District, HOT became a reality.     From a rather humble beginning, HOT in 14 years has grown to a major event in the Huntington Area, with over 10,000 people seeing shows in the 2005 season, where the hit musicals, Disney's Beauty and the Beast, was presented.     For the 2000 season, HOT commissioned Elaine Novak and Deborah Novak to write an original Musical about the Tri-State region. Through their efforts HOT presented to the public, Huntington: The Jewel of West Virginia. Currently     For its 16th season, HOT will present the musical: The Wedding Singer