Hilltop Theatre opens its doors in Litchfield Park

They did a heck of a job.”

Goodyear Mayor Joe Pizzillo

SOUTHWEST VALLEY

New chapter rises on Litchfield Park’s historic hill

Hundreds of residents and local leaders streamed through the new Hilltop Theatre and Concert Hall in Litchfield Park Oct. 1, getting their first close-up look at a venue designed to bring professional entertainment and arts education together in the West Valley.

The grand-opening celebration included live music, a roaming magician, appetizers and a bar. During a self-guided tour, guests explored the auditorium, backstage areas and dressing rooms before heading upstairs to an art gallery and a soon-to-open Modern Grind coffee shop.

“It’s beautiful,” said Mary Beth Kelly, who moved into nearby La Loma Village with her husband, Tom, eight months ago.

The theater, 5356 N. Litchfield Road, is part of the new Hilltop School for the Arts operated by the Agua Fria Union High School District. The venue will host student productions, concerts, film screenings, community events and private functions.

The campus sits at the base of the city’s historic 21-acre La Loma Homestead, once the retreat of Litchfield Park founder Paul W. Litchfield. It is part of a broader effort to transform the property into a center for arts, education, culture and local history. 

“Agua Fria District came to us in the summer of 2024 with this idea of this campus,” Litchfield Park Planning Director Randy Proch said. “To go from mapping sketches to reality is unbelievable.”

Litchfield Park Councilmember Suzanne Allen said watching the project rise from the ground made the opening especially meaningful.

“To know that the kids in our community are going to benefit from this amazing high school next door and concert hall, it’s just a really special opportunity and moment for our city,” Allen said.

Upstairs, Modern Grind founder and owner Daphnie Kelly introduced guests to a coffee shop surrounded by student artwork. Kelly said she hopes to open Oct. 7.

“It was just the right fit,” Kelly said. “It was just so cool to get this opportunity to be in something so unique.”

Modern Grind plans to operate 8 a.m.-2 p.m. daily and during theater events. Kelly said the location will make nearly all its food, syrups and sauces from scratch and roast coffee on-site.

Goodyear Mayor Joe Pizzillo also praised the finished venue.

“They did a heck of a job,” Pizzillo said.

The theater’s first major ticketed concert is scheduled for Oct. 10, when the Righteous Brothers bring their farewell tour to Litchfield Park.

“I’m looking forward to the 10th with the Righteous Brothers,” Pizzillo said.

Noah Flug
Reporter | Litchfield Park and Goodyear

nflug@iniusa.org

Community: Litchfield Park and Goodyear

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication with a minor in Digital Audiences from Arizona State University

Random Fact: I only have one biological cousin.

Hobbies: Watching movies and TV, spending time with my friends, aspiring stoic.