Part 6: Behind the Curtain: “The Wheels Are Turning…”
Welcome to the sixth installment in an ongoing series exploring the journey of bringing the musical Ragtime to the stage as the PAC’s 2025–2026 season opener.
My co-director, Joey Stone, and I continue to collaborate remotely as he stays busy performing in Chicago, and I keep the wheels turning here at the PAC. We’re thrilled to share that the cast list is nearly complete, with only a few roles remaining to be filled. We’re equally excited to officially welcome our production managers, Carmen Caldera-Brzoska and Alia McClendon. These two incredible women will be helping Joey and me track everything, and everyone, including my sanity, over the next several months.
Rehearsals begin the first week of August, so I’ll have much more to report in the next update. However, in the meantime, I wanted to offer a glimpse into the production process as it currently unfolds.
Joey and I Zoom several times a week—first with each production department individually, then together as a team to ensure everyone is aligned and moving forward. Though I often feel like I’m the one falling behind, I keep doing my part: carefully going through the script and literally picturing how each scene will unfold on stage.
To support this process, I take photos of our physical set model from two angles, an overhead floor plan, and a front-facing elevation for every scene and every transition. These images serve as our visual blueprints. Joey and I review them together, discuss the staging, and make decisions about how to proceed. Then I go back through each scene to refine the traffic patterns, ensuring that every character, piece of scenery, and moment of action flows smoothly without collisions or confusion. At this stage, it can look a bit like a meteorologist’s weather map, full of lines, arrows, and scribbled notes!
Once we’ve finalized our plans, Alia steps in and translates everything into StageWrite, a specialized software that allows us to create detailed, shareable diagrams the whole team can reference. These layouts will be used to take blocking and choreography notes throughout rehearsals, ensuring that every department is working in sync.
Stay tuned—more exciting updates to come as we roll into August. Ragtime is coming to life, and the wheels are very much in motion!
Tickets go on sale soon at ThePAC.net! So, sign up for our email alerts, and as always, thank you for joining us on this journey.
Video Links
The links below provide a video version of this month’s blog and a link to HCECTV’s The Monthly Marquee, an interview program hosted by Bart focused on performing arts activities in our region.
Audience Survey Winners
Congratulations to Vicki Buckles, Paula McBride, Navinchandra Shah, and Linda Woltz, each the lucky winner of a $20 PAC gift certificate for completing an audience survey in July, and thank you for helping us learn how to serve our audiences better!
Audience Survey
Share your thoughts on your recent PAC visit and get entered into the next drawing.
PAC Spotlight
The AUGUST PAC Spotlight shines on Central Hardin High School graduate Jimmy Houlihan, who was a student spotlight back in 2004, and is returning to the PAC stage this September as Harry Houdini in RAGTIME.
What do you do for a living?
I have worked in customer service for many years. Currently, I am an Operations Manager at a local retail store.
What has been your most rewarding PAC experience?
In the summer of 2007, I had the pleasure of performing on the PAC stage with the Youth Theatre of Hardin County in the show Crazy For You as Bobby Child. My participation in the production almost didn’t happen as I was involved in a very serious car accident days before rehearsals began. I suffered major trauma to my neck and jaw; as a result, my jaw was wired shut for several weeks. Despite this potential roadblock, I was determined to continue with the show. The production team, my fellow cast members, and the PAC staff provided invaluable support during this time. Performing on the PAC stage one final time before attending college held significant personal importance. Having dedicated numerous hours to the PAC stage over the preceding years, I attribute a substantial role in my personal and professional development to this theatre, where my passion for theatre was cultivated.
Why is the PAC important?
The Hardin County Schools Performing Arts Center holds significant value for the community, serving as a vital venue for promoting the significance of music and the performing arts. This facility played a crucial role in my personal development during my formative years. For more than two decades, the theatre has provided a platform for Hardin County students to engage with and participate in the arts. We are fortunate to have such a resource in our area, and I am thankful for the opportunity to perform on this stage once more!
Is there anything else you would like to share?
I was nervous to audition for the fall production of Ragtime as I had not been on stage for many years, but Bart and the rest of the production team welcomed me back with open arms. Going into the PAC for the first time in many years brought back so many fond memories, and I am excited to perform on this stage again.
