In this special episode of No Small Parts, host Scott Leon Smith chats with Bucyrus Little Theatre (BLT) board members Patty Schwall (Vice President) and Cheri Laughbaum (Secretary). As Ohio weather flips between cold and warm, the trio dives into the excitement surrounding BLT's 75th anniversary celebration and the big reveal of its 2026-27 season.

The conversation highlights the free event on Sunday, April 12, from 2–5 p.m., featuring a Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting, light refreshments, a cash bar (with beer and malted beverages), a video tribute to the theater's rich history (courtesy of historian and set wizard Tom Etsinger), a lively director panel with Q&A (MC'd by Scott himself), and a special sneak-peek performance from the upcoming production of Mamma Mia!

Listeners get warm, behind-the-scenes stories about longtime volunteers like Tom Etsinger's legendary (and secretly fun-filled) set designs, including the infamous Sweeney Todd death drop and hidden Mad Magazine references, plus heartfelt tributes to theater legends such as Helen Neff, Bob and Judy Slater, the Cindys (Ross and Light), and many more who have poured decades of passion into the community stage.

The episode captures the spirit of community theater: dedication without pay, creative problem-solving, uplifting scripts, dark comedies, and the joy of keeping live stories alive in Bucyrus, Ohio, for three-quarters of a century. Perfect for anyone who loves local theater, nostalgic memories, or wants the inside scoop on what's coming next at BLT.

Tune in to feel the energy, and don't miss your chance to be part of history!

What happens when you mix quick thinking, big personalities, and a little competitive chaos? You get March Mayhem.

In this episode of No Small Parts, host Scott Smith sits down with Teen Improv Troupe coaches Lalaina and Kevin to talk about the upcoming improv tournament at Bucyrus Little Theatre. With 14 young improvisers ready to take the stage, this year's show introduces a bracket-style competition inspired by basketball's March Madness, complete with teams, judges, and eliminations as the night unfolds.

Lalaina and Kevin pull back the curtain on how the troupe trains, from fast-paced warm-ups like "Three-Line Scenes" to fan-favorite improv games including Party Quirks, Superheroes, Boris, and Oscar Winning Moment. They also explain the golden rule of improv, "Yes, and…," and why saying "no" can derail a scene.

Along the way, the coaches share how improv helps teens build confidence, creativity, and teamwork while learning to step outside their comfort zones. From imaginative pantomime to audience participation and unpredictable storytelling, every rehearsal is a chance for these young performers to grow, and get a lot of laughs along the way.

If you've ever wondered how improv works, why props aren't needed, or how a group of teenagers can turn complete chaos into comedy, this episode is your backstage pass.

🎭 March Mayhem featuring the Bucyrus Little Theatre Teen Improv Troupe takes place on March 27. Come see which team improvises its way to the championship!

Subscribe to No Small Parts for more conversations celebrating the people, passion, and productions that bring community theatre to life.

Join host Scott Leon Smith and the hilarious cast of Bucyrus Little Theatre's Rumors as they dish on Neil Simon's riotous American farce.

From frantic cover-ups of a deputy mayor's "accident" to car crashes, back spasms, burnt fingers, and wild excuses involving exploding shaving cream cans, this episode is packed with on-stage antics and off-stage camaraderie.

Meet the characters, lawyers, accountants, trophy wives, politicians, and a TV chef, who turn a 10th anniversary party into a whirlwind of lies, gossip, and slapstick. Hear about braving Ohio's brutal winter without heat, the magic of live theater chemistry, and why memorizing those lightning-fast lines feels like herding cats.

Whether you're a theater lover or just need a good laugh, this episode celebrates the heart (and hilarity) of community stages.

Don't miss Rumors February 26–March 1. Grab tickets at bucyruslittletheatre.com.

About Bucyrus Little Theatre

Bucyrus Little Theatre is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in Bucyrus, Ohio. The organization exists to educate, entertain, and enlighten audiences in Crawford County and beyond. To learn more about our thriving community theatre, visit www.BucyrusLittleTheatre.com.

Theatre Historian Shares Memories Of The Stage In Time For 75th Anniversary

Join host Scott Leon Smith in the cozy lobby of Bucyrus Little Theatre as he sits down with longtime volunteer Tom Etsinger, house manager, master set builder, and keeper of BLT's rich history.

In this heartfelt episode, Tom takes us on a captivating journey from his trumpet-playing debut in the 1976 pit orchestra for Hello, Dolly! to designing elaborate sets with hammers, nails, and pure ingenuity. Hear behind-the-scenes stories of epic builds (like the historically accurate 1776 set that traveled across town), lightning-fast turnarounds between children's shows and adult musicals, and the quirky discovery that the theater floor slopes toward an old tractor-repair drain.

Then travel back in time to BLT's origins: the grand (but tragically fire-destroyed) opera house of the 1930s, the post-war rebirth sparked by a single Jaycees production, and the scrappy early days of storefront theaters, begged materials, vanilla fundraisers, and coffee breaks that paid the royalties.

As Bucyrus Little Theatre prepares to celebrate its 75th anniversary in 2026 (coinciding with America's 250th) Tom and Scott tease exciting plans ahead and give a sneak peek at the elaborate, door-slamming set rising right now for the season opener, Neil Simon's hilarious farce Rumors.

Whether you're a theater history buff, a community stage veteran, or just love stories of passion and perseverance, this episode reminds us why there truly are No Small Parts — on stage or off.

About BLT

Bucyrus Little Theatre is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in Bucyrus, Ohio. The organization exists to educate, entertain, and enlighten audiences in Crawford County and beyond. To learn more about our thriving community theatre, visit www.BucyrusLittleTheatre.com.

🎄🤠 Y'all, grab your eggnog and buckle up for a Texas-sized Christmas catastrophe! In this hilarious episode of No Small Parts, host Scott Leon Smith sits down with director (and board president) Abbey Kanellakis and cast members Debbi Gifford, Julie Pollock, and first-time actor Shadow Pollock to talk about Bucyrus Little Theatre's upcoming riotous holiday comedy, Christmas Belles, sponsored by Firelands Federal Credit Union, Lulu's Kitchen, and The Ohio Flower Girls!

Expect behind-the-scenes chaos as we dive into the Futrelle sisters' attempt to save (or destroy?) the annual Christmas pageant in Fayro, Texas. You'll hear about flying angels (maybe?), a very pregnant Frankie, a recently jailed Twink, a socialite with Hollywood dreams, a pastor with in love, and the sweetest little red wagon handler you've ever met. Plus, the cast spills the tea on jealous directors, 27 years of "traditional" pageants gone wrong, and why community theatre is basically one big dysfunctional family reunion.

We also get the scoop on BLT's second annual Christmas Basket Silent Auction: bigger, better, and now a true silent auction with incredible donations from local businesses (think gift cards, season passes, themed baskets, and more!). Modern Woodmen of America is matching funds up to $1,500, so your bid goes even further for the theatre. And huge shoutout to Castle Auctions & Appraisals for managing the online Silent Auction.

Listen now to laugh until the reindeer come home and find out exactly how you can bid on those amazing baskets! Shows run ONE WEEKEND ONLY: December 12–14, 2025. Tickets at BucyrusLittleTheatre.com.

Host Scott Leon Smith sits down with Bucyrus Little Theatre Board President Abbey Kanellakis to unpack the theater's upgraded fundraiser, now a full online silent auction powered by Castle Auctions and Appraisals. Running December 8–16 (with live promotion during Christmas Belles performances December 12–14), the event features themed baskets, local business donations, gift certificates, swag, and one-of-a-kind items, all matched dollar-for-dollar up to $1,500 by Modern Woodmen of America.

Learn how to donate (items, baskets, or cash—deadline November 24), get pickup coordinated via Allie Mueller (419-310-9616) or the theater (419-562-0731), and why every bid helps fund critical upgrades: digital signage, sound systems, lighting instruments, and monitors to amplify voices and storytelling in BLT's intimate space.

It's community giving that doubles your impact, fuels holiday shopping, and keeps live theater thriving in Crawford County. QR codes, programs, and MonsterVox social blasts make bidding easy. Join the fun and support the arts!

Plus: Details on the 50/50 Scholarship Raffle and a sneak peek at the Southern-fried hilarity of Christmas Belles, directed by Abbey herself.

No Small Parts is a Bucyrus Little Theatre podcast, hosted by Scott Leon Smith of MonsterVox Productions. To learn more about this podcast or the Bucyrus Little Theatre, visit www.BucyrusLittleTheatre.com.

Get ready for a fang-tastic episode of No Small Parts, the podcast that shines a spotlight on the heart and soul of community theatre! This time, host Scott Leon Smith takes us behind the scenes at Bucyrus Little Theatre in Ohio, where rehearsals for the cult classic Bat Boy: The Musical are in full swing. Buckle up, Broadway fans, because this episode is a hilarious, heartfelt dive into a show that's equal parts Hamilton swagger, Mean Girls sass, and pure, unfiltered weirdness. Well ... kind of ...

Scott sits down with a few members of his cast, Cynthia Carvel (Shelly), Emma White (Meredith), and Chris Collins (Dr. Parker), to dish on what makes Bat Boy a one-of-a-kind theatrical beast. This off-Broadway gem, inspired by a 90s tabloid tale of a half-boy, half-bat found in a West Virginia cave, is a raucous blend of musical theatre genres. Think rock ballads, country hoedowns, rap battles, and Broadway-style belters, all wrapped in a madcap, self-aware package that pokes fun at itself and the entire musical theatre world. It's like if Little Shop of Horrors and Beetlejuice had a lovechild that grew up reading Weekly World News.

Cynthia, a 16-year-old theatre kid with a passion for singing, spills the tea on playing Shelly, the bratty teen who falls for the charismatic, bad-boy vibes of Bat Boy (played by the talented Darius, who's sadly not here, so they talk behind his back). Emma, a phlebotomist by day (perfect for a show obsessed with blood!), shares her journey stepping into the complex role of Meredith, Shelly's sitcom-mom with a mysterious edge. And Chris, channeling his inner mad scientist as Dr. Parker, dishes on tackling high-energy rock numbers and dancing (or flubbing) his way through the show's wild choreography.

From Nosferatu-inspired costumes to projections that dial up the '90s horror schlock, this production is pushing the envelope at Bucyrus Little Theatre. Expect dance breaks that'll make you want to line dance in the aisles, key changes that sneak up like a bat in the night, and a story that's as touching as it is bizarre. With nods to Broadway heavyweights like Kerry Butler (Mean Girls, Beetlejuice) and Jonathan Groff (Hamilton), this episode proves Bat Boy is more than just a cult hit; it's a love letter to the weird and wonderful world of community theatre.

Tune in to hear Scott and his cast share pizza-fueled banter, rehearsal war stories, and why this show is a must-see for anyone who loves musical theatre with a side of chaos. Catch Bat Boy: The Musical at Bucyrus Little Theatre from October 17th-19th and 24th-26th, 2025, with special Saturday matinees to accommodate the cast's homecoming plans.

Grab your tickets at busyruslittletheatre.com and prepare for a bloody good time!

Bucyrus Little Theatre is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We are located at 130 Songer Avenue, Bucyrus, Ohio.

In this delightful episode of No Small Parts, host Scott Leon Smith sits down with Cindy Light, the seasoned director of Willy Wonka Jr. at Bucyrus Little Theatre. Dive into the whimsical world of this youth production as Cindy shares her process for choosing the show, managing a lively cast of 8- to 18-year-olds, and balancing fun with discipline. From the challenges of directing dual casts to incorporating young talent in tech roles, Cindy reveals how she creates a magical experience for both performers and audiences. Learn about the vibrant energy of the kids, the creative use of new projection technology, and what makes this hour-long journey into Roald Dahl's candy-coated world a must-see. Join us for a behind-the-scenes look at the heart and hustle of community theatre!

Key Takeaways Of This Episode:

1. Casting for Kids: Cindy Light emphasizes selecting shows like Willy Wonka Jr. to suit the talents and ages of young performers, ensuring roles for both younger and older kids to maximize participation.

2. Dual Cast Dynamics: Managing two casts for a youth production presents unique challenges, but strategic role assignments and shared rehearsals help streamline the process while giving more kids stage time.

3. Tech-Savvy Youth: The production leverages teenagers' tech skills for sound, video, and lighting, fostering valuable learning opportunities and enhancing the show with innovative projection technology.

Show dates: August 7–10. Tickets available July 20 at www.bucyruslittletheatre.com.