There is something deeply grounding about sitting back down in the director’s chair.
I love producing. I love building a company. I love dreaming big-picture dreams for Hub City Theatre Company. But there is nothing quite like being in a rehearsal room again, listening to the actors, watching instincts fire, asking questions, shaping moments, and slowly discovering what a show wants to be - letting it reveal itself piece by piece while you guide it gently toward its fullest potential.
Taking breaks and having evenings back to myself is always such a blessing, but working on A Thing of Beauty has reminded me just how much I missed this.
This cast is already blowing me away. From the very first read, their instincts have been sharp, honest, and generous, and I’m excited to dig into the nitty gritty with them, to explore subtext, refine moments, take risks, and build something truly beautiful together; the kind of beautiful that only comes from trust, curiosity, and shared work.
One of the things I’m especially loving about this process is the variety within this cast and what that variety represents - showing how different experiences, perspectives, and energies come together to create something far greater than the sum of its parts.
Actors Gavin Richardson, Isabella Gray, and Kelly Maust will feel familiar to HCTC audiences, but this production marks a turning point for the two ladies. These are the biggest and weightiest roles Isabella and Kelly have taken on with us, and watching them step fully into that challenge has already been a joy.
Natalie Chhim, who has been behind the scenes as an Assistant Director with HCTC, will be stepping onstage with us for the first time, and I could not be more thrilled for our audience to see what she brings as a performer, bringing her intuition, heart, and creativity into the spotlight in a way that feels fresh and alive.
David McCall is no stranger to theatre in Jackson and brings extensive experience with him, but this is his first time on our stage. His presence with us inspires new energy, new perspective, and a reminder that community theatre is strongest when artists cross paths, inspire each other, and challenge each other to grow.
And then there’s Betsy Gray, who hasn’t been onstage since her kindergarten play and is now gracing our stage for the very first time. That kind of courage, that kind of "yes," that leap into the unknown is sacred to me and reminds me why theatre is so transformative.
At Hub City Theatre Company, we talk a lot about building community and developing artists, and this is one of the most tangible ways we do that. Casting is not about hierarchy. It's not about gatekeeping. Despite how often the phrase gets thrown around, there is no such thing as “the best actor for the role,” because the idea itself is a myth.
Casting is not about finding the single most impressive person in a vacuum; it is about solving a puzzle where every actor brings different strengths, instincts, experiences, and energies into the room. And the work is not ranking people! It's discovering which combination of artists creates the most honest, effective, and generous version of this story right now with this group of humans.
When we cast this way, something shifts. Actors are not being measured against each other, they are being considered as part of a whole, which makes growth possible, trust deepen, and risk feel safer, and ultimately, the work itself gets better.
We also take into account the people who have shown up consistently in the past, whether by auditioning before, volunteering backstage, or putting in the hard work behind the scenes, because trust, effort, and a demonstrated commitment to the process are part of the puzzle, too, and often make a meaningful difference in the energy and cohesion of the ensemble.
This cast is living proof of why we approach casting intentionally, with familiar faces alongside first-timers, seasoned experience alongside brave new beginnings, artists being stretched, welcomed, and challenged, not because they are “the best,” but because they are right for this puzzle, for this story, for this moment.
And for anyone who auditioned and was not cast, please know that this is never a reflection of your talent or ability, because casting is always about the unique puzzle each show presents. There will surely be future productions where your energy, instincts, and artistry will be exactly what a story needs, so I hope you continue to bring your gifts to our stage and stay part of this community we are building together.
I am grateful. I am energized. I am so proud of the community we are continuing to build, one rehearsal room at a time, and I cannot wait for you to see what we are creating.
