What happens when you bring poets, musicians, storytellers, a break dancer, and comedians together under one roof? You get one unforgettable evening of local talent! Our recent Whatever Open-Mic at the Lil’ Brick Theater in Old Downtown Hanford was a tremendous success—and a wonderful reminder of just how much creative talent exists right here in our community. The evening opened with poetry, giving local poets a chance to share their words, ideas, humor, and experiences with

Have you ever made a joke that had everyone laughing and thought, Maybe I should try stand-up comedy? Or perhaps you’ve always wanted to get on stage but never knew where to begin. Well, Hanford Multicultural Theater Company is giving Kings County residents a chance to find out. Beginning in October, HMTC will offer Udder Chaos Comedy Club, a six-month stand-up comedy class meeting every Thursday evening from 8 to 10 p.m. at the Lil’ Brick Theater in downtown Hanford. The cla

The Hanford Theater Fest is more than a collection of short plays. It is an opportunity to experience theater as it is meant to be experienced: live, immediate and created in partnership with the people sitting in the audience. This year’s festival features five short plays by five playwrights: FRIDGE by Jennifer O’Grady, WHY CAN’T YOU by Ron G. Rosenfeld, WINTER LIGHT by Christine Foster, GOWN by Robert Weibezahl and RESEARCH by S.J. Roth. But the festival will also offer so

A stage reading is more than simply actors reading words from a script. It is an opportunity for a playwright to hear a play come alive, discover what works, and learn what may need to be developed before the work becomes a fully produced play. Hanford Multicultural Theater Company (HMTC) understands the importance of giving playwrights a place to develop their work. In 2022, HMTC presented its first staged reading, a play written by HMTC Executive Artistic Director Silvia Go

Hanford Multicultural Theater Company (HMTC) is proud to partner with Warriors of the Wind for a special community screening that explores veterans, healing, resilience, and the power of human connection. On August 25 at 7:30 p.m., HMTC will present the cinematic docuseries on the big screen at the Lil’ Brick Theater, 119 ½ N. Douty St. in Hanford. Born from one Marine’s determination to prevent the loss of more friends to the veteran suicide epidemic, Warriors of the Wind tr

Hanford Multicultural Theater Company (HMTC) is proud to partner with Warriors of the Wind on a special community screening that brings the experiences of veterans, healing, and resilience to the Hanford community. On August 25 at 7:30 p.m., HMTC will present a cinematic docuseries on its screen at the Lil’ Brick Theater, 119 ½ N. Douty St., Hanford. Born from one Marine’s determination to prevent the loss of more friends to the veteran suicide epidemic, Warriors of the Wind

Film lovers and members of the community are invited to an inspiring evening of documentary filmmaking on Saturday, July 25, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. Documentary Night will feature two compelling films that explore perseverance, creativity, and the human spirit through powerful real-life stories. The evening begins with BRICK BY BRICK, a documentary by Stanley Abad Williams. Through thoughtful storytelling and engaging visuals, the film highlights the determination, challenges, an

After premiering at Fresno’s historic Tower Theatre last November and airing on Valley PBS in December, the documentary film Retired and Inspired by Silvia Gonzalez S. returns in its complete form for a special screening at the Lil’ Brick Theater in Old Downtown Hanford on Saturday, July 25, at 7:30 p.m. Audiences at both the Tower Theatre and Valley PBS saw only an abbreviated eight-minute version. This screening marks the first opportunity to view the full documentary, whic

BREAKING NEWS: National Endowment for the Arts Awards Prestigious Grant to Support WINGS OF PASSAGE We are thrilled to announce extraordinary news: the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), one of the nation's most respected supporters of artistic excellence, has awarded us a grant to support the production of WINGS OF PASSAGEthis November. Receiving support from the NEA is a significant honor and a powerful affirmation of the artistic vision, cultural value, and community i

Among a group of artists, something extraordinary happens. It is difficult to define, yet unmistakable when experienced. It is an energy. It is happiness. It is a way of thinking and seeing the world that naturally draws people closer. When surrounded by creative individuals, there is often an unspoken attraction. No words are necessary. You find yourself intrigued, wanting to listen, observe, and understand the thoughts and perspectives that exist just beneath the surface. I

The Hanford Multicultural Theater Company will participate in Main Street Hanford’s popular Thursday Night Market, sharing theater information, fun theater items, and our community spirit and creativity. Visitors are invited to stop by the company’s booth to learn more about upcoming productions, community arts programs, acting classes, writing opportunities, and future performances. The theater company will also sell a variety of theater-related items to support its ongoing

Jam Lab is bringing musicians together for a night of creativity, collaboration, and live music on May 22 at the Lil' Brick Theater in Old Downtown Hanford. From 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., artists of all skill levels are invited to come jam, perform, and connect with other local musicians in an open and welcoming environment. This event is open to instrumentalists, singers, and music lovers who want the opportunity to create music live on stage with fellow artists. Whether you a

I’ve been incredibly impressed with our Udderly Improv team this year. They’ve been diving deep into the Harold—a long-form improv style that has influenced generations of performers, including many from Saturday Night Live. Watching them take on this format has been exciting, but what’s been even more remarkable is seeing them tap into something we call the group mind. Our show is this Friday, at 7:30 pm at the Lil’ Brick Theater, and you’ll get to experience that group mind

This is something we’ve been dreaming about since day one: introducing The Harold. Join us on May 8, 2026 at 7:30 PM to see it live. The Harold is one of the most iconic and widely practiced long-form improvisation formats in modern theater. Developed by Del Close and Charna Halpern at The Second City and later refined at ImprovOlympic, it has become the foundation for improv groups looking to build rich, interconnected scenes from a single audience suggestion. This format is

Every now and then, you stumble upon music where you least expect it—a lone pianist filling an airport lobby with melody, a guitarist tucked into the corner of a neighborhood pub, or the lively sounds of a mariachi moving through a restaurant. These moments arrive unannounced, yet they have a way of inviting us to pause, even briefly, and step outside the rush of everyday life. There’s something quietly powerful about that pause. Music has the ability to settle the mind, lift

Hanford Multicultural Theater Company is holding auditions for our upcoming Theater Festival . We’re casting up to 10 short plays (if possible), and we welcome all types of performers. Roles vary across the festival—please review the attached flyer for the specific audition details and the types/roles we’re seeking. Questions? Contact us at info@Hanfordmtc.com or (559) 997-3838 . We look forward to seeing you at auditions!

Yesterday, I found myself inspired by a story a musician friend shared. We’re both history buffs, so whenever a conversation turns to a lesser-known figure from the past, I lean in. This time, it was about a man who roamed California’s Central Valley in the late 1800s—a figure I knew almost nothing about. My friend, however, knew him well. He had collected photographs and paintings, read extensively, and carried a deep fascination with this man’s life. Two months ago, after l

Acting is a craft that demands focus, discipline, and a deep understanding of character and story. As an acting coach, I have found that one act plays serve as an excellent tool for teaching and learning acting. These short, self-contained performances offer actors a unique opportunity to develop their skills efficiently and effectively. This post explores why one act plays are so valuable in acting training and how they help actors grow their craft. A simple stage setup for

We’re excited to present our marionette puppet show this weekend — especially because performances like this are rare in our area. It’s not every day you get to experience the quiet magic of true marionette artistry. But what exactly makes these puppets so fascinating? Marionettes sit at the crossroads of art, illusion, and control. They are not simply toys — they are miniature performers brought to life through visible strings and invisible skill. Crafted from wood, fabric,