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,

The Hanford Multicultural Theatre Company (HMTC) was so inspired by the musicians who showed up to the first Jam Lab event at the Lil’ Brick Theatre. Each one of you made this event a great success, and we were happy to facilitate this free event, where musicians were able to connect with one another and express themselves through music. One of the musicians who showed up at our first Jam Lab was Cesar Bettencourt. Cesar is a blues guitarist who performs all over the state

This week, we rehearsed a marionette puppet show titled “The Bitter Couple.” First of all, thank you to SoCalGas and Hanford’s Rotary Club for their financial support in making this show possible. It allowed us to purchase the puppets and keeps ticket prices low for the community. The show follows a retired couple, Earl and Maybis, who bicker. Maybe out of boredom, or perhaps that’s just how they are. Their son David suggests therapy. Does therapy broaden their perspective or

THIS SUNDAY AT THE LITTLE BRICK THEATER The Lil’ Brick Theatre has received some follow up questions about the Open House taking place this Sunday from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm. I would like to elaborate a bit more about this event, and the purpose behind it. The Lil’ Brick Theatre, also known as the Hanford Multicultural Theater Company (HMTC), has already been a fixture in the community for many years, but everyday we have visitors who never knew this theatre existed. Although m

My name is Ted Hillman, and I am currently a volunteer at the Lil' Brick theatre, also known as the Hanford Multicultural Theatre Company (HMTC). After the sudden death of the former tech director Scott, the HMTC director Silvia, reached out to see if I would be willing to volunteer as the interim tech director, which I was happy to take on. It’s been an honor to step in and help at the Lil' Brick Theatre. I am thankful that I was in the right place at the right time, and tha

Hanford is in for a treat! Twenty-two stand-up comics will take the stage on Saturday, January 10, at 6:30 pm at the Lil’ Brick Theater. It will be a fantastic night of laughter, all to support the Hanford Multicultural Theater Company. From as far north as Sacramento to as far south as Bakersfield, comedians will come to take the stage. What a fun opportunity to see comedians from all over the Central Valley. We welcome Frank Garcia, Gem, Stephen Dexheimer, Tyson Hayes, Mart

What’s new for 2026 at Hanford Multicultural at the Lil’ Brick Theater? Well, a few things. For one, classes have been scheduled to take place in January, February, March, September, October, and November. The change is partly due to our plans to collaborate with the Santa Rosa Rancheria Education Department. We are currently working to finalize a program. Whatever Open-Mic continues and has become very popular. We see participants coming from as far north as Sacramento and a

Exciting news for Hanford: Hanford will be featured on Valley PBS on Tuesday, December 23rd, at 9pm, as part of the CMAC Big Tell film documentary series. Ten films will be showcased, including one filmed by Silvia Gonzalez Scherer (AKA Silvia Gonzalez S.) in Hanford. Titled "Retired and Inspired," Silvia’s film highlights Hanford retirees enjoying the arts, some for the very first time. The film starts with Sigfredo Acosta, 71, trying stand-up comedy. Don Brakeman, 93, who h