Ted Speaks

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 that I had the background and experience needed to perform this role. As a former backline engineer that toured with reggae bands such as Sublime and Pepper, I have visited and worked at hundreds of different venues of all shapes and sizes across North America. When I first stepped into this theatre, I could not help but see its great potential for hosting live concerts and comedy shows. The Lil' Brick theatre was great before I arrived, and it has already had great success putting on various productions such as plays, puppet shows, and comedy events. With my addition to the team, my goal for 2026 is to use my experience in order to create a local ecosystem of Central Valley musicians, where they can collaborate and perform.

For those who are not familiar with the Lil’ Brick theatre, it is a local non-profit organization in downtown Hanford that provides residents of the San Joaquin Valley a place to express themselves artistically. HMTC does this by offering acting classes for all ages, improv classes, open mics where local artists can express themselves through music, comedy, poetry, storytelling, or literally WHATEVER you want.   

It’s difficult to put into words, but the only way that I can describe this theatre, is that when I enter the room, I feel like I am immediately transported to a New York City Comedy Club. You certainly don't feel like you are in Hanford. Whenever I arrive, turn on the lights, and take in the ambiance, I find myself not wanting to leave. 

The fact that this venue is small, and seats just over 60 people, makes it a perfect venue for local artists to get valuable stagetime in order to hone their crafts. Don't be fooled by its size, because small clubs like the Lil' Brick Theatre have made tremendous impacts on art and culture. For example, small venues like the CBGB in New York City were the birthplace of punk rock and new wave. Also, it is an undisputed fact that The Beatles became great musicians because they spent over a thousand hours performing on small stages throughout Germany, very similar to the Lil' Brick. EVERY single musician that you see in a huge arena, once played in a small venue just like the Lil' Brick theatre. These types of venues are critical to the local art scene, as they provide performers regular opportunities to get stage time in a professional setting. The Lil' Brick Theatre is looking forward to providing these opportunities to local valley musicians in the very near future.

The Lil’ Brick Theatre is extending an invitation to all Central Valley musicians to attend our Open House at 119 ½ Douty St on Sunday, January 25th, 2026, from 2pm - 6pm. We look forward to meeting any local musicians and bands of ALL skill levels. Snacks and refreshments will be available.

Come visit us and see why the Lil' Brick Theatre is quickly becoming the cultural and creative hub of the San Joaquin Valley!

Ted Hillman, Interim Sound and Lights Director