Reader’s Theater, Pride Month & PFLAG: A Conversation with Dixon Stage Left

🎭 How did PFLAG begin?What exactly is reader’s theater? And what does the future hold for Dixon Stage Left?

On this episode of Along the Rock, host Kierstyn Long sitsdown with Karen Kaufman, Ashlynn Whaley, and Brandon Clark from Dixon Stage Left to discuss their upcoming production, Everybody’s Favorite Mothers—a reader’s theater performance that tells the story behind the founding of PFLAG through humor, heart, and history.

The conversation explores how reader’s theater offers anaccessible way for newcomers and busy community members to get involved in the arts without months of rehearsals or memorization. Brandon Clark shares his experience stepping onto the stage for the first time, while Ashlynn Whaley discusses taking on her first assistant directing role under the mentorship of Karen Kaufman.

🎟️ Performance Details:

📅 Friday, June 26 &Saturday, June 27

🕢 7:30 p.m. performances

📍 The Next Picture Show,Dixon, Illinois

💵 Tickets: $20

Because Dixon Stage Left is continuing renovations to itshistoric theater, this special production will be staged at The Next Picture Show. Audiences can expect a unique blend of storytelling, history, and beloved maternal characters as the play explores the origins of PFLAG.

The guests also provide an update on Stage Left’s ongoingrenovations, reveal what audiences can expect from upcoming productions like Guys and Dolls and A Winter’s Tale, and discuss creative fundraising efforts—including a Taylor Swift signed guitar raffle.

Whether you're a theater lover, a supporter of local arts,or simply curious about community theater in the Sauk Valley, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at one of the region’s most vibrant arts organizations.

Learn more about Dixon Stage Left, purchase tickets, andsupport local theater: https://dixonstageleft.org/

👉 Don’t forget to like, share, comment and subscribe for more local stories from the Sauk Valley and beyond.

🎧 Listen to the full podcast and explore more at https://theradar.online

🎤 Highlights:

0:00 Intro

0:22 Meet the guests from Dixon Stage Left

0:42 What is Everybody’s Favorite Mothers about?

1:25 Why this show was chosen for Pride Month

2:28 How Reader’s Theater works

3:16 Benefits of Reader’s Theater vs. traditional productions

4:00 Why Reader’s Theater is perfect for busy performers

5:05 Show dates, location, and ticket information

5:45 Update on Dixon Stage Left renovations

7:50 Ashlyn’s first experience as Assistant Director

8:26 Mentorship and growing theater leadership

9:04 Brandon’s journey into community theater

10:47 Upcoming Dixon Stage Left productions

11:28 Shakespeare at Sauk Valley returns with A Winter’s Tale

12:12 Preview of the holiday production, A Christmas Story

12:41 Taylor Swift signed guitar fundraiser announcement

14:23 How the fundraiser supports Dixon Stage Left

15:02 Free Shakespeare performances at Sauk Valley

15:27 Final thoughts and invitation to attend the show

15:44 Closing remarks

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