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Twenty years ago, a completely different, fresh-faced group of high-schoolers performed “Barnum” at Lincoln for the first time.  Former Lincoln theatre teacher John Healy did the unimaginable, turning the length of the floor of the Lincoln Cafeteria into a three-ring circus, with the audience sitting along one side of the room on bleachers borrowed from the pool deck!  Little could any of us have dreamed what changes would subsequently take place; since that performance, the white-tiled multi-purpose room with its blue vinyl curtains has been completely transformed into the black box theatre space which you are sitting in today.

While the venue may have changed, one thing has remained constant throughout this time: the Lincoln tradition of theatrical excellence.  Students continue to delight audiences with compelling performances in an variety of productions.  Graduates have gone on to successful professional careers in all aspects of the arts; some have continued their involvement in community and college productions, while others have chosen to simply show appreciation from the audience. 

Tonight, I dedicate this show to John.  The students weren’t the only ones to learn from Mr. Healy!  Although John has been called to the big top in the sky, his influence inspires me every time I teach, and I will always be grateful for the knowledge he instilled in me. He would be so proud to see that the legacy of great theatre at Lincoln continues with such flair today.  Enjoy the show!

 Anne-Marie Katemopoulos

 “If I shoot at the sun, I may hit a star.” --P.T. Barnum

Think…BIG! This is the message that this wonderful musical reminds me of every time I watch a run. Everything about this production runs on the “big” scale; from bodies in the air, to the tricks on the floor, it is an extravaganza of color and movement that has been such a pleasure to work on.

Five years ago, after we held our first summer silks intensive, there was a vision that our students would eventually grow the skill set to heavily feature Circus Arts in a production. Specifically, Barnum has been on my wish list for a long, long time. To have the chance to tell the true(ish) story of a real historical figure’s life within their chosen medium is a fun challenge to have. This is the right cast at the right time to pull off the spectacle; kudos to their dedication and focus!

On a more personal note, I was one of those fresh-faced Freshman in the audience of the cafeteria 20 years ago. Working along John Healy and Anne-Marie was another inspiring teacher, choreographer Debbie Wilson. I learned so much about construction from watching her work and studying her shows. Her intelligent, humorous, and engaging dances made we want to do this work. On behalf of, and in tribute to, all of our inspiring teachers with an eye for razzle dazzle, I dedicate this show to the spirit of aiming high and thinking BIG!

Becky Novotny Bullard

Every Barnum needs a Bailey, and this production certainly took a team of talented artists to bring the magic to the stage that you see here. This director's crazy and sometimes impossible ideas are brought to life on stage through music, movement, lights and this time actors hanging from our ceiling!

BARNUM has challenged us in almost every way throughout the rehearsal process but a creative and determined staff, as always, brings theatrical excellence to the stage. I'm very proud of the actors, technicians and musicians who have worked so long and diligently to bring this musical to life.

This Barnum, with his high flying, ridiculous and impossible ideas, humbly tips his hat to all the Bailey's and can't wait to do it again. Tom Thumb was wrong, BIGGER is better! 

C. August Manthe