Preserving Bucyrus: Inside the Historical Society with Roy and Barb Rigdon 🎤
Release Date: 04/30/2026
No Small Parts
🎉 "Mama Mia!" We’re Doing Mamma Mia! ABBA Hits, Greek Island Vibes & Community Theater Magic Hit the Bucyrus Little Theatre Stage! Get ready to dance, laugh, and sing along as host Scott Leon Smith sits down with the multi-talented Rick Walker, the director, music director, and choreographer of Bucyrus Little Theatre’s upcoming smash-hit production of Mamma Mia! This episode is packed with behind-the-scenes stories, cast excitement, and all the sunny, feel-good energy of the show everyone loves. Why You’ll Love This Episode ABBA-fueled fun meets small-town heart ...
info_outlineNo Small Parts
​🎙️ Bringing Bucyrus History to Life: Prohibition Agents, Parachute Nurses & Cemetery Walks! ​Did you know Bucyrus was home to the first female federal prohibition agent? Or that local actors are stepping into the shoes of our town's earliest settlers? ​In this episode, Scott sits down with Roy, the new Curator of the Bucyrus Historical Society, and Barb Rigdon from the Bucyrus Little Theatre, to talk about how they are teaming up to make local history jump right off the page! From Roy’s transition as a retired history teacher to his new role managing the historic Scroggs...
info_outlineNo Small Parts
In this special episode of No Small Parts, host Scott Leon Smith chats with Bucyrus Little Theatre (BLT) board members Patty Schwall (Vice President) and Cheri Laughbaum (Secretary). As Ohio weather flips between cold and warm, the trio dives into the excitement surrounding BLT’s 75th anniversary celebration and the big reveal of its 2026-27 season. The conversation highlights the free event on Sunday, April 12, from 2–5 p.m., featuring a Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting, light refreshments, a cash bar (with beer and malted beverages), a video tribute to the theater’s rich...
info_outlineNo Small Parts
What happens when you mix quick thinking, big personalities, and a little competitive chaos? You get March Mayhem. In this episode of No Small Parts, host Scott Smith sits down with Teen Improv Troupe coaches Lalaina and Kevin to talk about the upcoming improv tournament at Bucyrus Little Theatre. With 14 young improvisers ready to take the stage, this year’s show introduces a bracket-style competition inspired by basketball’s March Madness, complete with teams, judges, and eliminations as the night unfolds. Lalaina and Kevin pull back the curtain on how the troupe trains, from...
info_outlineNo Small Parts
Join host Scott Leon Smith and the hilarious cast of Bucyrus Little Theatre's Rumors as they dish on Neil Simon's riotous American farce. From frantic cover-ups of a deputy mayor's "accident" to car crashes, back spasms, burnt fingers, and wild excuses involving exploding shaving cream cans, this episode is packed with on-stage antics and off-stage camaraderie. Meet the characters, lawyers, accountants, trophy wives, politicians, and a TV chef, who turn a 10th anniversary party into a whirlwind of lies, gossip, and slapstick. Hear about braving Ohio's brutal winter without heat, the magic of...
info_outlineNo Small Parts
Theatre Historian Shares Memories Of The Stage In Time For 75th Anniversary Join host Scott Leon Smith in the cozy lobby of Bucyrus Little Theatre as he sits down with longtime volunteer Tom Etsinger, house manager, master set builder, and keeper of BLT’s rich history. In this heartfelt episode, Tom takes us on a captivating journey from his trumpet-playing debut in the 1976 pit orchestra for Hello, Dolly! to designing elaborate sets with hammers, nails, and pure ingenuity. Hear behind-the-scenes stories of epic builds (like the historically accurate 1776 set that traveled across town),...
info_outlineNo Small Parts
🎄🤠Y’all, grab your eggnog and buckle up for a Texas-sized Christmas catastrophe! In this hilarious episode of No Small Parts, host Scott Leon Smith sits down with director (and board president) Abbey Kanellakis and cast members Debbi Gifford, Julie Pollock, and first-time actor Shadow Pollock to talk about Bucyrus Little Theatre’s upcoming riotous holiday comedy, Christmas Belles, sponsored by Firelands Federal Credit Union, Lulu's Kitchen, and The Ohio Flower Girls! Expect behind-the-scenes chaos as we dive into the Futrelle sisters’ attempt to save (or destroy?) the annual...
info_outlineNo Small Parts
Host Scott Leon Smith sits down with Bucyrus Little Theatre Board President Abbey Kanellakis to unpack the theater's upgraded fundraiser, now a full online silent auction powered by Castle Auctions and Appraisals. Running December 8–16 (with live promotion during Christmas Belles performances December 12–14), the event features themed baskets, local business donations, gift certificates, swag, and one-of-a-kind items, all matched dollar-for-dollar up to $1,500 by Modern Woodmen of America. Learn how to donate (items, baskets, or cash—deadline November 24), get pickup coordinated via...
info_outlineNo Small Parts
Join Us For A Wild Ride at Bucyrus Little Theatre Get ready for a fang-tastic episode of No Small Parts, the podcast that shines a spotlight on the heart and soul of community theatre! This time, host Scott Leon Smith takes us behind the scenes at Bucyrus Little Theatre in Ohio, where rehearsals for the cult classic Bat Boy: The Musical are in full swing. Buckle up, Broadway fans, because this episode is a hilarious, heartfelt dive into a show that’s equal parts Hamilton swagger, Mean Girls sass, and pure, unfiltered weirdness. Well ... kind of ... Scott sits down with a few members of his...
info_outlineNo Small Parts
No Small Parts: A Community Theatre Podcast In this delightful episode of No Small Parts, host Scott Leon Smith sits down with Cindy Light, the seasoned director of Willy Wonka Jr. at Bucyrus Little Theatre. Dive into the whimsical world of this youth production as Cindy shares her process for choosing the show, managing a lively cast of 8- to 18-year-olds, and balancing fun with discipline. From the challenges of directing dual casts to incorporating young talent in tech roles, Cindy reveals how she creates a magical experience for both performers and audiences. Learn about the vibrant energy...
info_outline​🎙️ Bringing Bucyrus History to Life: Prohibition Agents, Parachute Nurses & Cemetery Walks!
​Did you know Bucyrus was home to the first female federal prohibition agent? Or that local actors are stepping into the shoes of our town's earliest settlers?
​In this episode, Scott sits down with Roy, the new Curator of the Bucyrus Historical Society, and Barb Rigdon from the Bucyrus Little Theatre, to talk about how they are teaming up to make local history jump right off the page! From Roy’s transition as a retired history teacher to his new role managing the historic Scroggs House, to Barb’s fascinating deep-dives into portraying trailblazing women like Georgia Hopley and Mary Scroggs—this episode is packed with incredible local lore.
​Plus, get your calendars ready! We’ve got a packed summer schedule of community events you won't want to miss:
​📅 May 21st: Special guest Mark Corey brings Colonel William Crawford to life.
​🎬 June 26th: Movie Night! Featuring Parachute Nurses and the story of local aviation legend Loretta Schimmoller.
​🍦 July: Community Ice Cream Social at Shines Park.
​🪦 September: The Annual Cemetery Walk! This year features early settlers, the Norton and Hopley families, and a special tribute to the 15+ Revolutionary War veterans buried right here in our county.
​Want to get involved? The Historical Society at the Scroggs House is open to the public every Friday from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. They are always looking for passionate volunteers, docents, and researchers. Tune in to find out how you can be a part of preserving our town's legacy!