Play - On!

Get ready for hilarious, behind-the-scenes chaos with Pickerington Central Theatre’s production of Play On!

Following a community theatre troupe’s frantic journey from early rehearsals to dress rehearsal and final opening night, Play On! is a love letter to the madness of live theatre—packed with every comedic mishap, late-night hurdle, and backstage scramble imaginable.

Bringing this show to life took a few clever tricks of our own. To pull off a set that had to be built on stage and taken down every single night, our crew used stock scenery—treating flats, platforms, and wagons like giant LEGO bricks from our inventory for a lightning-fast build. And because Play On! pulls back the curtain on the theatrical world, audience members get a rare peek behind the magic: for this show, you’re looking right at the exposed, actual back wall of our theatre!

Keep your eyes peeled while you watch—our set is packed with nostalgic easter eggs from past productions, including:

• Student graffiti preserved on the back of the set from Little Shop of Horrors

• Dark blue paint accents left over from Lend Me a Tenor

• Anne Frank’s diary hidden in plain sight within the set

• A classic backdrop from Clue featured front and center

• ...and several other hidden surprises from past shows!

Beyond the stage magic, this production served as a masterclass for our incredible student technicians. The run crew mastered massive rolling scene changes with flying colors, the sound crew handles live miking and mixing for every actor (with custom sound effects sourced entirely by a student), the lighting design was completely created by a student, and our stage management team is firing on all cylinders to keep this crazy train rolling.

I couldn't be prouder of the hardworking students here at the Pickerington Central Theatre Department