ABOUT Clarence Hayward
For Clarence Hayward, Children’s Theatre of Elgin wasn’t just a place where his daughter performed – it became a beloved family tradition, a creative outlet, and the start of a passion he never saw coming. Active with CTE from 1991 to 2004, Clarence volunteered on roughly five productions, with The Wizard of Oz standing out as his most treasured experience.
Clarence’s favorite CTE memory is one many families only dream of. When the cast of The Wizard of Oz traveled by train from Elgin to New Orleans, Clarence joined his 14-year-old daughter Jennifer (Dorothy) and a company of young actors for an unforgettable adventure. The group explored the Superdome, toured an old plantation, visited the French Quarter, and shared a crawfish boil with the hosting children’s theater in Pineville, Louisiana. It was a trip that combined travel, community, and theater magic in a way that still brings a smile to Clarence’s face.
But the moment that changed everything came during rehearsal, when Clarence was asked on the spot to operate a follow-spot for the first time. Wearing a headset and hearing the director call the show, he found an unexpected joy in the technical side of theater.
As he illuminated the stage and watched his daughter sing “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”, Clarence felt he was fulfilling a lifelong dream of “putting his daughter in lights” – literally. That single experience sparked years of volunteering both at CTE and beyond.
Today, Clarence is a proud retired grandfather of five and still cherishes the community that shaped so many years of his family’s life. Watching his daughter continue to perform in community theater – and now seeing his granddaughters step into roles in The Wizard of Oz and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat – has brought the story full circle, extending the CTE legacy into a new generation.
Clarence also fondly remembers seeing former CTE Wicked Witch Courtney Reed shine on Broadway as Jasmine in Aladdin, a moment of pride for everyone who watched her grow on the Hemmens stage.
Reflecting on his time with CTE, Clarence says the best part was “working with a wonderful cast and great group of volunteer parents.” He encourages families to get involved however they can, sharing that CTE and FVTC are “wonderful ways for children to express themselves and use their God-given talents to entertain.”
CTE is grateful for volunteers like Clarence – parents who give their time, spirit, and enthusiasm, leaving a legacy that lasts long after the final bow.