In The News 17 June 2026

SSCC Theatre Company presents ‘Fire in the Night Season: The Trial of Philip Partridge'

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By Elizabeth Burkard
Director of Marketing
Southern State Community College

SSCC Theatre Company presents “Fire in the Night Season: The Trial of Philip Partridge,” a docudrama by Rainee Angles and Susan Banyas, retelling the story of the trailblazing County Engineer, Philip Partridge, who stood trial for burning down the Lincoln School in Hillsboro, Ohio. The performance plays one night only July 17 at 7 p.m., in the Edward K. Daniels Auditorium on Southern State’s Central Campus, 100 Hobart Drive, Hillsboro.
 
In May of 1954, the Brown v. Board of Education ruling declared racial segregation of public schools was unconstitutional. In Hillsboro, the white children went to Washington or Webster Elementary, while the black children attended the Lincoln School, a school badly in need of repair and improvements. Voters had passed a levy to upgrade the two white schools, and this motion placed integration on the back burner indefinitely. Enter Philip Partridge, July 5th, 1954. At 2 a.m., he lit the match that forced integration in this small, rural town.
 
The cast includes: Brendan Bell, Paula Campagna, Jacqueline Freshour, Fiona Holmes, Ian Holmes, Mark Holmes, Leslie Holmes, Vanesa Melendez, and JaHari Pitts.
 
The production team includes: Rainee Angles (director) and Benjamin Gullett (sound and media design). Fulfilling other crew positions are: Zanna Eckman, Amber Klump, Madison Stanfield, Taylor Stanfield, and Matt Waits.
 
Tickets for “Fire in the Night Season: The Trial of Philip Partridge” are available now for free, but must be reserved in advance at www.sscctheatre.com.
 
For more information on “Fire in the Night Season: The Trial of Philip Partridge,” please visit www.sscctheatre.com.

••• Publisher's note: A free press is critical to having well-informed voters and citizens. While some news organizations opt for paid websites or costly paywalls, The Highland County Press has maintained a free newspaper and website for the last 28 years for our community. If you would like to contribute to this service – and want it to continue – it would be greatly appreciated. Donations may be made to: The Highland County Press, P.O. Box 849, Hillsboro, Ohio 45133. Please include "for website" on the memo line.

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