About Us

Fire Line Stageworks is the next chapter of a story that began with Fire Line Productions.

Founded in Wabash, Indiana, Fire Line Productions began with a simple belief: that powerful storytelling has the ability to bring people together, spark conversation, and strengthen a community. What started as a passion for producing bold, engaging live theatre has grown into a regional arts organization committed to creating meaningful opportunities for artists, audiences, and the next generation of performers.

Led by Wabash native and theatre professional Taylin Halderman, Fire Line Productions built a foundation of high-quality productions, local talent, and a growing audience throughout Wabash and surrounding communities. Each production became an opportunity to learn, grow, and reinvest in the next—building something bigger with every show.

Today, that foundation becomes Fire Line Stageworks.

Stageworks represents the natural evolution of the Fire Line brand and an expanded vision for what we can accomplish together. As a nonprofit organization, Fire Line Stageworks exists not only to produce exceptional theatre, but to build, support, and expand the performing arts throughout Wabash and the surrounding region.

We believe the future of the arts depends on more than what happens onstage. It depends on creating opportunities for local artists, welcoming talent from across the region, investing in education, developing the next generation of performers and technicians, and building a community where the arts can thrive.

Fire Line Productions was the beginning. Fire Line Stageworks is where we go next.

And just as every production has built upon the one before it, we intend for every season, every artist, every student, and every audience member to become part of something larger—a growing family of artists and arts supporters working together to create a stronger future for the performing arts in our community.

Taylin Halderman - Executive Director

I am a Wabash native and lifelong advocate for the performing arts. I am a graduate of Southwood High School and Huntington University, and I have had the privilege of building a career in theatre and live entertainment while staying connected to the community that helped shape me.

I currently serve as the Technical Director for Honeywell Arts & Entertainment, where I work behind the scenes to bring a wide variety of performances and events to life. My work in technical theatre has allowed me to explore many different aspects of live production while continuing to grow as an artist, leader, and educator.

Through Fire Line Stageworks, I hope to create meaningful opportunities for local and regional artists while bringing engaging, high-quality theatre to audiences throughout our community and beyond. I have a deep passion for the performing arts and believe strongly in the power of theatre to bring people together, tell meaningful stories, and inspire creativity.

One of the things I am most passionate about is helping introduce the next generation to theatre. Whether that means getting a young person involved onstage, teaching a new technician backstage, or simply giving someone their first opportunity to experience live theatre, I want Fire Line Stageworks to help foster the next generation of theatre lovers, artists, technicians, and storytellers.

Brett Robinson - President

I’ve been an active member of the Wabash-area theatre community for many years, with experience both on and off the stage. I’ve performed in and directed local plays, musicals, and variety shows, along with creative work in audiobook narration and sketch comedy. Outside of theatre, I work at the Wabash County YMCA, where I enjoy serving our community. As Board President of Fireline Stageworks, I bring creative experience, leadership, and a genuine commitment to the arts. I believe theatre has a unique ability to bring people together, tell meaningful stories, develop local talent, and create lasting community experiences. I’m honored to help lead Fireline Stageworks and excited about what we can accomplish together.

Robby Stanley - Vice President

I’ve been involved in community theatre for many years, both onstage and behind the scenes, and it has become a meaningful part of my life. After my military service, theatre became a therapeutic outlet where I found connection, purpose, and joy through storytelling. Some of my favorite memories have come from sharing the stage with my wife and friends and creating moments that make audiences laugh or move them long after the curtain falls. I joined Fire Line Stageworks because I’m committed to our community and want to help artists thrive while creating more opportunities for people to experience the connection and magic of live theatre.

Ham Sadler - Treasurer

Ham Sadler was infected with the theater disease at an early age when his mother, a church music director and pianist, insisted he participate in the programs and choirs she directed. She instilled a lifelong love of music and theater that he has nurtured ever since. A retired software engineer and 15-year U.S. Army intelligence analyst, Ham maintained his life long affinity for the theater, probably because he never wanted to grow up, after all, the theater is all make believe. He jokes that his first acting role was Baby Jesus with his mom as Mary and Dad as Joseph. He doesn’t remember that show, possibly because a four month old baby may not have the most reliable memory. Ham’s verifiable credits range from Pooh-Bah in Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Mikado in his sophomore year of high school to his most recent stage role as the Rev Dr. Harper in Arsenic and Old Lace.

His technical experience stretches from a brief stint as a radio disc jockey in the 1970s to stage managing Annie, designing sound for Carousel, lighting Grease, and lighting Rocking the Hall of Fame at the Eagles Theater. Passionate about keeping live theater alive, Ham works with local high school drama clubs to pass on his knowledge of stage craft and theater technology to young people. He owns and operates HamItUp, LLC, a DJ service and production support company serving the Wabash region, and co-founded Fire Line Productions with Taylin Halderman.

Molly Dazey - Secretary

I’ve been involved in theatre since my first production on the Honeywell stage at the age of 6. I now have the honor of working in guest relations for Honeywell Arts & Entertainment. I chose to join FLS because I value high-quality theatre and have been consistently impressed by the shows they produce. I hope FLS can show Wabash and beyond that anyone can be involved in the art of live theatre while helping grow the arts in our community.

Jessica Keffaber - Member at Large

I have loved theater ever since participating in Northfield's high school program while I was a student there. I’ve been directing theater since 2019 and currently lead the high school summer theatre camp at Honeywell Arts & Education, where I also serve as the Education Media Manager and media arts instructor. Fire Line Stageworks has been actively working to keep theater alive in Wabash, and I am excited and honored to join their inaugural board to help continue building a vibrant, inclusive space where artists and stories can thrive.

Janeen Kooi - Member at Large

Theatre has been part of my life since grade school. It allowed a painfully shy little girl to find "her people"; provided a safe place to explore her imagination; and fulfilled a need for self-expression. I joined FLS to help create and sustain an organization that provides community, education, and opportunities for artistic collaboration and personal growth.

Jason Gornto - Member at Large

Bio coming soon