The Public is invited to a free guided tour of the exhibit on Saturday, May 9th from 6:30- 8 pm with Historian Craig Dalley and Artists Reception on Saturday, May 30th from 4-6 pm with artist Michael E Johnson and Historian Craig Dalley.
North Texas Performing Arts (NTPA) proudly announces a compelling new production of Ragtime, performed by NTPA’s Collegiate Pursuit troupe, paired with a unique art and history exhibit that explores the unifying power of sports, storytelling, and the arts in breaking social barriers.
Set in early 20th-century America, Ragtime tells the intersecting stories of individuals navigating a nation divided by race, class, and identity. Through its powerful score and narrative, the musical highlights themes of resilience, justice, and the ongoing pursuit of equality—messages that remain deeply relevant today.
Expanding on these themes, NTPA’s Community Outreach Committee has curated a special exhibit centered on baseball legend Jackie Robinson and the broader role of the arts in advancing social change.
A featured component of the exhibit is historian Craig Dalley’s The Goal Dust Trio: Jackie Robinson and His UCLA Football Teammates Go to Hollywood. This exhibit spotlights Robinson alongside Kenny Washington and Woody Strode—three pioneering athletes who helped integrate college football before going on to break barriers in Hollywood during the Golden Age of film. Performing alongside some of the era’s most iconic movie stars, the trio demonstrated how talent and visibility could challenge societal limitations both on the field and on the stage—creating a powerful connection to NTPA’s mission and the transformative nature of performance.
Complementing this historical narrative, Dallas-based artist Michael E. Johnson has created an original Jackie Robinson piece exclusively for this exhibit. Known for his series The Chronicles, Johnson’s work blends pop art, history, and Black American cultural moments to create powerful visual time capsules. His custom piece honors Robinson’s enduring legacy while highlighting the broader cultural impact of barrier-breakers in sports and the arts.
“Ragtime is more than a musical—it’s a conversation,” said Mike Mazur, VP of Youth Theaters. “By pairing this production with an exhibit that connects Jackie Robinson’s legacy to performance and storytelling, we are creating a multi-dimensional experience that reflects NTPA’s mission, our commitment to our Ten Characters and to use the arts to build empathy and bring communities together.”
Michael E. Johnson is a Dallas based professional artist and illustrator with a career spanning over 20 years. He is a graduate of Prairie View A&M University where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Advertising Art. After his undergraduate studies were complete, Michael went on to study painting at the University of Houston in their post-baccalaureate art program.
The style of paintings that Michael produces are a mix of Pop Art, graphic design, American history and moments in Black American popular culture. These paintings known as “The Chronicles”, attempt to act as time capsules designed to tell stories that educate, engage and visually stimulate audiences about the influence of Black people on American culture.
As an African American artist, it is Michael’s desire to create intellectual dialogue concerning the existence, experience and powerful legacy of Black trendsetters in American history.
Contact Information:
Website: www.mjohnsonartwork.com
Instagram: @mjohnson_art
Email: mjohnsonart76@gmail.com
Craig Dalley began his career working on the Hubble Space Telescope in Silicon Valley after earning a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Brigham Young University. He went on to earn a master’s degree in bio-medical engineering from The Ohio State University before joining Texas Instruments (TI), where he contributed to innovations in talking toys, camera phones, automotive electronics, and cybersecurity.
Beyond his engineering career, Craig has a passion for history. He has published an article in The New England Historical and Genealogical Register on political and religious radicalism during the English Civil Wars. He has twice served as a historical consultant for re-enactments commemorating the journey of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who crossed the plains pulling handcarts. Craig has also delivered numerous historical presentations for church, scouts, work, and school on topics ranging from Henry Knox and Abraham Lincoln to the Donner party rescue and the Space Shuttle Challenger.
Craig is also guided by his Christian faith tradition, which encourages meaningful relationships with people from diverse backgrounds and faith traditions and engaging in civil dialogue about complex issues in order to “extend fairness to everyone.” Over the years, Craig’s enthusiasm for innovation, history, and Christian ideals has shaped both his career and his personal pursuits.
“I was deeply impacted by George Floyd’s death in 2020. It prompted me to engage in conversations about race relations with a workplace colleague, and we began exploring ways to contribute to this critical conversation. As leaders in TI’s Christian Employee Network, we reflected on the core Christian belief that all humans are created in God’s image and recognized a responsibility to engage meaningfully in discussions about race. We identified the words and life of Martin Luther King, Jr. as an ideal starting point for discussing race from a religious perspective, since MLK’s Christian convictions deeply inspired his civil rights work.
“Encouraged by my colleague, I shared a presentation on MLK with some of TI’s employee resource groups to commemorate MLK Day. This initiative became an annual tradition, and by the fourth year, I expanded the focus to highlight another man of faith who collaborated with MLK: Jackie Robinson. In researching Jackie Robinson, I became impressed by Jackie’s UCLA football teammates, Kenny Washington and Woody Strode, and by what all three men had accomplished as barrier breakers both on and off the playing field. I created this exhibit to highlight their remarkable accomplishments as actors and to honor their efforts to improve our society.”
The exhibit will be on display from Sunday, May 3 through June 30 at the Willow Bend Center of the Arts, located at . NTPA will host an Artist Reception on Saturday, May 30 from 4:00–6:00 PM, offering guests an opportunity to meet the artists and engage with the work.
In addition, Craig Dalley and Michael E. Johnson will participate in a free public talkback prior to the Ragtime matinee performance on Saturday, May 30 at XX:XX providing deeper insight into the historical and artistic themes explored in the exhibit. A special guided exhibit tour led by Craig Dalley will be held on Saturday, June 27 at XX:XX, offering audiences a deeper exploration of the stories behind the work.
Performances of Ragtime will run May 26–31 at Rodenbaugh Theatre, Willow Bend Center of the Arts. Continuing NTPA’s exploration of identity, culture, and community, the organization’s Repertory Troupe will present West Side Story June 19–28. Like Ragtime, West Side Story examines the immigrant experience and the tensions that arise when cultures collide, while ultimately pointing toward the possibility of understanding and unity. Together, these productions reflect NTPA’s commitment to telling stories that confront division and celebrate the power of breaking barriers through the arts.
This integrated experience underscores the powerful parallels between the stage and the playing field—both spaces where individuals have challenged norms, inspired change, and helped shape a more inclusive future.
For tickets, showtimes, and more information, visit ntpa.org.
The Neiman Marcus Welcome Center inside Willow Bend Center of the Arts is available for artists exhibits and is an initiative of NTPA’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee.
North Texas Performing Arts is committed to acknowledging diversity and promoting equity and inclusion in all programs. The NTPA Governing Board of Directors, Management Boards, and NTPA Staff strive to create performing art spaces that are positive, safe and inclusive regardless of one’s race, creed, gender, religion, orientation, communication differences or abilities. We encourage our families and patrons to exhibit our “10 Characters” taught at NTPA including integrity, leadership, respect, and more importantly, to love one another.
About North Texas Performing Arts
North Texas Performing Arts (NTPA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to developing the character of youth through quality performing arts education and family entertainment. Through theatrical productions, training programs, and community partnerships, NTPA serves thousands of young performers and families each year across North Texas.