Spunzo

The Un-Spun Zone.

Composite story

Emails say a new JCPS chief ordered Manual's Ragtime canceled

Louisville, KentuckyPublished 27 Sep 2026

duPont Manual High School in Louisville, home of the Youth Performing Arts School.
duPont Manual High School in Louisville, home of the Youth Performing Arts School.

No machine-readable author provided. W.marsh assumed (based on copyright claims). / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain · source

Youth Performing Arts School students said Jefferson County Public Schools shut down Ragtime. The district called it a miscommunication and said the show was never canceled. September emails say the new academic chief ordered the cancellation over racial slurs, and the superintendent reversed it within hours.

On Aug. 26, 2026, duPont Manual principal Michael Newman told the Youth Performing Arts School cast of Ragtime they had been told to cancel. Students posted a video that drew Broadway support. JCPS said the show was not canceled and blamed a miscommunication during a review of historical language. Board member Linda Duncan's emails, reported Sept. 25, say Chief Academic Officer Nathan Balasubramanian ordered assistant superintendent Kim Morales to cancel the show over racial slurs and lacked authority to do it. Board member Taylor Everett said an unnamed central-office employee told the principal a decision had been made when due diligence was still underway. Superintendent Brian Yearwood put the show back on within hours and said the final call was his. The production is set for November.

Shared facts

Concerns about Ragtime included racial slurs and other language some people would find offensive.

YPAS students posted a video saying JCPS was shutting down their production of Ragtime.

The students' Ragtime video spread quickly and drew a large online audience.

Broadway performers, including people who had been in Ragtime, publicly supported the YPAS students.

School officials reversed course within hours and said Ragtime would go on.

JCPS and Manual said the Ragtime production is moving forward.

YPAS plans to perform Ragtime in November.

JCPS said it reviewed Ragtime with community groups, other arts programs, and research on how to present it.

Ragtime follows immigration, race, class, and identity in early-1900s New York.

JCPS said some of Ragtime's historical language may be sensitive or difficult for audience members.

JCPS said the review was meant to present the show with care, not to stop students from performing.

JCPS said the production's status was not communicated clearly during the review.

JCPS apologized for the confusion.

Manual and JCPS said they support the Ragtime students and the production.

Auditions or early work on Ragtime happened in the previous school year.

The cast had already started rehearsing Ragtime when students were told to stop.

Superintendent Brian Yearwood said the final decision to let Ragtime continue was his.

YPAS could not change the Ragtime script because the license required the text to stay intact.

Cast members said they pushed to undo the cancellation and were glad they were heard.

Disputed facts

Sources disagree on whether JCPS canceled Youth Performing Arts School's Ragtime or the show was never officially canceled.

Sources disagree on whether Chief Academic Officer Nathan Balasubramanian ordered Ragtime canceled or an unnamed central-office employee told the principal it was canceled before any decision.

Shared opinions

Michael Newman said Ragtime's themes of race, immigration, class, and identity are lessons the community still has to learn.

JCPS said recognizing sensitive language is part of presenting Ragtime responsibly.

Michael Newman called Ragtime a vital historical work.

WAVE 3

JCPS confirms ‘Ragtime’ production not canceled, apologizes for miscommunication to students

WAVE Staff

Published 27 Aug 2026 accessed 27 Sep 2026

Facts

A letter to families said the past 24 hours created stress, confusion, and concern about YPAS's Ragtime.

Opinion

No opinion marked.

WLKY

YPAS goes viral saying production was getting shut down. JCPS claims miscommunication.

Alex Suckow

Published 27 Aug 2026 accessed 27 Sep 2026

Facts

No unique facts.

Opinion

No opinion marked.

WDRB

JCPS says YPAS production of 'Ragtime' will move forward, apologizes for miscommunication

Adi Schanie and WDRB Digital Staff

Published 27 Aug 2026 accessed 27 Sep 2026

Facts

JCPS responded Thursday morning to controversy over a high-school musical.

Opinion

Jeremiah Stephens said the cast wanted to approach Ragtime with honesty and nuance.

Jeremiah Stephens said JCPS still has growth to do in how decisions are made.

Jeremiah Stephens said Ragtime was about reflecting the world, not only about a musical.

Jeremiah Stephens said art can reach people when they do not expect it.

Louisville Public Media

New JCPS chief tried to cancel Manual ‘Ragtime’ show, board member says

Jess Clark and Giselle Rhoden

Published 25 Sep 2026 accessed 27 Sep 2026

Facts

KyCIR obtained emails from board member Linda Duncan about the decision.

In the emails, Linda Duncan was answering a flood of criticism over the cancellation.

Linda Duncan said Nathan Balasubramanian and Kim Morales lacked authority to shut down the production.

Barnard Baker said JCPS had already stated its position and acknowledged communication errors that added to the confusion.

Linda Duncan said no one told Superintendent Brian Yearwood what was taking place.

Principal Michael Newman declined to comment and said he was not authorized to speak to the media.

Kim Morales is the regional assistant superintendent of high schools.

Kim Morales emailed Brian Yearwood and Nathan Balasubramanian that she was left out of the decision.

Brian Yearwood asked Kim Morales to respect the district's chain of command when concerns arise.

Kim Morales said she will limit future communication to Nathan Balasubramanian.

On Aug. 21 a YPAS parent emailed Michael Newman asking for a confidential meeting about Ragtime.

Katy Hopkins said parents signed a permission slip acknowledging derogatory language in the musical.

YPAS parents controlled whether their own students stayed in the production.

Opinion

Linda Duncan questioned whether students should be compelled by the script to use racial slurs.

KyCIR wrote that the emails raise questions about whether JCPS officials were honest about Ragtime.

Linda Duncan said Nathan Balasubramanian went rogue.

A parent said the slur could be a traumatic experience even in a historical context.

Manual RedEye

YPAS’ “Ragtime” still in production despite cancellation confusion

Sarah Aleissa, Abigail Coty, Delaney Henon, Alex Hopkins, Ella Mangeot, Sylvia Mason, and Sophia Tzanetos

Published 27 Aug 2026 accessed 27 Sep 2026

Facts

Michael Newman said staff and students who spoke out about the cancellation faced no punishment.

The cast sang the ending of “Til We Reach That Day,” and Kyran Kennedy conducted.

Cast member Grace Cuenca said she had not been able to sleep.

Later that evening, YPAS staff told students on Google Classroom that the show was back on.

Hours after the Courier Journal story, board member Taylor Everett posted on Facebook about the miscommunication claim.

JCPS has not named who was responsible or confirmed Taylor Everett's account.

On the morning of Aug. 27, the Courier Journal published an article after speaking with a JCPS spokesperson.

On Aug. 27, Michael Newman sent students and families a statement clarifying the situation.

Opinion

Director Julie Evans said the company was relieved they would still get to tell the story.

Kyran Kennedy said the same lyrics mean something different to each singer.

The Educational Theatre Association said suppressing Ragtime because the conversation is difficult would repeat the exclusion the show challenges.

Michael Newman said any concern has to be stopped for and heard.

Jeremiah Stephens said the mission is to tell truthful stories, including the language.

Pit member Carson Blumenthal said Ragtime needs to be shared.