Bringing History to Life: Clayton Stacey Helps Transform the 250 Ride Experience

When people see Caesar Rodney preparing for his historic journey from Dover to Philadelphia, they see a Revolutionary-era statesman brought to life. What they may not realize is the tremendous amount of artistry, creativity, and behind-the-scenes work required to make that transformation possible.

For the 250Ride.org campaign, much of that responsibility has fallen on the shoulders of Clayton Stacey.

A longtime creative professional at Delaware's renowned Candlelight Theatre, Stacey serves as the organization's Hair, Wig, and Makeup Designer while also contributing in a variety of other roles, including Social Media Manager and production support. Having first entered the theater world as a performer, Stacey developed a passion for storytelling and character creation that would eventually lead him behind the scenes, where he now helps audiences experience history through visual presentation and attention to detail.

Today, Stacey has taken on another important role: helping transform New Castle County Register of Wills Ciro Poppiti III into the one and only Caesar Rodney.

Since Rodney's first public appearance as part of the Delaware Italian American Foundation's 250Ride.org initiative, Stacey has been a trusted member of the team. Working closely with Poppiti and the project's leadership, he has helped develop the look and presentation of Delaware's most famous founding father while assisting with the many appearances, photo shoots, and public programs that have become part of the campaign.

Recognizing both his talent and dedication, 250Ride.org officially brought Stacey aboard as the organization's Hair, Wig, Wardrobe, and Makeup Designer.

His contributions extend far beyond Caesar Rodney.

Over the past year, Stacey has played a central role in helping bring the entire Unheard Voices of the Revolution initiative to life. Through his work with wigs, wardrobe, makeup, and character presentation, he has helped shape the appearance of historical interpreters portraying Revolutionary-era figures whose stories are often overlooked in traditional history books.

Whether preparing participants for appearances at the Biggs Museum, Dover Days, DE250 events, the 250 Ride Gala, educational programs, media opportunities, or promotional photo shoots, Stacey's attention to detail has helped elevate the presentation of the project at every turn.

His connection to Candlelight Theatre has proven invaluable throughout the process. Through his relationships within the theater community, Stacey has helped secure costumes, garments, accessories, and other critical pieces needed to complete historical portrayals. On more than one occasion, his ability to tap into resources from Candlelight Theatre and fellow performing arts organizations has helped solve last-minute challenges and keep projects moving forward.

Simply put, many of the characters audiences have come to recognize as part of the 250Ride.org campaign would not look the way they do without Clayton Stacey's creative vision.

"Clayton has been one of the most important additions to this entire project," said Jesse Heninger, Director of Marketing for the Delaware Italian American Foundation and 250Ride.org, and Co-Producer of the 250 Ride. "He's an incredible creative talent whose work speaks for itself, but what has impressed me most is his willingness to do whatever it takes to help the team succeed. This project moves fast, and there have been countless moments where Clayton stepped in and solved problems before they became bigger issues. Whether it's finding a last-minute wardrobe piece, preparing a character for an appearance, or helping shape the visual identity of our campaign, he's been indispensable. Beyond his talent, he's simply a great person to work with, and our project is better because he's part of it."

For Ciro Poppiti III, the man portraying Caesar Rodney, Stacey's impact is evident every time he steps into character.

"Clayton has been an absolute pleasure to work with and an invaluable member of our team," said Ciro Poppiti III, Founder of 250Ride.org and the Delaware Italian American Foundation. "His professionalism, creativity, and attention to detail have helped bring a new level of quality to everything we do. Whether preparing me to portray Caesar Rodney or helping the many interpreters who participate in our events, Clayton consistently exceeds expectations. We are fortunate to have someone with his talent and passion helping bring this project to life."

As preparations continue for the June 12–13 reenactment of Caesar Rodney's historic ride, Stacey remains hard at work behind the scenes preparing the cast of historical interpreters who will bring the event to life. From Caesar Rodney himself to the many participants portraying the Unheard Voices of the Revolution and other Revolutionary-era figures, Stacey oversees the wigs, wardrobe, makeup, and character presentation that help create a memorable experience for audiences across Delaware.

During the two-day journey from Dover to Philadelphia, visitors will encounter a variety of historical characters whose appearances have been shaped through Stacey's creativity and attention to detail. His work helps ensure that each participant is prepared to represent their historical figure with professionalism and care.

As Delaware prepares to commemorate America's 250th anniversary, Clayton Stacey continues to play an important role in helping 250Ride.org tell the story of Caesar Rodney, the Unheard Voices of the Revolution, and the people whose contributions helped shape the nation.