The Staff at LCT:

Larry Snipes
Producing Director

Larry has served as Lexington Children’s Theatre’s Producing Director since 1979.  After completing his MA in theatre for young audiences at Alabama’s University of Montevallo, he worked for two years as a professional actor and director in the Washington, DC area.  He has directed more than 60 productions for LCT and performed in many others.  Under his leadership, LCT has grown from a small community arts organization to Lexington’s only professional theatre company. His adaptation of Kentucky author James Still’s, JACK AND THE WONDER BEANS published by Anchorage Press has been performed at theatres across the country. Additionally he has adapted several unpublished scripts for LCT’s touring company including; THE LEGEND OF JOHN HENRY, PECOS BILL AND SLUEFOOT SUE, TALES OF EDGAR ALLAN POE and a Russian folktale, KATERINA THE CLEVER. Two of the Snipes most recent adaptations of Kentucky children’s author and illustrator, Paul Brett Johnson’s work, COWS DON’T FLY AND OTHER KNOW FACTS and OLD DRY FRYE were recently published by New Plays and Anchorage Press. Mr. Snipes most recent play, an adaptation of Laura Numeroff’s IF YOU TAKE A MOUSE TO THE MOVIES is available through HarperCollins. In addition to his duties at LCT, Mr. Snipes has served as Guest Director and Adjunct Instructor at the University of Kentucky and Adjunct Instructor at Transylvania University, on the board of the Kentucky Theatre Association, LexArts and the Southeastern Theatre Conference as Chair of the Children’s Theatre Division.

Contact Larry with questions about script submissions or renting our facility.

Vivian R. Snipes
Artistic Director

Vivian knew in sixth grade (thanks Mr. Maas!) she would work in theatre and by ninth grade (Thanks Jerry Whiddon and Craig Babcock!) she had decided to specialize in theatre for young audiences. Much to her mother's chagrin, as a senior in high school, she announced that she, "wasn't going to college but was going to get a job in theatre!". And (fortunately) went straight to work for Library Theatre in Washington, DC. Three years later -- while teaching elementary school, working toward a degree in Interrelated Arts at the University of Maryland and volunteering at Adventure Theatre in Glen Echo Park -- she married Larry and shortly thereafter moved to KY. She has worked at LCT for over 30 years in multiple capacities including teacher, designer, stage manager, costumer, production manager, director and writer / rewriter! She loves her job and the challenges that each new day brings … like collaborating with Larry on scripts (though we don’t bicker quite as much as the Fisherman and Isabell). Ms. Vivian and Larry have two children; Erica working toward a PhD in Physics at Auburn in Auburn, Alabama and Joseph Casey a recent graduate from Northern Kentucky University with a  BFA in Theatre.

Contact Vivian to apply for the Resident Professional Intern Program, Professional and Discovery performance opportunities, and as a guest designer, overhire or staff position.

Jeremy Kisling
Associate Artistic Director in charge of Education

Jeremy cherishes the opportunity to create and use his imagination to make art everyday. He is celebrating his 10th year at Lexington Children’s Theatre. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Northern Iowa and his M.F.A. in Drama and Theatre for a Youth from the University of Texas at Austin. He hopes to see you at the theatre often!

Contact Jeremy about Theatre School, Educational Outreach (Play Guides, Residencies) or Company B and Junior Company.

Lesley Farmer
Managing Director

A native Floridian, Lesley came to Kentucky in 1996 where she received her B.A. Degree in Mass Communications from Eastern Kentucky University in 2000. Since her graduation she has immersed herself in the Lexington Arts community serving as the Marketing and Events Coordinator for LexArts, Lexington's arts council. There she worked on public art projects including Horse Mania 2000 and Dynamic Doors. In 2003, Lesley joined the staff of Lexington Children's Theatre as the Director of Marketing & Audience Development. Since coming to Lexington Children’s Theatre she has successfully increased LCT’s earned income revenue, and has played a key role in strategic planning. In 2008 Lesley was made Managing Director. Lesley serves as Chair for the Leadership Lexington Youth Program, is on the board of ArtsPower Lexington and is a member of the National Arts Marketing Project and Americans for the Arts. Lesley is married to the number one LCT volunteer, Craig and together they have one son Jackson.

Contact Lesley about anything!! but mostly production promotional materials.

Octavia Biggs
Program Director of Shooting Stars Youtheatre

Immediately after graduating with her BA in theatre from Morehead State University, Octavia was one of two actors nationwide accepted to the National Shakespeare Conservatory in New York City. A few of her new York stage credits include the title roles in: Dark Lady of the Sonnets, performed at the William Redfield Theatre; The Taming of the Shrew, at the National Shakespeare Company; The Rivals, at the Conservatory Theatre; and Life on Pluto, at the Trocadero Theatre. Recently, she appeared as Annie Sullivan in The Miracle Worker, and Mrs. Lincoln in The Last of Mrs. Lincoln. Her directing credits include Annie, Annouilhs’ Antigone, A Company of Wayward Saints, The Rain Maker, The Wizard of Oz, The Sister’s Rosenswieg, and Fiddler on the Roof.  During her time with LCT she has directed A Laura Ingalls’ Wilder Christmas, James and the Giant Peach, Charlotte’s Web, Still Life with Iris, Katarina the Clever, The Legend of John Henry, Pinocchio, Snow White for the summer of 2010. Octavia currently resides in Morehead, Kentucky and serves on the board of directors for the Morehead Theatre Guild.

Contact Tavia to learn about upcoming classes, performance workshops and our summer production for students in Rowan, Elliott and surrounding counties.

Rachel Ray
Development Director

Rachel joined the LCT staff in January of 2011. She has degrees in English and Speech Therapy from the University of Kentucky, and spent the last ten years working for an independent bookseller.  In her free time she likes to hang out with her husband and dogs, read, and knit. She is thrilled about the coming season!

Contact Rachel about sponsorships, donations, and planned giving.

Eric Abele
Resident Designer / Costume Director

Eric Abele is a costume designer and youth educator.  He earned his BA in Dramatic Arts and German at Centre College and completed his MFA in Costume Design at the University of Tennessee.  For many years, Eric was a drama instructor for the Kentucky Governor’s Scholars Program.  Eric’s work as a costume designer has taken him to many theatres across the country and internationally, having studied design in England, Bulgaria and the Czech Republic.  His current project is a design and drawing exchange blog with other costumers from around the country, updated daily.  View his online portfolio at http://www.ericabele.com.  

Contact Eric about costume rentals or costume construction or design opportunities.

Jerome Wills
Resident Designer / Technical Director

Jerome recently completed his MFA in Theatrical Design at The University of Florida. While enrolled at UF he designed both scenery and props for a number of shows ranging from dance to musicals and of course, straight plays. In addition to his scenic work for his degree he remained an active participant in Florida Players as a sound designer where he garnered awards in sound design three years running due to his innovative use of MIDI control and live improvisational underscoring. He holds B.A.'s in both Theatre and English from The University of Southern Maine where he designed several shows for the main stage and black box, receiveing several awards in both scenic and sound design. Among them were Shakuntala in 2004 for which he won the Meritorious Achievement in Scenic Design and later in 2005 the Barbizon Award for Scenic Design for his work on The Laramie Project which was later presented at The Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. Before attending UF, Jerome was technical director, scenic and sound designer for American Irish Repertory Ensemble, Two Lights Theatre Ensemble, and The Children's Theatre of Maine among others.

Contact Jerome about working backstage on a production or guest scenic and lighting design opportunities.

Tiffany Dupont
Marketing & Sales Associate

A former Arts Administration Intern at LCT, Tiffany could not be more excited to be back in Lexington! She received her BA in Communications with an emphasis in Public Relations and Theatre from Grand Valley State University in Allendale, MI. Tiffany enjoys spending time with her amazing family & friends!

Contact Tiffany about Tour Company Bookings, Birthday parties, group and corporate sales or to VOLUNTEER!!!

Amie Kisling
Associate Education Director

After seven summers with LCT as Lead Teaching Artist and Summer Family Musical Co-Director/Choreographer, Amie is thrilled to be a full time staff member! Amie recently completed the adventure that is graduate school, earning her M.F.A in Theatre for Young Audiences from the University of Central Florida. Amie feels so lucky to have a “job” where she gets to wear silly hats, color, and meet amazing families!

Contact Amie about Education, Outreach, Theatre in Education and Summer Family Musical.

Anne Meacham
Production Stage Manager

Anne joined LCT as Production Stage Manager in August of 2007. She holds Bachelors Degrees in English (emphasis on Southern African American Female Poets of the Modern Era) and Theatre from Mary Baldwin College in Staunton, VA, where she graduated Cum Laude with Distinction in 2003. While at Mary Baldwin, she was enrolled in the Program for the Exceptionally Gifted, chair woman of the Student Fine Arts Association, founder of Students Aiding Shenandoah Shakespeare, and member of the Fencing Team. After graduation, she spent a year managing an independent bookstore and interned with Indian River Community College in Fort Pierce, FL., where she stage managed around 18 shows in 10 months. In 2005, she began a year long internship here at LCT. In 2006, she accepted a position as Company Manager for the Olney Theatre Center, a COST Tier 1 AEA theatre outside of Washington, DC. She has spent many summers working with Camp Pennyroyal, a Girl Scout Camp (Kentuckiana Council) outside of Utica, KY, where she served in many capacities, most recently Assistant Camp Director in Charge of Programming and Leadership Training. In her free time, she enjoys camping, playing music with her band, and chasing after her border collie/ black lab mix, North.

Contact Anne for information about technical positions in our Discovery Productions.

Kenneth Foster
Assistant Technical Director / Master Electrician

Kenneth Foster is the newest member of the LCT staff this year (which really just means he arrived a week after everyone else because he was finishing up his contract with the Sante Fe, Opera!). He graduated from The University of Mississippi with a degree in Theatrical Lighting Design. He is very excited about helping to preserve the arts by getting youth in the south energized and passionate about theatre.

Contact Kenneth to assist with light hang and focus or to work in the scene shop!

Ext. 240
jshur @
lctonstage.org

Jess Shur
Lead Scenic Artist / Properties Master

Joining LCT in June of 2011, Jess graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design with a B.F.A. in Production Design. She is pleased to be part of Lexington Children's Theatre. Jessie has worked at the Berkshire Theatre Festival as a Scenic Art Intern as well as painting many shows at SCAD.

Contact Jess if you've got a _______ we can borrow!