Who’s Who at LCT
Rhonda Bell acts as the Education Director at Lexington Children’s Theatre (LCT). She earned a BA in Theatre from Berea College and an MA from the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa. While in school, she served as a Stage Manager for several productions including Alice in Wonderland, Very Still and Hard to See, and Blithe Spirit. After graduating in 2015, Rhonda served in Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools under the district’s Community Achieves initiative. Ms. Bell began her time at LCT in 2016 as an education intern and has since written and taught curriculum for a variety of classes and workshops, directed productions in LCT’s Learning Stage Series, and written for LCT’s Storyteller Series. Contact Rhonda at 859-254-4546 ext. 226.
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. Since returning to Kentucky, Biggs has worked hard over the last twelve years to bring children’s theatre to eastern Kentucky. In 2004, LCT was able to expand its programming and services to a satellite theatre based in Morehead, KY, which Biggs operates. Since 2004, Elliott and Carter counties have been included into SSYT programming and Biggs oversees all programming and serves these three Appalachian counties. Biggs currently resides in Morehead, Kentucky and serves on the board of directors for the Morehead Theatre Guild. She has been a private speech and theatre coach and developed and ran her own theatrical voice and acting company called TADA Performing Arts Instruction. She is also Lecturer of Theatre at Morehead State University, Music, Theatre and Dance Department (MSU/MTD) and Director for The Little Company, where she prepares college students to perform touring productions and teach drama workshops in middle and high schools across the state of Kentucky. In 2014, Amelia Earhart, which Ms. Biggs directed for the Little Company, was invited to perform at the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival in Albany, Georgia. Contact Octavia at 859-254-4546 ext. 317.
Ashlee began her journey with the theatre in 2014 as an arts administration intern and returned home to her LCT Family in 2021. You may have seen her on the main stage in several productions including The Giver, Old Dry Frye, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, and Duck for President. Ashlee is a currently in the Leadership Lexington class of 2025 and has worked with theatres all over the country, including Chicago Children’s Theatre, Camp Merrie Woode in North Carolina, and most notably, with Broadway in Chicago as a marketing assistant during the first National Tour of Disney’s Aladdin! She has spent three years as a Discovery Educator for The Living Arts & Science Center teaching a variety of visual and performing arts classes. Contact Ashlee at 859-254-4546 ext. 230.
Originally from Cincinnati, Raymond graduated with a BFA in Musical Theatre from Ohio Northern University in 2021. Since then, he has performed at theme parks such as Busch Gardens Williamsburg, and Tweetsie Railroad, and spent two years as a part of the resident acting company at Charleston Stage in Charleston, SC. Recent credits include Jonathon in The Play that Goes Wrong, Warner in Legally Blonde: The Musical, John Arable/Lurvy in Charlotte’s Web, and Bob Cratchit in Scrooge No More!
Inna Gomez is incredibly excited to be joining the LCT Family for their spring tour!! She is originally from Davenport, Iowa, and has recently graduated from Nebraska Wesleyan University with her BFA in Musical Theatre! Some of her most recent credits have been Santa Claus: The Musical, White Christmas, Roger & Hammerstein’s Cinderella, The Revolutionist, and Disaster! The Musical! On top of performing, Inna also enjoys teaching Musical Theatre and Dance at Davenport Junior Theatre, as well as choreographing stage combat for local and college productions! She would love to thank her wonderful partner, Grace, close friends, and parents for the utmost amount of support and love always.
Tatiana Grace was born in California, but originates from Georgia. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Performance at Columbus State University in Columbus, GA. Her favorite past productions include A Year with Frog and Toad (Toad), Three Little Birds (Cedella), Into the Woods (Jack’s Mother), and Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill (Billie Holiday). She would like to thank her friends, family, and professors who have helped and supported her along the way!
Emily graduated from the University of Kentucky with a BA in Theatre in 2020. She is passionate about costuming and the fiber arts!
Marie’s experience with LCT, and theatre altogether, began with a walk on role at the age of nine. She is delighted to have closed the circle of her theatrical experience by coming “home” to LCT as a staff member.
Jaime brings a keen perspective to her role as Marketing and Sales Director at Lexington Children’s Theatre, having over 20 years in visual arts marketing experiences with Artique Gallery in Lexington. A self-professed shutterbug, she enjoys capturing special moments on film, paired with inspired writings to tell stories. Her work at LCT centers on connecting with the wider community, creatively collaborating with new audiences and community partners, and ensuring that children’s theater experiences are accessible and engaging for all. Witnessing the delight of young audiences is the most rewarding part of her role, and she feels fortunate to come to work each day to ‘play.’ Contact Jaime at 859-254-4546 ext. 239.
Jeremy Kisling has taught, directed and performed for young people for over 30 years. He received his B.A. in Theatre Arts from the University of Northern Iowa and his M.F.A. in Drama and Theatre for Youth from the University of Texas at Austin. Jeremy has authored stage versions of Why Mosquitoes Buzz, Anansi the Spider, The Princess Who Lost her Hair and co-wrote The Ghosts of Pineville with Sara Turner. He was the recipient of the 2017 Sara Spencer Child Drama Award and the 2019 Tom Behm Award from the Southeastern Theatre Conference. He is a proud graduate of Leadership Lexington in 2019. Jeremy serves on the Board of Directors for Kentucky Theatre Association, Southeastern Theatre Conference and Lexington’s DiverCity Festival. He is honored to share his life with his wife, Amie Kisling and his wonderful son, Leo. Jeremy would encourage you to be brave and stretch your imagination everyday! Contact Jeremy at 859-254-4546 ext. 227.
Maddi graduated from the University of Kentucky with a degree in Communication Studies. She is a Double Gold Medalist of The United States Figure Skating Association and is a figure skating instructor over at the Lexington Ice Center. Maddi brings a unique blend of communication expertise and athletic achievements, and she is honored to showcase her diverse skills at Lexington Children’s Theatre!
Caleb Lunsford is a teaching artist, scenic painter, performer, and arts education enthusiast from Harrodsburg, Kentucky. A graduate of Morehead State University’s theatre program, Caleb is passionate about children’s theatre and strives to provide an outlet for creativity and expression to the youth of Kentucky. With a history of work in youth-based creative programs he aims to make an impact on those around him, while curating a safe space to both learn and grow.
Laika Myers graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Bowling Green State University with a specialization in Design and Technical Theatre. In her spare time, she loves to read and visit a new coffee shop; while on the clock, she loves to use her artistry to share the magic of theatre with young audiences!
Lydia Rice is the resident teaching artist at Lexington Children’s Theatre, passionate about using theatre education to teach life skills through stage skills. A graduate of Columbus State University with a degree in theatre education, Lydia has taught musical theatre at the Alliance Theatre, choreographed Once On This Island at Hardaway High School, and worked with 3rd-5th graders in the after-school program Drama Kids. She brings her experience and enthusiasm to every class, excited to inspire new students through the magic of theatre.
Jeff Sachs (he/him) is the founding managing director of Kerfuffle, a theatre for the very young in Chicago. Originally from Long Island, NY, Sachs taught and made theatre with young people at Actors Theatre of Louisville; Imagination Stage in Bethesda, MD; and the Chicago Public Schools. He has a bachelor’s in Theatre from Northwestern University, a Master of Fine Arts in Theatre for Youth from Arizona State University, and a Master of Business Administration from DePaul University. He is thrilled to be returning to Kentucky to help Lexington Children’s Theatre continue to create work that inspires young people and their families.
Delaney’s love of theater began as a child and carried her through many productions as both a student and professional. She has worked with the Singletary Center for the Arts and Pioneer Playhouse as a stage manager, and she is very excited to work with LCT! She has also worked in local libraries and loves a good book!
Pronouns: she/they
Gabriel Slusser is thrilled to be joining the LCT family. Originally from Georgia, he earned a B.A. in Theatre from Piedmont College. He has worked at theatres throughout the eastern United States, including Titusville Playhouse, Georgia Ensemble Theatre, and Stagedoor Manor. Contact Gabriel at 859-254-4546 ext. 240.
For more than twenty years Chris has worked in the world of theatre. She began her journey straight out of her MA in Communications with an emphasis in technical theatre from Morehead State University. She landed immediately at the Shenandoah Conservatory, in Winchester, VA, as the Assistant Technical Director and Lighting Instructor. Chris also worked for East Central College, in Union, Missouri, for 6 years as the Technical Director and Communications Instructor. While at ECC, she was the Technical Director for over 64 shows and developed her directing skills by directing over 10 productions.
With an intensive academic background Chris managed to work professionally for such award-wining companies as Jean Ann Ryan Productions out of Miami, FL; Playhouse on the Square in Memphis, TN; Actor’s Theatre of Louisville; Union Opera of St. Louis; Theatre Memphis, Bluegrass Production Studio in Louisville, Ky, Papermill Theatre in Lincoln, NH and IASTE 69 out of Memphis. Her recent travels have been keeping her busy as a Teaching Artist and Tour Manager for Shooting Stars Youtheatre and The Little Company, both of which are located on the campus of Morehead State University. Summer of 2023, she travelled across the pond to bring The Little Company’s tour production of Mr. E of Imagination, written by Vivian Snipes, where the troupe produced 6 international shows at the Intranational Fringe Festival in Scotland, UK. She is very excited to begin her new adventures with Lexington Children’s Theatre.
Contact Chris at 859-254-4546 x223
Kate Tayler graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications degree from Bowling Green State University in Design & Technical Theatre. She is originally from Monroe, Michigan. Kate loves spending time with her cats and her partner, keeping up on all things Taylor Swift, and working with young people.
Lavaun Lloyd Thompson is excited to return to LCT for his third tour. Lavaun earned his BFA in Musical Theatre from the University of Montevallo and has been based in Atlanta pursuing film and TV. However, he’s always more than thrilled to return to the stage. Some of his favorite credits
include Stick Fly (Kent), Unto These Hills (Dancer/Dance Captain), Hairspray (Seaweed), Anansi the Spider (Anansi) and Chicago (Ensemble/Dance Captain). He was recently the theatre manager for Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival over this past summer. Lavaun just enjoys being able to tell a story unapologetically, whether it be through movement, dance, combat, or song. He would like to thank LCT for this opportunity, Alex and his friends for their endless support, and his family for always pushing him toward greatness. Lavaun would also like to send a special thank you to both of his Grandmothers Eslin Anderson and Winnifred Pryce. “Thank you both for always telling me to shoot for the stars.”