Family Weekend Performance Dates: February 10-11, 2024

School Matinee Performance Dates: February 8-16, 2024

On Tour: January 20 – May 4, 2024

Adapted for Lexington Children’s Theatre by Larry and Vivian Snipes

Based on The Cow Who Wouldn’t Come Down, The Pig who Ran a Red Light, and The Goose Who Went Off in a Huff

Written and illustrated by Paul Brett Johnson

Cast

Actor One (Magnolia the Goose, Ringmaster, others) Henry Veon
Actor Two (George the Pig, Garganzola the Gorilla, others) Matthew Climbingbear
Actor Three (Gertrude the Cow, Dotty Sue the Chicken, Bobo the Elephant, others) Lavaun Lloyd Thompson
Miss Rosemary Coryn King

Cast & Crew Bios

Matthew Climbingbear graduated from Guilford College with a degree in Theatre and Film. Some of his more recent shows were as follows: The Gathering Tour (Tsali, Junaluska/Tecumseh), and Unto These Hills (Junaluska), and Virus: The Musical (Director/Writer). He’s seeking to further his education soon. Outside of theatre, you’ll find him playing ukulele, singing with his brother’s two person band, or drawing his fellow cast mates. And he can’t wait to Oink his way through Keeping Mr. Lincoln and wear his top hat for Cows Don’t Fly!

 

Coryn King is very excited to be performing with Lexington Children’s Theatre. A recent graduate of Oklahoma City University, credits include Waiter in She Loves Me (Oklahoma City University), Public Opinion in Orpheus in the Underworld (Oklahoma City University), Lucy in Dracula (Hidden Gem Entertainment), and Steward in The Polar Express Train Ride (Rail Events Inc.). She also rocked the stage at Cedar Point as a Lead Singer and Electric Guitarist in the Toes in the Sand Band. In her free time, she enjoys singing and playing guitar. She hopes you enjoy the show!

Lavaun Lloyd Thompson is excited to return to LCT for his second 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). 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.”

Henry Veon originally hails from LaGrange, GA, but most recently earned a BFA in Theatre Performance from Columbus State University. Some of his most recent credits include Sweat (Jason), Circle, Mirror, Transformation (James), Junie B. Jones in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells (Sheldon), and A Midsummer Night's Dream (Demetrius). He is incredibly grateful for this opportunity to perform for Lexington, and he would like to thank his supportive friends and family as well as his amazing girlfriend, Jordan, for their belief in him.

 

Henry Veon originally hails from LaGrange, GA, but most recently earned a BFA in Theatre Performance from Columbus State University. Some of his most recent credits include Sweat (Jason), Circle, Mirror, Transformation (James), Junie B. Jones in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells (Sheldon), and A Midsummer Night's Dream (Demetrius). He is incredibly grateful for this opportunity to perform for Lexington, and he would like to thank his supportive friends and family as well as his amazing girlfriend, Jordan, for their belief in him.

 

Henry Veon originally hails from LaGrange, GA, but most recently earned a BFA in Theatre Performance from Columbus State University. Some of his most recent credits include Sweat (Jason), Circle, Mirror, Transformation (James), Junie B. Jones in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells (Sheldon), and A Midsummer Night's Dream (Demetrius). He is incredibly grateful for this opportunity to perform for Lexington, and he would like to thank his supportive friends and family as well as his amazing girlfriend, Jordan, for their belief in him.

 

Special Thanks

Production Staff Credits

Jeremy Kisling (Director)

Based on the works of Paul Brett Johnson (Scenic Design)

Eric Abele (Costume Design)

Kate Tayler (Stage Manager)

Gabriel Slusser (Technical Director)

Laika Myers (Assistant Technical Director)

Laika Myers, Gabriel Slusser (Carpenters)

Laika Myers (Charge Artist)

GraceAnne Miles, Laika Myers (Scenic Painter)

GraceAnne Miles (Properties Manager)

GraceAnne Miles, Laika Myers, Gabriel Slusser (Properties Construction)

Marie Henderson (Costume Shop Manager)

Martha Campbell, Gabriella Cortés, Emily Hampton, Marie Henderson, Missy Johnston, Vivian Snipes (Costume Construction)

Maddi Knoettner (Front of House Manager)

Maddi Knoettner, Makenzie Shimko (Box Office)

Samuel M. Acosta, Rhonda Bell (Educational Materials)

Staff Bios

Eric is a Lecturer of Costume Design at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. He earned his MFA in costume design at the University of Tennessee. Eric worked full-time for LCT on and off from 2003 to 2014, designing costumes, puppets, scenery and/or props for over fifty productions. In his spare time Eric enjoys yoga, traveling, reading, or playing with his ever-growing menagerie of animals.

Samuel M. Acosta is a recent graduate of Cedarville University, having received his BA in Theatre with a concentration in performance, along with a minor in Theatre design. His favorite show he's ever worked on is when he directed Eleemosynary.

Rhonda is excited to continue her journey at LCT as Education Director. She holds an MA in Theatre from the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa and a BA from Berea College. Rhonda enjoys driving her car, watching cartoons, and having lively debates with her students.

Tavia has worked hard over the last 19 years to bring children’s theatre to Eastern Kentucky. She believes strongly that all children have the ability to be creative and through that creativity will discover the gifts they possess. She would like to thank LCT and the W. Paul and Lucille C. Little Foundation!

Heather is overjoyed to be back at LCT after an artistic odyssey spanning from "The Little Apple" of Manhattan, KS to "The Second City" of Chicago. She earned a Master of Arts from University of Kentucky and serves on the KPW board. Heather dedicates this season to Eddy and Huckleberry.

Since completing LCT’s Arts Administration internship in 2015, Ashlee has worked with theatres all over the country, including Chicago Children’s Theatre, Lifeline Theatre, and most notably, with Broadway in Chicago as a marketing assistant during the first National Tour of Disney’s Aladdin!

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. 

Kathryn started with LCT in 2015 as an Arts Administration Intern, became a full-time staff member in 2016, and since then has held a few different positions, most recently Director of Marketing and Analytics. Thanks to the LCT Family for all your love and support over the years!

Welcome to LCT! We want this to be your theatre, a place where you feel empowered, enriched, and emboldened. I am so honored and humbled to work with such amazing and talented artists and individuals every day! Thank you for being here, for your support, and for being a part of the LCT Family.

Maddi is a recent college graduate from the University of Kentucky with a degree in Communication Studies. She is a 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!

Laika Myers is a recent graduate from Bowling Green State University where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Communication with a focus in Design and Technical Theatre. Laika is super excited to join the Lexington Children's Theatre team and to share her passion for theatre with them!

Rachel has a BA in English and a BS in Speech Therapy from U.K.  In her free time, she likes to hang out with her husband, Bobby, and their dogs, read, run, and craft. She is a founding board member of First-Generation Women Achievers of the Bluegrass and a proud volunteer and board member for Girls on the Run.

Gabriel has worked throughout the southeast in positions ranging from sound engineer to lead electrician to shop foreman at theatres including Titusville Playhouse, Inc., Georgia Ensemble Theatre, and Buford Community Center. As LCT’s Technical Director, he facilitates the implementation of all scenic, lighting, audio, and projection elements for their season.

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 is very excited to continue sharing her love for stage management and for theatre for young audiences to LCT!

LCT Professional Staff

Samuel M. Acosta, Education Associate

Rhonda Bell, Education Director 

Octavia Biggs, Program Director of Shooting Stars Youtheatre

Heather N. Branham, Resident Director / Company Manager

Ashlee Collins, Development Director 

Marie Henderson, Costume Director

Kathryn Henriques, Director of Marketing and Analytics

Jeremy Kisling, Producing Artistic Director

Maddi Knoettner, Patron Services Manager

Laika Myers, Assistant Technical Director / Charge Artist

Rachel Ray, Managing Director

Makenzie Shimko, Box Office Assistant

Gabriel Slusser, Technical Director

Chris Swanson, Sales and Outreach Manager

Kate Tayler, Resident Stage Manager 

Indigenous peoples have lived on the land now called Kentucky for at least 12,000 years. Every community owes its existence and heritage to generations from around the world who contributed their hopes, dreams, and stories to making the history that led to this moment. Indigenous peoples have always lived on the land that is now called Kentucky and continue to live here today. The place we now call Kentucky is primarily Shawnee, Cherokee, Chickasaw, and Osage land.

A commonly cited claim many of us heard in history class growing up is that this region was merely a hunting ground. This claim is a myth, perpetuated at first by land speculators who wished to improve land sales, and still today to absolve settler colonists and their descendants from grappling with their history of land theft, genocide, and white supremacy. The continuation of this myth is harmful for all of us.

Lexington Children’s Theatre is committed to creating an environment where everyone feels welcome to enjoy the magic of theatre. Learn more about Audio Description, ASL Interpretation, Sensory Friendly Performance, and Pre-Visit Resources by following the link below.

ACCESS at LCT

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Imagine if all 100,000+ people LCT serves a year made a $10 donation every year. That would cover more than 95% of LCT's operating expenses and bring the cost of our classes and shows WAY down. If you share our passion for arts education and want to support our mission, please consider making a donation of any size to our Annual Campaign. Learn more about LCT's Annual Campaign by visiting https://www.lctonstage.org/support-us/give-online/ or by emailing our Development Director, Ashlee Collins, at acollins@lctonstage.org.

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When you become a member, you’re a part of our LCT Family and the work we do to bring theatre to young people and families across the Commonwealth and beyond! You’re also getting the opportunity to see professional, imaginative theatre at an affordable price. 

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Arts Partner ($300-499)
Glenn and Lisa Acree, Shevawn Akers, Sandra and Sanford Archer, Robert Arrasmith, Wanda Bertram, Carl and Barbara E. Boyer, Diane Boyer, Diane Brunn, Jeff Davis and Nancy Carpenter, John Morgan and Linda Carroll, Jim and Betty Cecil, Joseph Coleman, Glenda Creech, Rebecca Ann Davis, Thomas Young and Fiona Doherty, Nicky and Cara Drion, Letha Drury, Luke and Nancy Fallon, Barbara Farrell, John L. and Dianna Flanagan, Thomas Flanigan, Guy and Terry Graves, Curtis C. and Linda Green, Elias Gross, Lucy Hamilton, Paula C. Hanson, Ted and Katie Hardwick, Bill Betz and Susan G. Harkins, Xavier Hassert, Laura Ann Hayden, Lon and Ann Hays, Marie Houlihan, Leo and Vickie Hugenberg, Tobin Jenkins, Christina Keeling, John and Linda Kelver, Jon Kostelic, Dean Langdon, Wayne and Susan Lucas, Heather Lyons, Phyllis Macadam, Valerie Marshall, Everett and Alicia McCorvey, Sarah K. Mills, Grahmn Morgan, Bruce Nicol, Brett Nolan, Ted and Anne Clay Oldham, Jeremy Parker, Lois Anne Polan, Daisy Pulito, Kevin Pulsfort, Robert L. Quick, Michelle Reid, Mark Richardson, TJ and Mary Richardson, Mark T. Ruddell, Arturo Alonzo Sandoval, Kate Savage, Theodore Schatzki, Laura Schweitzer, Louise H. Shouse, Susan L. Simmons, Reginald Smith, Roger and Lynsey Sugarman, David Teuschler, Joyce Trivette, Craig and Madonna Turner, James C. and Marium VanMeter, Laurance B. VanMeter, Randall and Peggy Vaughn, Rick and Marla Ward, Rachel White, J.David and Susan Whitehouse, Rebecca Wichard, Kathryn Wilson, Jeff Woods, Isabel M. Yates, Julia C. Young

*In-Kind

**Deceased

Major Contributors

The Kentucky Arts Council, the state arts agency, supports Lexington Children’s Theatre with state tax dollars and federal funding from the National Endowment for the Arts.

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