The Legend of John Henry Digital Playbill

This is Lavaun Lloyd Thompson‘s first time working with the Lexington Children’s Theatre and he cannot be more elated. 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 It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play (Freddie Filmore), Stick Fly (Kent), Unto These Hills (Dance Captain), Hairspray (Seaweed), and Chicago (Dance Captain). Lavaun would like to thank the LCT for this opportunity, his amazing castmates and friends for their endless support, and his family for always pushing him toward greatness. Lavaun would also like to dedicate his performance to both of his Grandmothers Eslin Anderson and Winnifred Pryce. “Thank you both for always telling me to shoot for the stars”.

Lucas is ecstatic to be sharing his LCT debut with you. You might recognize him from his voiceover work on Audible, From the San Joaquin, where he reads the chapter, "Boys from poor families." Lucas has also been a part of The Color Purple, Man #1 in Edges, and Doctor in The Tragedy of Macbeth. I hope you enjoy the performance and that you will leave with a piece of information that you can cherish in your own personal journeys. 

Krystal Pope is excited to return to Kentucky this spring for her second LCT Tour! She is an accomplished actress from Arizona who enjoys travel and she is actively involved in various entertainment ventures. Recent credits include Dove (The Conference of the Birds), Manyara (Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters), and Kendra (American Son). She is profoundly grateful for her family for always encouraging her to pursue her dreams even when they take her far from home and to the LCT team for having her back. She hopes you too enjoy journeying with her! Cheers! @kaypeaaz

Courtney Sue is so excited to be back at Lexington Children's Theatre for another tour! An Ohioan and graduate of Northern Kentucky University, some of her previous credits include Lucy in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe and Flotsam in The Little Mermaid (Lexington Children's Theatre); Molly and Actor/Technician in Unto These Hills (Cherokee Historical Association); Assistant Technical Director with Dracula: The Failings of Men (Havoc Movement Company/CHA); PSM and Burning Girl in The Lost Colony (Roanoke Island Historical Association). She would like to thank her mom, her dad, and loved ones (near and far, human and animal) for their support and everyone at LCT for making it such a wonderful place to work! Much love!

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.

Ashlee began her journey with the theatre in 2014 as an arts administration intern. You may have also 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 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!

Ashlee welcomes heartfelt conversations about the impact theatre can make and how members of our community can work together to make a better world for our young people. 

Shelbea Fordham is a graduate of Samford University. Recently she made her Italian debut with OperaViva! and performed at St Paul's Cathedral with the Cathedra Church of the Advent Choir. Credits include The Magic Flute (Papagena), Something Rotten! (Bea), Pirates of Penzance (Kate), and Cabaret (Fraulein Kost, Kit Kat Girl).

Hannah Fyffe is an Arts Administration Major at the University of Kentucky. She is also minoring in both Spanish and Studio Art. Hannah loves working with and exploring all art forms and mediums. Her many hobbies include roller skating, thrifting, collaging, and learning!

Dani’s journey with LCT started in the education department in 2015 and has continued through various roles over the years. Dani is immensely grateful to have the opportunity to serve the incredible young people in this community. Dani’s ultimate goal as an artist is to inspire young people to be the best artists and humans they can be.

Emily graduated from the University of Kentucky with a BA in Theatre in 2020. She is passionate about costuming and the fiber arts! 

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!

Samantha is working at LCT as an intern in the administration department. Even though she will only be working here for a few months, she is excited to be here.

Helen Killius has been a part of LCT since August 2021. She is a 2021 graduate of University of Kentucky and is excited to help create compelling stories for audiences in Lexington and beyond.

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.

Erin received her BA in Dramatic Arts from Centre College and her MFA in Dramatic Media from the University of Georgia. Erin is a published children's book illustrator and is developing her series of early readers, early graphic novels, and picture books as a writer and illustrator.

GraceAnne graduated from Centre College in 2012 with a BS in Philosophy/Fine Arts. She worked as a technical director, designer, and scenic painter before moving to North Carolina to complete her MFA in Scenic Art/Education at UNCSA in 2021.

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 three 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 Central Kentucky.

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.

Liz, born and raised in Georgia, graduated from Columbus State University with her B.S. in Theatre Education. She has worked in many areas of theatre, including lighting, directing, and acting. Liz is excited to start her career in theatre education at Lexington Children’s Theatre!

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!

Fond of all things arts, Ian has been involved in theatre in some capacity for most of his life. He is currently a student studying Design and hopes to carry that forward into his work with theatre. He is also the father of an orange kitten named Toes Beans!

Corporate

Platinum Circle ($20,000+)
Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky in Georgetown, Visitlex

Gold Circle ($10,000-19,999)
Baptist Health,Central Bank & Trust Co., Central Bank & Trust Co. Employees, Fifth Third Bank Employees, LG&E and KU Energy LLC, Lexington Trots Breeders, Association LLC

Silver Circle ($5,000-9,999)
Alltech, Bluegrass Sotheby’s International, Caller Properties, LLC, Fifth Third Foundation, Gray Construction Employees, Hilliard Lyons, Kentucky American Water Co., Kentucky Bank, LFUCG Employees, Messer Construction Employees, Stoll Keenon Ogden PLLC, University of Kentucky Federal Credit Union, Valvoline

Bravo Circle ($2,500-4,999)
Bingham Greenebaum Doll, Blue & Co., LLC, Brett Construction Company, Columbia Gas of Kentucky, Commerce Lexington Employees, Crowe Horwath LLP, Dean Dorton Allen Ford Employees, Dinsmore & Shohl Employees, Lexington Legends, Messer Construction Company, Pin Oak Stud, PNC Bank Employees, The Lane Report*, Vanmeter Sales, Wyatt Tarrant & Combs, LLP

Patron’s Circle ($1,000-2,499)
Blue & Co. Employees, Commerce Lexington, Crowe Horwath Foundation, Davis & Plomin Mechanical, Dean Dorton Allen Ford, PLLC, Delta Dental of Kentucky, Dinsmore & Shohl, LLP, S. Barr & Company, EOP Architects, Fasig-Tipton Company, Inc., Highbridge Spring Water Co., Keeneland Association, LexArts Employees, Lexington Children’s Theatre Employees, Lexington Quarry Company, Mountjoy Chilton Medley, LLP, National Thoroughbred Racing Association Employees, Neogen Corporation, Portofino, Powell Walton Milward, A Marsh & McLennan Agency LLC Company, Raymond James Financial, Inc., Rosenstein Development, Stites & Harbison Employees, Tate Hill Jacobs: Architects, Inc., Tri-State Roofing & Sheet Metal, Whole Foods, Wyatt Tarrant & Combs Employees

Arts Advocate ($500-999)
21c Museum Hotels, 859print, Able Engine Apex Realty, Inc, Atchison Heller Construction, Azur Restaurant and Patio/Brasabana Cuban Cuisine/Dupree Catering + Events, Bank of the Bluegrass and Trust., BC Wood Properties, Bluefire Capital  Clay Ingels Company, LLC, Community Trust Bank, DaRae & Friends Catering*, Fitzsimons Office of Architecture, Gess, Mattingly & Atchison Attorneys, Godolphin, Hinkle Studio*, JPMorgan Chase & Co, Kentucky Blood Center, Keystone Financial Employees, Landrum & Shouse, Lexington Herald-Leader, LexTran Employees, NAI Isaac Commercial Properties, Netgain Employees Nicholson Insurance Agency, Nomi Inc., Omni Architects, Padgett Construction, Inc., Serafini, Space Center Storage, Stoll Keenon Ogden Employees, Sweet Turns, The Webb Companies, Windstream, Traditional Bank

Individuals

Ovation Society ($2,500-4,999)
Tom and Susie Bell, Luther Deaton, James and Suzanne Elliott, Harold and Rebecca** Faulconer, Walter L. Gross, Stephen and Robin Jennings, Bruce and Jeannette Lucas, Chad Rudzik, Jason and Julie Sims, Jim Stokes and Jo Ann Czekalski, Robert and Ruth Straus

President’s Circle($1,000-2,499)
James C. Albisetti, Ann Bakhaus, Heather Barron, Robert and Judith Baumann, Mark and Laura Boison, Anne E. Bolton, Edward and Sherri Bullard, William and Ellen Chapman, John and Jill Cioci, Jim Clark and Don Granger, Julia and Timothy Costich, Norwood and Judy Cowgill, Chuck and Susan Creacy, Lisle & Katherine V. Dalton, Robert Elliston, Meredith Lane Ferguson, William Fortune, John L. Gohmann, James P. Gray, Gina Greathouse, Richard Greissman and Randolph Hollingsworth, Gail Hart and Dan Featherston, D. and Laura Hieronymus, Hilary Boone Foundation, Phillip and Nancy Hoffman, Stephanie Hong, Lane Charitable Foundation, William and Vange Lear, Anthony Burgett and William Loggins, Richard and Sue Masson, Steve and Cindy Matherly, Brian McCarty, Michael & Catherine Mills, Allen Norvell, Albert Pennybacker, Robert E. Putt, Michael and Gloria Rie, Doug and Melanie Roederer, Rob Rosenstein, Marion Rust, Marilyn Robie and Arthur Shechet, Andrea Schaefer, David Smith, Jim Spencer and Nan Plummer, Franklin D. Thompson, Ellen Tunnell, John Van Meter, Griffin and Sarah Wylie Van Meter, George M. VanMeter, Jr., Jayne and Alex Waldrop, Tracee Whitley, Harvie and Nellie Wilkinson, Rebecca and Greg Yeary, Chris and Josefine Young

Arts Advocate ($500-999)
Farra and Katie Alford, Janet Beard, Lynda Bebrowsky, Perry & Kristen Bentley, Bill Bernard, Tom and Cindy Bloch, Robert and Kelly Brewer, Robert and Bonnie Briggs, Brent Bruner and Matthew Carter, Eli and Mary Lynne Capilouto, Jeff and Lora Carter, Julie and Kerry Cauthen, Richard and Lisa Circeo, Tim and Debby Coleman, Tim and Marcia P. Cone, Craig L. Daniels, Larry and Martha Deener, Mark and Laura DelCotto, David and Melanie Dowell, Ben and Laura Eubank, David and Wendi Foley, Beverly Fortune, David and Katherine Gardner, Jill Gookin, Linda and Charles Gorton, Tyler Gossett, Astarré Gudino, Gerry and Cassie Harpel, Phyllis R. Hasbrouck, Georgia Henkel, Debra Hensley, Barry and Billie Hickey, Rose Hieronymous, April M. Howard, Christine and Michael Huskisson, Larry and Jan Isenhour, David and Katherine Johnson, Daniel and Erin Jones, Allison Kaiser, Roni Karbach, Edward and Mary Kasarskis, William Kyle, Nathan and Blair Lee, Joel and Tomoka Logan, Bob and Betty Lorch, Alison Macadam, Marc and Gwen Mathews, Jeff and Jayne McCann, Margaret McDuffie, Carol McLeod, Emily Meek, Jason D. Miller, Robert and Eleanor Milward, Michael and Robin Morrill, Becky Neal Ochenkoski, Frank and Rita Penn, Daniel and Angela Poposki, Martha Peterson and Brett Spear, Gregory Pettit, Kathy and John Plomin, David W. Richard, James and Yvonne Rickard, Joanna Rodes, David and Diane Rudder, Jack and Carol Russell, Billy Spickard and Janet, Scheeline, Jody Shoup, Melanie Simpson-Halpin, Larry and Vivian Snipes, Maury Sparrow and Craig Wahlgren, Robert Stadelman, Joshua R. Stephenson, John Stewart and Magdalene Karon, Harvey Sword, Tom Cheek and Fran Taylor, William W. and Barbara Thomason, Barbara S. Tilghman, Martha and Bobby Trussell, Lucy Ferguson VanMeter, Dorothy H. Clark and Woody VanMeter, Billy Van Pelt, II, John and Jacqueline Van Willigen, Derek Vaughan, Art and Lisa Walker, Luke Hodges and Tom Wallace, Mary-Alicha & Brian Weldon, Kyle William, Robert L. Williams, Willy Brown and Eddie Woods, Nathan Zamarron

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