Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star Digital Playbill
Family Weekend Performance Dates: May 4 & 10 – 11, 2025
School Matinee Performance Dates: April 30 – May 9, 2025
By Ernie Nolan
Cast
Sparkle: Amoni Adair
Glimmer: Kelli Jo Summers
Cast Bios
AMONI ADAIR (Sparkle) was born and raised here in Lexington, KY. Aside from performing for young audiences, you can find her enjoying time with family, volunteering at Crossroads, or getting involved at the Lyric Theatre and Cultural Arts Center.
KELLI JO SUMMERS (Glimmer) Kelli Jo Summers is a performing and teaching artist from Lexington, Kentucky. Favorite roles include Sister Sophia (The Sound of Music), Audrey (Little Shop of Horrors), and Miss Honey (Matilda). When not performing, Kelli Jo is a teaching artist at Town and Village School of Dance (Paris, KY) and The Lexington Theatre Company.
Special Thanks
Dr. John Denison DDS; HighBridge Spring Water; Sally Horowitz, Sally Horowitz Photography; 3M Cynthiana; Copy Express; Bobby Taylor; Matthew Snoddy, Network Therapists, Inc.; Pro Sound and Lights; Transylvania University Theater Department; University of Kentucky Department of Theatre and Dance; Mahan Multimedia; University of Louisville, Centre College; The Lexington Legends
Production Staff Credits
- Jeremy Kisling (Director)
- Jeremy Kisling (Scenic Design)
- Jeremy Kisling (Lighting Design)
- Marie Henderson (Costume Design)
- Kate Tayler (Stage Managers)
- Gabriel Slusser (Technical Director)
- Laika Myers (Assistant Technical Director)
- Forrest Loeffler (Properties Manager)
- Tessa Franklin, Forrest Loeffler, Laika Myers, Gabriel Slusser, Delaney Walton (Carpenters)
- Laika Myers (Charge Artist)
- Tessa Franklin, Forrest Loeffler, Laika Myers, Gabriel Slusser, Delaney Walton (Scenic Painters)
- Marie Henderson (Costume Shop Manager)
- Emily Hampton, Marie Henderson, Haberlin Roberts (Costume Construction)
Staff Bios
RHONDA BELL (Education Director) 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.
OCTAVIA BIGGS (Director of Shooting Stars Youtheatre) 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 N. BRANHAM (Resident Director/Company Manager) 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 COLLINS (Development Director) Returning home this season is Ashlee Collins. 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!
DANI GARNER (Education Associate) Dani’s journey with LCT started in education 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 HAMPTON (Costume Artist) Emily graduated from the University of Kentucky with a BA in Theatre in 2020. She is passionate about costuming and the fiber arts!
MARIE HENDERSON (Costume Director) Marie’s experience with LCT, and theatre altogether, began with a walk on roll at the age of 9. She is delighted to have closed the circle of her theatrical experience by coming “home” to LCT as a staff member.
JAIME HURT (Marketing and Sales Director) With over 20 years in arts marketing, Jaime connects communities through storytelling and creative collaboration. As Marketing and Sales Director at LCT, she captures moments that make theatre magical for children and families, expanding access to engaging, immersive experiences while embracing the joy of bringing stories to life.
JEREMY KISLING (Producing Artistic Director) 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 KNOETTNER (Communications Manager) llege 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!
FORREST LOEFFLER (Technical Associate) Forrest Loeffler is from Lexington, he has a BFA in Acting from Illinois Wesleyan University, and is currently Kentucky Chautauqua’s Abraham Lincoln performer. He has worked with Leeds Center for the Arts, Woodford Theatre, Adventure Theatre, Pioneer Playhouse, Athens West, and is happy to have added LCT to that list!
CALEB LUNSFORD (Shooting Stars Youth Theatre Assistant Director) Caleb is a teacher, painter, and arts education enthusiast from Harrodsburg, Kentucky. A graduate of Morehead State University, he is passionate about children’s theatre; striving to provide an outlet for creative expression. With a history in youth-based creative programs he aims to curate a safe space to learn and grow.
LAIKA MYERS (Charge Artist/Assistant Technical Director) 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!
LYDIA RICE (Resident Teaching Artist) As a Columbus State University graduate, Lydia has directed, choreographed, and taught all ages by working at Rose Theatre and the Alliance Theatre. She believes theatre inspires creativity, teaches life skills, and helps students reach their fullest potential. She loves connecting with students at LCT and watching them shine.
GABRIEL SLUSSER (Technical Director) 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.
CHRIS SWANSON (Sales Administrator) been a theatre professional for the past 25 years. She is very excited to be joining the staff at LCT. She earned her MA and BA in Theatre and Communications from Morehead State. Her past credits include Bat Boy the musical and Book of Days.
KATE TAYLER (Resident Stage Manager) 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.
LCT Professional Staff
- Rhonda Bell, Education Director
- Octavia Biggs, Program Director of Shooting Stars Youtheatre
- Heather N. Branham, Resident Director / Company Manager
- Ashlee Collins, Development Director
- Dani Garner, Education Associate
- Emily Hampton, Costume Artist
- Marie Henderson, Costume Director
- Jaime Hurt, Marketing and Sales Director
- Jeremy Kisling, Producing Artistic Director
- Maddi Knoettner, Communications Manager
- Forest Loeffler, Technical Associate
- Caleb Lunsford, Shooting Stars Youth Theatre Assistant Director
- Mary Ann Mullins, Bookkeeper
- Laika Myers, Charge Artist / Assistant Technical Director
- Lydia Rice, Resident Teaching Artist
- Haberlin Roberts, Costume Artist
- Gabriel Slusser, Technical Director
- Chris Swanson, Sales Administrator
- 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.
LCT’s Annual Campaign
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.
Thank you to our 2023-2024 Donors
Supernova ($1,500+)
BGCF’s Good Giving Challenge Matching Funds
The Rouse Family Foundation Inc.
Giant Star ($1,000-$1,499)
Anonymous Donors
Ball Homes
Carrie Thayer and David Cardwell
Jim and Stacey Richardson
Linda Slagel
Amy and Hunter Stout
Shooting Star ($500-$999)
Anonymous Donors
Lexington Event Company
Joseph-Beth Booksellers
Beth Anne Akers
Gay B Hill
Rosetta Jordan in honor of Shirley Noel
Bo and Pam Ryser
The Sisler Family
The Stiff Family
Shining Star ($250-$499)
Anonymous Donors
Kroger Community Rewards Program
Unison Insurance Group
Vescio’s Sportsfields
Laura Hayden and John van Nagell
Jordan Miller
Jen Mooney
Lance Piecoro
Melia Boyson Schmidt
Cheryl and Bobby Taylor
Rising Star ($100-$249)
Anonymous Donors
A. Bass
Jane Bowen
Candra Bryant
Bylund Family
Melissa and Larry Collins
Dr. & Mrs. J. Randall Dennison
J. Steven and Deborah Glaza
Kim and John Glenney
Richard and Mary Beth Griffith
Chris Heinz
Matt Hemenway
Henry and Patricia Jackson
Breck & Joy Johnson
Bill and Carol Kelsey
Wyatt and Ethan Milner
Jayme Olson
Danielle Parker
Daisy Richardson
Annaleigh Sosbe
Marcie Timmerman
The Stiff Family
Pam J. Walker in memory of Rebecca Rietze
The Viles Family
Vickie McDaniel, Volland Family, Claudia Newman, & Heather Schreck
Ruth and Don Willoughby
Angene and Jack Wilson
William and Margie Wilson
Michelle nd Steve Wrightson
Our Major Contributors
