Winnie-the-Pooh Digital Playbill
Family Weekend Performance Dates: November 9 – 10 & 16 – 17, 2024
School Matinee Performance Dates: November 6 – 15, 2024
On Tour: September 9 – December 14, 2024
From the stories of A.A. Milne
Dramatized by Le Clanché du Rand
Music by Allan J. Friedman
Lyrics by A. A. Milne and Kristin Sergel
Additional Lyrics by Le Clanché du Rand
Cast
Pooh: Noah Warner
Christopher Robin, Rabbit: Cole Hintz
Piglet, Roo, Owl: Miranda Rose Blood
Eeyore, Kanga: Sydney H. Lofton
Cast & Crew Bios
MIRANDA BLOOD ROSE (Piglet, Roo, Owl)
Miranda Rose Blood is an NYC-trained stage and voice-over actor, singer, songwriter, and educator. Previous credits include Amy March in Little Women (Bristol Valley Theatre), Mae in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (The Company Theatre), and Sister Mary Leo in Nunsense (CAP21 Conservatory/ Molloy University) She would like to thank her amazing friends and family for their continuous love and support, as well as everyone at LCT for their fantastic work on Old Dry Frye and Winnie-the-Pooh.
COLE HINTZ (Christopher Robin, Rabbit)
Cole is excited to be making his Lexington Children’s Theatre debut. He recently portrayed Wadsworth in Clue: On Stage and Max Detweiler in The Sound of Music at Ozark Actors Theatre. Other favorite roles include Sergeant Trotter in The Mousetrap, Actor/Clown 1 in Ken Ludwig’s Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery, and Boy in Black Bear Island. He received his BFA in Acting from Millikin University (Go Big Blue!) He would also like to thank his friends and family for their endless support. (Website: cole-hintz.com)
SYDNEY H. LOFTON (Eeyore, Kanga)
Sydney H. Lofton is an alum of Belmont University in Nashville, TN. While in Nashville, Sydney worked with Nashville Children’s Theatre and the Belmont Repertory Company where she began performing for young audiences. Sydney came to Kentucky to work as an artist educator and actor with Kentucky Shakespeare. Selected Credits: The Woman, The Woman in Black; Juliet/Tybalt, Two Actor: Romeo and Juliet; Viola/Toby, Two Actor: Twelfth Night. In 2023, she earned Actor/Combatant status with the Society of American Fight Directors and is a recognized Consent Forward Artist by Intimacy Directors and Coordinators. Sydney is excited to join Lexington Children’s Theatre and continue bringing theatre to young people in Kentucky.
NOAH WARNER (Pooh)
Noah Warner (He/Him) is so excited to be making his debut with Lexington Children’s Theatre! Noah recently studied Vocal Performance and Dance at Northern Kentucky University. Noah also just got back from a 10-day tour in London and Scotland with Music Celebration International. Some of Noah’s favorite credits include Disney’s Freaky Friday (Wells/Senior O’Brien/Ens.), Godspell (Telly), and Chicago the Musical: In Concert (Dancer), and just did Disney’s Finding Nemo Jr. (Crush/US: Marlin) with The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati. Noah Thanks his family, friends, mentors, and the entire LCT team for constant support! @noahwarnerofficial
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
- Gabriel Slusser (Director)
- Gabriel Slusser (Musical Director)
- Miranda Rose Blood, Cole Hintz, Sydney H. Lofton, Gabriel Slusser, Noah Warner (Choreographers)
- Dawson Akers (Composer)
- Katherine Stepanek (Scenic Design)
- Marie Henderson (Costume Design)
- Kate Tayler (Stage Manager)
- Gabriel Slusser (Technical Director)
- Laika Myers (Assistant Technical Director)
- William Briggs, Laika Myers, Gabriel Slusser (Carpenters)
- Laika Myers (Properties Manager)
- Laika Myers (Charge Artist)
- William Briggs, Laika Myers, Gabriel Slusser (Scenic Painters)
- Marie Henderson (Costume Director)
- Gabriella Cortés, Emily Hampton, Marie Henderson, Missy Johnston (Costume Construction)
- Ashlee Collins, Maddi Knoettner, Rachel Ray, Chris Swanson (Front of House)
- Rhonda Bell, Lydia Rice (Educational Materials)
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)
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 Hampton (Stitcher)
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/Designer)
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.
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 (Patron Services Manager)
Maddi graduated 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!
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.
Tessa Miller (Box Office Assistant)
Tessa Miller is a recent graduate of Savannah College of Art and Design. She holds a BFA in Performing Arts and Vocal Performance. Tessa has been a part of the LCT Family since she was six years old. She is excited to work with this amazing team of artists!
Mary Ann Mullins (Bookkeeper)
Mary Ann retired a year ago from full time employment and is overjoyed to have been given the part time bookkeeper position at LCT. In her spare time, she loves to visit festivals and see her grandchildren and share in their adventures.
Laika Myers (Charge Artist / Assistant Technical Director)
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!
Rachel Ray (Managing Director)
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.
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 (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 and Outreach Manager)
Chris Swanson has 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
- Emily Hampton, Stitcher
- Marie Henderson, Costume Director
- Jeremy Kisling, Producing Artistic Director
- Maddi Knoettner, Patron Services Manager
- Caleb Lunsford, Shooting Stars Youth Theatre Assistant Director
- Tessa Miller, Box Office Assistant
- Mary Ann Mullins, Bookkeeper
- Laika Myers, Charge Artist / Assistant Technical Director
- Rachel Ray, Managing Director
- Lydia Rice, Resident Teaching Artist
- 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.
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+)
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Ball Homes
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