Cast/Crew Bios
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​​AJ Bellis (Jimmy Ray)
AJ is thrilled to be performing with Central Kentucky Theater for Bright Star! When not on stage, you'll find him out riding his motorcycle with his friends in the hills. He would like to thank all of his friends and family that have been so supportive of him throughout every endeavor he pursues.
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Alyssa Mattingly (Ensemble)
Alyssa is thrilled to be returning to the CKT stage! She is so thankful for this opportunity to perform with this talented cast and share this beautiful story. She would like to send a big thank you to her family and friends for all their support and a special I love you to her husband and kids for constantly making her feel like a “bright star”.
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Anna Bass (Florence)
Anna Bass is so lucky to return to Central Kentucky Theater as Florence in Bright Star. She has enjoyed her time in previous productions at CKT as Torrey in Freaky Friday and in the Ensemble of The Drowsy Chaperone. This show has a special place in her heart as it has been an obsession since seeing it for the first time in 2022 with other Bright Star fan club members Morgan, Madison and Katie. Hopefully you can start your own fan club after this beautiful production!!
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Bailey Hopper (Ensemble)
Bailey Hopper (ensemble). She loves to everything about the stage and dancing. This is her 18th show and 6th show at CKT. Ever since 1930 it hasn’t been the same between us.
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Carmel Bowman (Mama Murphy)
Carmel Bowman is absolutely thrilled to be part of Bright Star, sharing the stage with so many talented CKT members—especially her daughter, Hannah! A seasoned performer, Carmel’s theater journey spans from Centre College, to Bardstown Community Theater and the SF Drama Association, to Stage One Children's Theater. Favorite roles include Nellie Forbush (South Pacific), Queen Aggravain (Once Upon a Mattress), and Eulalie Shinn (The Music Man). She has also appeared in Floyd Collins, Dracula, and You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown. Beyond the stage, Carmel is passionate about environmental stewardship, is an active musician and is currently serving as President of the Stephen Foster Music Club. She has loved making new friends in this professionally-run theater and is grateful for the opportunity to bring this story to life.
Cass Utterback (Ensemble)
Thrilled to be making my musical debut in Bright Star with the CKT! I am excited to showcase my passion for theatre and am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of such an incredible production and community. All glory to God!
Chris Nall (Daddy Cane)
Chris is delighted to be a part of this production of Bright Star. And so enjoys working with the cast and crew. He loves his experience with CKT in the past shows he has been a part of. And would like to thank the support of his wonderful wife Shirley who also helps out CKT.
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Daniel Bannister (Director)
Daniel Bannister is an actor, director, writer, and Executive Artistic Director of Central Kentucky Theatre. Daniel has performed and taught professionally across Kentucky, Indiana, and Florida. Daniel holds a B.A. in Music from Campbellsville University (‘19). He has most recently directed "The Wacky, Weird, Wonderful Wizard of Oz" (which he also wrote) "Freaky Friday", "A Christmas Carol...More or Less", "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" and "Our Town" at CKT. Some previous performance credits include "Wadsworth" (Clue), "Warner" (Legally Blonde), "Steve/Randy/Dave" (Almost, Maine), "Farquaad" (Shrek the Musical). He is passionate about creating theatre within the vibrant and ever growing artistic community Kentucky has to offer. Daniel would like to thank each of you supporting the work of CKT and the arts in our community!
Cindy Mattingly (Costumer)
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Gene Hall (Dr. Nordquist, Ensemble)
Gene Hall is a retired Marine Corps officer, having served 24 years, and a current member of the Board of Directors of KCT. He has appeared in numerous productions at the Opera House, to include, most recently, Freaky Friday, Arsenic and Old Lace, Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, and Drowsy Chaperone. He currently lives in Lebanon, has 3 children, 9 grandchildren, and 4 great grandchildren.
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Hannah Bowman (Lucy)
Hannah steps seamlessly from her real life as a filmmaker, graphic designer and travel enthusiast to her role of North Carolina flirty editorial gatekeeper. You've seen her before on area stages as Thoroughly Modern Millie, as well as in PAC shows Mamma Mia, Sherlock Holmes, Clue and most recently, The Play That Goes Wrong. (Don't forget her other fave roles: maid #3 and Steamboat Rider #2). Hannah is thrilled to be strutting her stuff in this comedic role of Lucy!
Jakob Midgett (Max, Ensemble)
Jakob has been doing shows at CKT since he was in second grade. Jakob looks forward to everyone getting to see this show that everyone has worked so hard on. He would like to thank his Mom, Dad, and his cat hammy.
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Kelby Hammond (Choreographer, Ensemble)
Kelby Hammond is very excited to be a part of CKT's productions of Bright Star . She is a professional performer, choreographer, and teacher from Louisville, Kentucky. She graduated from Western Kentucky University in 2017 with a B.A. in Dance and a minor in Performing Arts Administration. She currently teaches dance classes for CKT’s Performing Arts Academy. She recently moved to Bardstown, Kentucky where she lives with her husband and two cats. She has performed professionally with the Stephen Foster Story in Bardstown, KY and in Memphis, TN with Tennessee Ballet Theatre and The Hot Foot Honeys Tap Dance Company. In addition to performing and teaching, she has choreographed several musicals for community and youth theaters in the region, including CKT’s productions of You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, Freaky Friday, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to The Forum, and The Drowsy Chaperone.
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Lauren Phillips (Assistant Director)
Lauren graduated from Campbellsville University in 2023 with a B.S. in Theatre Production. You may know Lauren from her work at Campbellsville University (SpongeBob: The Musical, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, others) or Central Kentucky Theatre (A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, The Drowsy Chaperone). Shoutout to Mom, Dad, Hannah, and John!
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Madison Faulkner (Margo)
Madison is very excited to for her first production with CKT! Her favorite credits include Thoroughly Modern Millie (Millie), The Addams Family (Alice), and Into the Woods (Cinderella). Madison wants to thank her friends and family for all their love and support!
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Mark Thomas (Stanford)
Mark is thrilled to be in this production. He has been in numerous plays at the Opera House, most recently The Drowsy Chaperone as the Underling. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for Central Kentucky Theatre. He would like to thank his two daughters, Cassandra and Jessica, for motivating him to get involved in theater. He resides in Lebanon with his talented wife, Diane.
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Matt Inman (Daddy Murphy)
Matt is excited to be returning to the CKT stage for his third go round. You may remember (or frightfully recall) his past performances on this stage as Jonathan Brewster in “Arsenic and Old Lace” and as Simon Stimson in “Our Town”. Normally a straight play performer, this is his first musical in over 5 years. He is excited to be taking on new challenges more than 15 years on as an actor, and sincerely thanks you all and hopes you enjoy the show!
Matthew McDougal (Mayor Dobbs)
Matthew McDougal is excited to be back on stage at The Central Kentucky Community Theater. He was last seen here as Teddy in Arsenic and Old Lace in 2024. Past credits include; Dewey Finn in School of Rock with Campbellsville University/Town Hall Productions and Albert in TheSecret Garden with The Hardin County PAC ProAM. Matthew has also performed with the KY Opera both on stage and as a soloist for community events. He lives in Elizabethtown, KY with his wife Megan, two great kids, and a couple rotten dogs.
Melissa Case (Music Director)
Melissa is principal at Lincoln Elementary Performing Arts School in Louisville. She obtained her Bachelor of Music Education at the University of Louisville and taught band and orchestra for ten years before going into administration. She has musical directed numerous Pac ProAm shows including Little Shop of Horrors, Annie Get your Gun, Grease, Into the Woods, and The Wizard of Oz. She has most recently appeared as Bird Woman in Mary Poppins and Miss Scarlet in Clue. She plays trombone with the Louisville Winds and piano at various churches. She is set to retire from education on July 1 after 30 years in education and hopes to spend more time in the theatre!
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Morgan Jessee (Ensemble)
Morgan Jessee a native of Louisville, Kentucky, graduated in 2019 from Bellarmine University receiving a Bachelors of Music with an emphasis in Voice Performance. Morgan is thrilled to be back for her fourth production with Central Kentucky Theatre! Credits include: Mama Murphy in BRIGHT STAR, Dido in Henry Purcell’s DIDO AND AENEAS, Olive’s Mom in THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE, Mrs. Meyer in FREAKY FRIDAY: A NEW MUSICAL, The Geminae in FORUM, Tris in THE DROWSY CHAPERONE, and THE STEPHEN FOSTER STORY. Much appreciation to all my friends and family who continue to support my love for the arts!
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Nicholas Hardin (Billy)
Nicholas is excited to be performing in his first leading role (at the Kentucky Classic Arts Theatre)! He has fallen deeply in love with the story of this show and hopes the audience will love the hard work and dedication this cast has put into this show!
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Olivia Coxon (Edna)
Olivia is excited to be a part of her first show at CKT! She is especially happy to be performing on the same stage as her husband, AJ Bellis. From Louisville, KY, Olivia is the costume designer at Derby Dinner Playhouse, but she got her professional start working at The Stephen Foster Story. She has a B.A. in Theatre and Cinema Performance from Asbury University. Previous acting credits include Margaret Leavitt in Silent Sky, Lysander in A Midsummer Night's Dream, the White Rabbit in Shrek the Musical, and Marian Paroo in The Music Man.
Sadie Flowers (Well Dressed Woman, Ensemble)
Sadie is excited to be doing her first show with CKT! She would like to thank the cast, crew, and directors for making her feel so welcome in this production. She’s grateful to be a part of such an amazing cast!
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Sammy Gabhart (Ensemble)
Sammy is the student Intern here at CKT and is very excited to be apart of Brightstars ensemble. Previous roles you may have seen him in at CKT include: Gleb (Anastasia) Pastry Chef/Gangster (The Drowsy Chaperone) and many many more. You can also see him as Warner in CKTs next youth production, Legally Blonde!
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