Matilda the Musical at Leeds Center for the Arts

Welcome to LeedsCenterfortheArts!

Welcome back to Leeds Center for the Arts! We are thrilled to have you here for our season opener, Matilda! This is our favorite kind of showone that creates opportunity for performers of all ages. This particular cast and crew have made our process and product delightful, and we’re thrilled that you’ve shown up as the final and most important ingredient!

As we kick off our “Season of Stories,” we continue to be grateful for our patrons, volunteers, performers, creative teams, donors, board and staff. Their support and service help us make our productions, concerts, arts education programs, and youth leadership opportunities a reality. There is a role for everyone in our dramatic success story, and we invite you to consider which one you’d like to play this season: audience member, subscriber, donor, volunteer, or sponsor.

When it comes to engaging and inspiring our community through the arts, there are no small parts; every contribution is invaluable. No matter which role you choose, we hope you will continue to help us bring great art to Clark County and the region, this season and beyond!

y J Producer Winchester Council for the Arts

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Stuff Recycling

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SPOTLIGHT ON EDUCATION SPARK

Our arts education program is LIVE! Check out our current offerings in music, acting, and dance!

Visit our website to see our new Fall lineup!

YOUTH BOARD

The Leeds Youth Advisory Board consists of highly motivated high school leaders from the greater Winchester area. It meets biweekly to work on arts-based projects, strengthen leadership skills through seminars, and enhance the greater community through enrichment opportunities.

Visit our website for more information.

SCHOLARSHIPS

We work hard to make the arts accessible for all, and want to give youth the tools they need to succeed in arts - based higher education and careers.

We offer two scholarship funds: The Gordon Liddle Fund for private arts instruction, and the Vanessa Rogers Fund for arts higher education.

Visit our website for more information.

Lauren Mink

Clark County Farm Bureau Insurance proudly supports

Roald Dahl's Matilda

The Musical

Book

by Dennis Kelly

Music and Lyrics by Tim

Minchin

Orchestrations and Additional Music by Chris Nightingale

"Matilda was first commissioned and produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company and premiered at The Courtyard Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, England on 9 November 2010. It transferred to the Cambridge Theatre in the West End of London on 25 October 2011 and received its US premiere at the Shubert Theatre, Broadway, USA on 4 March 2013"

ROALD DAHL'S MATILDA THE MUSICAL

Is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www mtishows com

Matilda

CAST

Miss Trunchbull..........................................................................................................Alice Jones

Miss Honey........................................................................................................Kelli Jo Summers

Mr. Wormwood................................................................................................Jesse Hungerford

Mrs. Wormwood.....................................................................................................Elena Guerra

Michael Wormwood.........................................................................................Tommy Flanigan

Mrs. Phelps..........................................................................................................Madeline Smith

Bruce..........................................................................................................................Reilly Dalton

Lavender.......................................................................................................Patton Barlow-Fiero

Rudolpho..............................................................................................................Kieshaun Butts

The Acrobat..............................................................................................................Amari Gilkey

The Escapologist........................................................................................................Jacob Ernst

Doctor....................................................................................................................Jackson Becker

Sergei.........................................................................................................................Gates Smyth

Amanda Thripp................................................................................................Emerson Kincaid

Nigel.....................................................................................................................Nicholas Wilson

Eric................................................................................................................................Foster Holt

Alice......................................................................................................................Taylinn Dickens

Hortensia............................................................................................................Tenlee Simpson

Tommy..................................................................................................................Brody Schmieg

Children's Entertainer...........................................................................................John Lawwill

Ensemble:

Phoenix Berryman, Cricket Brown, Sylvie Coogle, Silas Cornette, Amari Gilkey, Emma Hatcher, Sadie Hess, Katherine Kennedy, John Lawwill, Gates Smyth, Jalisa Suter, Ava VanMeter

Understudies: (understudies do not perform unless announced)

Amari Gilkey (Miss Honey), Gates Smyth (Mr. Wormwood), Emma Hatcher (Mrs. Wormwood), Katherine Kennedy (Mrs. Phelps), Sylvie Coogle (Youth Swing), Ava VanMeter (Youth Swing)

Creative team

Directors................................................................................Steve Crosby, Ellie Miller

Music Director..........................................................................................Steve Crosby

Choreographer..............................................................................................Ellie Miller

Producer.....................................................................................................Tracey Miller

Stage Management.........................................................Marilyn Hosey, Tessa Miller

Lighting Design........................................................................................Becki Yarrow

Sound Design........................................................Adam Schoedinger, Nathan Smith

Scenic Design.........................................................Lawrence Buckland, James Miller

Costume Design...........................................................Mary Kate Knight, Ellie Miller

Scenic Painting.................................................................................Grace Anne Miles

Prop Design.............................................................................................Brian Elligson

Dialect Coach......................................................................................Madeline Smith

Board Operator............................................................................................Zach Ross

Dresser................................................................................................Katherine Berner

Wig Design........................................................................Tammy Knight, Pam Gullick

Headshot Photography.......................................................................Rebecca Ashby

Production Photography..............................................Sally Horowitz Photography

Special Thanks.............Mary Grashel, Karyn Czar, Vicki Hurst, Chelsea Schmieg, Shaquita Brown, Olivia Davis, Sasha Holt, Alicia Wilson, Lexington Children's Theatre, Irene Burnett, Sylvie Coogle, Zach Ross, Alice Jones, Cicely Dore, Margaret Neely, Rachel Newton, Marielena Castellanos

Orchestra

Trevor Carl (Percussion), Allison Colvin (Piano), David Lin (Violin), Benjamin Lin (Violin), Cameron Spicer (Guitar), Anna Watrous (Cello)

Meet the Cast

Cricket Brown - Ensemble

Cricket is thrilled to be returning to the Leeds stage! Cricket is an incoming junior at Western Hills High School and an incoming freshman at Bluegrass Community & Technical College. Some of their past performances include Peter and the Starcatcher (Mack), Mean Girls (Ensemble), and Beauty and the Beast (Silly Person). Most recently, they just spent three weeks participating in Governor’s School for the Arts for musical theatre. They hope you sit back, relax and enjoy the show!

Patton Barlow-Fiero - Lavender

Patton Barlow-Fiero, Lavender, is a rising 6th grade Drama Major and Literary Arts Minor at SCAPA Bluegrass. Previous roles include Lucy in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Nurse in The Secret Garden, and most recently was understudy for Brigitta/Louisa and performing youth apprentice in the Lexington Theatre Company’s The Sound of Music When not on stage, you could find this “maggot” in a dance studio, or humming/singing without awareness, or doing something related to interior or graphic design, or providing ridiculous comedic relief to any situation. (Sometimes all of those things at the same time).

She would like to thank Steve and Ellie for allowing her this opportunity and is thrilled to be making her Leeds debut!

Jackson Becker - Doctor / Cook

Jackson Becker is so thrilled to return to the Leeds Center for the Arts stage in this production. His previous credits include: Uncle Fester (The Addams Family: The Musical), Smee (Peter and the Starcatcher), and Trent Oliver (The Prom). When he isn’t on stage, Jackson loves spending time with his family, friends, and his two cats Mateo and Matilda. He also wants to thank Elena Guerra for everything she does!

Phoenix Berryman - Ensemble

Phoenix is excited to join the cast of Matilda as a member of the ensemble. He loves acting, and has most recently played in GRC's Bright Star, The Wizard of Oz, James and the Giant Peach, and Frozen Additionally, he sings in the men’s choir, and plays brass in the GRC Marching band, a 2022 KY Finalist, and was selected as a member of District Honors Band 2023. He enjoys online gaming, hanging out with friends, and caring for his Chihuahua, Roscoe. He would like to thank you for coming and hopes you enjoy the show.

Harper Raquel Cecil - Matilda

Harper is thrilled to be performing in her second show with Leeds. Harper is in 5th grade and has performed in The Lion King KIDS, School House Rock Live, Willy Wonka KIDS, The Addams Family YP, Frozen KIDS, and various recitals and musical reviews. Outside of theater, Harper dances and plays tennis and the violin. She enjoys spending time with friends and creating with her art supplies. She would like to thank everyone at Leeds for making this such a great experience, especially Mr. Steve. She would like to thank her sister because Hallee is the reason she got into theater. Hallee did it, and Harper wanted to be just like her.

She would also like to thank Avery for being such a great Matilda and friend and her parents for all their support.

Sylvie Coogle - Ensemble / Swing

Sylvie can’t wait to bring Matilda’s revolting story to life with her Leeds cast mates! Sylvie loves all things musical theatre, and was last seen onstage as Belle in RDC’s production of Beauty and the Beast, Jr. Some of her favorite past shows include Newsies, Jr., Into the Woods, Jr., and The Wizard of Oz. She is a freshman at GRC, where she is a part of the Fine Arts Cohort majoring in drama. Sylvie’s hobbies include crochet, guitar, ukulele, reading, and cuddling with her cats. She would like to thank her mom and Miss Charlene for rides to rehearsal, and everyone at Leeds.

Silas Cornette - Ensemble

Silas is so excited to make his debut at Leeds with Matilda! He has been doing musical theatre for almost six years and is a recent alum of GSA Musical Theatre session two! Some of his favorite roles he’s played have been Jesus (Godspell Jr.), Doody (Grease), and Ben (Descendants).

“I can hear the Drums of Liberation.” - Anonymous

Kieshaun Butts - Rudolpho

Reilly Dalton is thrilled to be making his debut with Leeds Center for the Arts. Previous roles include Kurt Von Trapp in Sound of Music (The Lex), Winthrop in The Music Man (The Woodford Theatre), JoJo in Seussical Jr. (ACTivate), Narrator/Ensemble in Beauty in the Beast Jr. (ACTivate) and Horton in Seussical Kids (Cassidy Elementary). Reilly also played the lead role of Max in the episode "Max Madness," part of the series Bettor Days, on ESPN+. He has had a passion for acting, singing, and dancing since he was two. When Reilly is not on stage, he enjoys spending time with his friends and family, playing soccer, building Legos, reading, swimming, and riding his bike.

Taylinn Dickens - Alice

Taylinn is so excited for her first show at Leeds. She is an incoming sixth-grader at Lexington Traditional Magnet, and thrilled to be a part of their new performing arts pathway. Past performances include Rudolph Jr., Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and The Music Man She would like to thank everyone for attending and supporting the arts! She hopes you enjoy the show!

Avery Dore - Matilda

This is Avery’s third show with Leeds Center for the Arts, and she is so excited to work with this talented cast of kids and adults. Leeds is her favorite space to perform! She is also involved with SPARK classes at Leeds where she was in Aristocats, which was her favorite because she made lots of new friends. When not at Leeds, she sings with Erika’s Voice Lessons, plays the oboe, draws, crochets, cooks, plays with her dog, and texts her friends. Most recently, she played Ariel in The Little Mermaid with Baker Musical Theatre Department. “I

would like to thank my parents for driving me everywhere and being my biggest supporters, my little sister for running lines with me, my Mamoo, Nana, and the rest of my huge family for their love and support, and Ms. Ellie, Mr. Steve, Tessa, Marilyn, and Mrs. Tracey for their constant encouragement and allowing me to just be me!”

Jacob Ernst is an actor from Lexington, Kentucky. He is a recent graduate of the University of Kentucky and a proud graduate of Laffayette-SCAPA. He is a 2019 Governor’s School for the Arts alum, where he has worked as a Residential Advisor the past two summers. Jacob is so thrilled to be a part of his fourth production with Leeds. You may have seen them as Laurie (Little Women) or Prentiss (Peter and the Starcatcher). He also teaches Elementary Acting with Leeds’ SPARK education program! Matilda has always been one of his favorite stories and he’s so excited to be in this production! He can’t wait for you to see it!

Reilly Dalton - Bruce

Jacob Ernst - The Escapologist

Tommy Flanigan - Michael Wormwood

Tommy Flanigan is so incredibly excited to be a part of another production at Leeds Center for the Arts. He honestly is just trying his best at life and really hopes you all enjoy this production of Matilda!

Amari Gilkey - The Acrobat / Ensemble / Miss Honey U/S

Amari is a 19 year old from Georgetown, Kentucky and she is very excited to be in this production of Matilda. You may have seen her in Leeds’ 2022 production of Into the Woods Jr. as The Baker’s Wife. She’s been in countless other shows in the Georgetown/Paris area including Snow White as Snow, Beauty and the Beast as Belle, and Savannah in Freaky Friday However, this is her last show for a while as she is taking time to focus on college education at the illustrious Kentucky State University.

Elena Guerra - Mrs. Wormwood

Elena is a Theatre graduate of the University of Kentucky, where you may have seen her as Chick Boyle in Crimes of the Heart or Mariel in Paper Towels Her other credits include Molly Aster in Peter and the Starcatcher with Leeds Center for the Arts, Jo U/S in Little Women with Leeds Center for the Arts, Kaylee in The Prom with Voices Amplified, and Jean Louise Finch in To Kill A Mockingbird with CAL Theatre. In her time away from the stage Elena is an elementary school teacher who enjoys spending time with all of her pets. One of which is a cat named after this very story! Matilda, the cat, and Elena hope you enjoy the show.

Emma Hatcher - Ensemble / Mrs. Wormwood U/S

Emma is so excited and thankful to perform in her first production at Leeds! Some of her favorite past roles include Dee Dee Allen (The Prom), Rusty (Footloose), and Rhonda (Almost, Maine). Emma will begin her next step in life at the University of Kentucky in the fall, with a major in Music Education in hopes of becoming an elementary music teacher. She would like to thank all of her teachers who have helped her to become the performer she is in these past few years.

Sadie Hess - Ensemble

Sadie is so excited to be in her 5th official show at Leeds! Some of her past shows include Into the Woods Jr. (Lucinda) and Newsies Jr. (Spot Conlon/Newsie). When she's not on stage, Sadie loves to read, play her electric guitar, crochet, and hang out with friends. She would like to thank the cast, crew, and her family for being the most amazing people ever. She also would like to thank YOU, the audience, for coming to see the show! She hopes you enjoy.

Foster Holt - Eric

Foster is thrilled to be back for his second show at Leeds! Previously he appeared in his favorite musical Newsies Jr (Les) at Leeds. This past year Foster participated in the Artist Development Program “Storytellers” with The Lexington Theatre Company. He will start sixth grade this fall at Model Laboratory School. Foster would like to thank his directors, Ellie and Steve for their guidance and encouragement.

Jesse Hungerford is overjoyed to be back on stage at Leeds with such a wonderful cast! You may have recently seen him in The Prom (Principal Hawkins) with Voices Amplified, Twelfth Night (Orsino) with AthensWest, or The Addams Family (Gomez) here at Leeds! Before he returned to Lexington he was a member of the Aleatoric Theater Company in Chicago, and performed in The Complete Works…(abridged), The Laramie Project, the Chicago debut of Come n’ Go A Kentucky native, Jesse has been seen in multiple community productions including: Lord of the Flies, The History Boys, Dog Sees God, and as the title role in Romeo and Juliet. He would like to thank his family, friends, and amazing girlfriend, whom without, he wouldn’t have the courage to pursue his passion. Enjoy the Show!

Alice Jones is delighted to return to the Leeds stage, where she has previously appeared in Steel Magnolias (M’Lynn), Mary Poppins (Miss Andrews), and Into the Woods (Jack’s Mother). She has been acting and singing around the Bluegrass for more than 20 years, and recently retired from EKU’S department of Physics, Geosciences & Astronomy. She’s exceedingly grateful that her own mum wrote her own story, which allowed Alice to grow up to play with the talented young people in this cast.

Jesse Hungerford - Mr. Wormwood

Alice Jones - Miss Trunchbull

Katherine Kennedy is excited to be in her second summer show at Leeds. Katherine is a junior at the University of Kentucky, majoring in Media Arts and Studies with minors in Dance and Linguistics. Some of her favorite credits include The Addams Family (Saloon Girl Ancestor, Dance Captain), Beauty and the Beast (Cogsworth), and The Nutcracker (Russian, Snow Queen, Sugar Plum Fairy). She is currently an instructor at Dancer’s Pointe, teaching styles including musical theatre, jazz, contemporary, and tap. She is so proud of her fellow cast members and hopes you enjoy the show!

Emerson Kincaid is so glad to be returning to the Leeds stage for the Matilda production. She was six years old when she last performed at Leeds in School House Rock. She is now a sixth grader at Baker Intermediate. This is Emerson’s third play, having most recently played Scuttle in Baker’s production of The Little Mermaid Jr Besides theatre, she enjoys soccer, piano and reading. She is excited for you to see this production and hopes you enjoy the show!

This is John's third show on-stage at Leeds. He has been in Leeds’ previous productions of Mamma Mia and The Addams Family: The Musical He has also assisted and directed multiple shows within Clark County. His most recent productions were Winnie the Pooh KIDS here at Leeds as the music director and his directorial debut of Bright Star at Winchester's George Rogers Clark High School.

Katherine Kennedy - Ensemble / Dance Captain / Mrs. Phelps U/S

Emerson Kincaid - Amanda Thripp

John Lawwill - Children's Entertainer / Ensemble

Brody Schmieg is excited to return to the Leeds stage for Matilda the Musical! He previously participated in Leeds’ SPARK production of Disney’s The Aristocats KIDS, and appeared in Shearer Musical Theatre’s productions of Disney’s Frozen KIDS and Disney’s Jungle Book KIDS Brody is a 5th grade student in Clark County. In addition to theater, Brody has danced with Dancer’s Pointe for 6 years and performs with Erika’s Voice Studio. When he is not engaged in performing arts, Brody enjoys Legos, soccer, and Minecraft. He would like to thank Leeds for this opportunity to perform, as well as his family and friends for their support. He hopes you will enjoy the show!

Tenlee Simpson is beyond excited to be making her debut performance with Leeds! Tenlee will be starting the 6th grade at Beaumont Middle School. Some of her favorite past performances include Frozen Jr. (Elsa), Shrek Jr (Dragon), and Beauty and the Beast (Narrator). Tenlee was a member of ACTivate Artists with Purpose in 2022-2023 and cannot wait for the upcoming season! She would like to thank her family for their continued support and kindness between all of her hobbies! Enjoy!!

Madeline Smith - Mrs. Phelps

Madeline is thrilled to be making her debut at Leeds! She has a bachelor's degree in Theatre with a musical theatre emphasis from the University of Kentucky. She has performed across the Bluegrass in roles such as Tracy in Hairspray, Lilly St. Regis in Annie, Logainne in Spelling Bee and many more. Matilda holds a special place in Madeline’s heart as it was the first show she saw on Broadway. She’s even seen it at the West End! She cannot be more excited to bring this show to life for a second time. “A very special thank you to my family for supporting me on this journey”

Gates Smyth - Sergei / Ensemble / Mr. Wormwood U/S

Gates Smyth is a recent graduate from Frederick Douglass High School and an incoming UK Theatre and Arts Administration Major, being involved with the Musical Theatre Certificate program. Gates is ecstatic to be in his first production at Leeds, and his first community theatre production! His favorite recent role was Beast in Beauty in the Beast; however, catch him performing as Gomez Addams in an upcoming production of The Addams Family at Spotlight Playhouse in September. Gates is very fortunate for the people he has been able to surround himself with at Leeds and is grateful for every second of this show!

Brody Schmieg - Tommy

Tenlee Simpson - Hortensia

Kelli

Kelli Jo is a Lexington native and is excited to be performing at Leeds Center for the Arts. Most recent productions include The Sound of Music (The Lexington Theatre Company) and Little Shop of Horrors (Woodford Theatre). When not performing, Kelli Jo teaches voice and piano at Town and Village (Paris, KY) and The Lexington Theatre Company.

Jalisa

- Ensemble

Jalisa Suter is excited to be back at Leeds for the second time. She was previously in The Addams Family Musical as the Roman Empress ancestor in the summer of 2022. She is happy that she gets to be a part of such a wacky and fun show with such great people, and she can't wait to share this story with a welcoming audience.

Ava VanMeter - Ensemble / Swing

Ava VanMeter is a rising Freshman at Lexington Christian Academy and loves all things musical theatre. Favorite past roles include, Young Fiona in Shrek the Musical, Caitlin in Mean Girls, Clarice in Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer the Musical, Mayzie LaBird in Seussical, Jr, Jojo in Newsies, Jr., Pinocchio in Shrek Jr, Matilda in Matilda the Musical, Flounder in The Little Mermaid Jr, Young Elsa in Frozen, Jr, and Jojo in Seussical the Musical, Jr Ava also participates in ACTivate Artists with Purpose. Ava is thrilled for this opportunity and would like to thank her family and everyone at Leeds for all their encouragement and support.

Nicholas is excited to be a part of his first Leeds production. A rising 8th grade vocal major and theater minor at SCAPA, he loves the joy that musical theater brings into the world. As a member of ACTivate, he is constantly growing and expanding on his passion for the arts.

Jo Summers - Miss Honey

Suter

Nicholas Wilson - Nigel

AUDITIONS SEPT. 5 & 7