The Appalachian Shakespeare Center at EKU promotes agency and citizenship by engaging learners and audiences with the works of William Shakespeare.
Matthew Johnson Director
Sarah Jo Jacobs Education Director
Paige AdamsProduction Manager
Adam Smyth Technical Director
Jonathan Hibbard Costume Shop Manager
Production Crew
Facilitators--Matthew Johnson, Sarah Jo Jacobs, Jonathan Hibbard
Technical Director--Adam Smyth
Stage Manager--Paige Adams
Assistant Stage Manager--Molly McGowan
Puppet Design--Matthew Johnson, Paige Adams
Costume Design--Jonathan Hibbard
Prop Design--Sarah Jo Jacobs
Musician--Anna French
Scenic Design--Matthew Johnson
Puppet Construction--Matthew Johnson, Paige Adams, Adam Smyth, Jonathan Hibbard, Sarah Jo Jacobs, Adam Holhubner, Mary Rose Stelzer-Weise, Marissa Martinez, London Dailey, Sydney Marks
Interns--Adam Holhubner, Mary Rose Stelzer-Weise
Volunteers--Marissa Martinez, London Dailey, Sydney Marks
Cast
(in order of appearance)
Hypolita/Oberon--Sarah Jo Jacobs
Theseus/Titania--Samuel Lockridge
Philostrate/Changeling Child--Mary Rose Stelzer-Weise
Egeus--Adam Holhubner
Hermia--London Dailey
Lysander--Wylie Caudill
Demetrius--Evan Daulton
Helena--Madison Plucknett
Peter Quince/Mustardseed--Sydney Marks
Nick Bottom--Jonathan Hibbard
Flute/Peaseblossom--David Bellnier
Snout/Wall--Allyson Smith
Starveling/Cobweb--Alexander Brewer
Snug/Lion--Rebecca Keith
Puck--Matthew Johnson
Bios
Sarah Jo Jacobs (Hypolita/Oberon) is the Education Director for The Appalachian Shakespeare Center and graduated from Eastern Kentucky University with her Degree in Theater and English. SJ has been part of AppShakes productions since the beginning as one of the founding members of the company. She has participated in numerous productions including, The Tempest (Caliban), Romeo and Juliet (Mercutio) and Much Ado About Nothing (Beatrice). SJ is thrilled to work with her AppShakes family (especially her clowns) and would like to thank her family, her Ben, and her Dinsdale for being the very best support system a person could hope for.
Samuel Lockridge (Theseus/Titania) is an actor, musician, sound designer, and arts administrator based in Lexington. Samuel is a co-founder and director of Afterculture Theatre which has created site-specific immersive productions since 2015. This is his first AppShakes production. Samuel would like to thank his marvelous cast mates, his family, his dog Apollo, and his brilliant partner Rebecca for all of their love and support.
Mary Rose Stelzer-Weise (Philostrate/Changeling Child) is a recent EKU grad from Richmond, Kentucky, and this is her first show with AppShakes. Her favorite and only other theatrical role was The Jester in EKU’s Once Upon a Mattress. She would like to thank her fellow intern, Adam for all his help and encouragement, the cast and crew for their kindness and friendship, her family, especially her mother, for their constant love and support, and her roommate, Addison for the tutu.
Adam Holhubner (Egeus) is from Hebron, Kentucky and is an intern with Appalachian Shakespeare. This is his first show with AppShakes but he has been acting since middle school. His favorite roles he’s played are Joe Zutty from Working and King Sextimus from Once Upon A Mattress. He would like to thank the entire AppShakes staff for the wonderful learning opportunity, his family and friends for always supporting him, and his wonderful girlfriend Marissa Martinez for helping him and the show succeed.
London Dailey (Hermia) is from Northern Kentucky and has been an actress at Appalachian Shakespeare since her debut professional role as Romeo in 2018. A few of her favorite roles include Mae in You Got Older, Marie in The Ow of Pre-K, and Ursula in Disney's The Little Mermaid. London has accepted a job as a Scenic Art intern at Florida Repertory Theater and is ecstatic to be moving south soon after Midsummer's close. Special thanks to her AppShakes family for always welcoming her with open arms, and to her Mom, Sister, Step-Father and Grandparents for their unwavering love and support.
Wylie Caudill (Lysander) is from Cynthiana, Kentucky, although some speculate he was born in Fairyland because of how much he likes to twirl. This is Wylie‘s fifth production with the Appalachian Shakespeare Center at EKU (he’s been in every one so far). Outside of being a thespian, Wylie is a professional paint slinger though headlines mistakenly refer to him as an artist. Wylie would like to take this time to let his boyfriend know that Wylie is gay. Wylie hopes that his boyfriend will be accepting.
Evan Daulton (Demetrius) is from Somerset, Kentucky and regularly works with The Appalachian Shakespeare Center. He has performed in The Tempest as Ariel and Romeo & Juliet as The Prince. He was also the Cinematographer and Editor for The Appalachian Shakespeare Center’s Feature Length puppet film, Twelfth Night, or What You Will. He’d like to thank his fellow cast members for their love and support as well as his dog, Ripley Rey, for keeping him humble.
Madison Plucknett (Helena) is from Sadieville, Kentucky. This is her second show with App Shakes. Madison’s favorite show credits include Henrietta in Silent Sky, Emilia in Othello, and Varya in The Cherry Orchard. Madison Plucknett has been acting since elementary school, and is a professional actor and director. Visit madisonplucknett.com for more info on past credits and upcoming projects. Madison is excited to be taking on the challenging role of Helena with App Shakes.
Sydney Marks (Peter Quince/Mustardseed), from Baltimore, Maryland, is thrilled to be working with the Appalachian Shakespeare Center again. She has performed in AppShakes’ shows since the company’s founding in roles such as Juliet in Romeo & Juliet and Stephano in The Tempest. Offstage, Sydney is a high school theatre teacher in Baltimore. She would like to thank the cast and crew for their dedication to this production, and her family and Michael for their love.
Jonathan Hibbard (Bottom/Pyramus) is from London, Kentucky, and is Appalachian Shakespeare’s head of costume design. He has performed in and designed for almost all of AppShakes’ shows since the company’s founding. Jonathan has been acting since he was a child and his favorite roles include Fagin from Oliver and Don Armado from Love’s Labors Lost. He would like to thank his lovely girlfriend Lenée for all her love and support.
David Bellnier (Francis Flute/Thisbe/Peaseblossom) is from Knoxville, Tennessee, and currently lives in Lexington where he works as a barista and baker. David debuted with AppShakes as Dogberry in Much Ado About Nothing. Some of his favorite roles include Vince in Buried Child, Astolfo in Life is a Dream, and Eddy in The Rocky Horror Picture Show. He would like to thank all of his loved ones for their support.
Allyson Smith (Tom Snout/Wall/Moth) is a 2020 graduate of EKU with a BA in Communication and a certificate in Theatrical Performance. Her previous summer Shakespeare productions include The Tempest (Adrian Francisco), Romeo & Juliet (Abram), and Twelfth Night (Tech). Some of her favorite roles include The Wizard of Oz (Wicked Witch), The Secret Garden (Martha), Annie (Grace), and Love’s Labours Lost (Moth). Allyson would like to dedicate her performance to all her family and friends who continue to love and support her, as well as her wonderful father in heaven, happy birthday.
Alexander Brewer (Robin Starveling/Moonlight/Cobweb) is from Lexington, KY. They are proud to return to the AppShakes' stage and were previously seen in Romeo & Juliet (Lady Montague/Friar John). Other shows they have enjoyed around the area include Shakespeare in Love (Robin/Frees) with Woodford Theatre, And Then There Were None (General MacKenzie) with EKU's APO chapter, and Spring Awakening (Georg/Dieter) with EKU Theatre, though sadly due to the pandemic only their fellow cast members know how fantastic that show would have been. They would like to thank you, personally, for coming out to enjoy live theatre after a stressful year!
Rebecca Keith is a bank teller by day, and a singer and actress by night. Hailing from Georgetown, Kentucky, she’s no stranger to the stage in the central Kentucky area. She’s excited to make her debut with AppShakes! Favorite roles include Wendla (Spring Awakening,) Patsy (Spamalot,) Whatshername (American Idiot,) Wednesday Addams (The Addams Family,) and Little Red Riding Hood (Into the Woods.) She would like to thank her amazing family, her partner Steven, and her dogs for inspiring her to follow her dreams..
Matthew Johnson (Puck) is the Director of the Appalachian Shakespeare Center, the area head of Musical Theatre, and an Associate Professor of Music at EKU. Matt has directed all the past AppShakes shows, as well as designing scenery and sound for many of them. A professional actor for the last 28 years, favorite roles include Falstaff (Henry IV), Hamlet, Pseudolus (A Funny Thing…) , Gayev (The Cherry Orchard), and Francis Henshall (One Man Two Guvnors). Special thanks to Millie and Ollie Johnson for mining meaning from the chaos and to the hardworking Kentucky artists of AppShakes.
Anna French (Musician) is from Berea, Kentucky and is a graduate assistant with the EKU School of Music. This is her first time performing in an AppShakes’ production and she is excited for the opportunity. Anna can be seen working with the Marching Colonels in their fall season as well as performing with the EKU Trombone Society and other performing groups here at EKU. She would like to thank AppShakes for this opportunity to perform with them.
Paige Adams (Stage Manager) is from Mt. Sterling, Kentucky and is Appalachian Shakespeare’s Production Manager. She has been with AppShakes since it’s founding with many roles including Stage Manager, Props and Puppet Designer, and Actor. Paige is excited to jump back into live theatre with this fun show! She would like to thank her fiancé Logan for all his support and she can’t wait to marry him this October!
Adam Smyth (Technical Director) is from Clay City KY, and is the Technical Director for Appalachian Shakes and EKU Musical Theatre. He has worked with the various forms of EKU Theatre since 2013 2013, as well as various other summer stock theatres. He loves building and designing for Shakespeare and outdoor performances.
Marissa Martinez (Paint Charge) is from Carrollton, and this is her first time volunteering for AppShakes. She has helped paint puppets in this production and has been painting for seven years. Marissa has always been fascinated with art and her favorite artist is Leonid Afremov. She would like to thank her partner Adam Holhubner for pushing her to chase her dreams and introducing her to a lovely group of creative minds.
Molly McGowan is from Erlanger, Kentucky, and this is her first Appalachian Shakespeare show! She has seen their productions in the past and is excited to finally be a part of their team. Molly has always enjoyed theatre and is currently a member of the Alpha Psi Omega theatre fraternity at EKU. She enjoys working backstage and has Assistant Stage Managed multiple EKU productions. She would like to thank our stage manager, Paige Adams, for all of her mentoring and support these past few years.
