Cast/Crew Bios
Drake Gillaspie (Pseudolus) is thrilled to be participating in his third show with Central Ky Theatre having also been in The Wacky Weird Wonderful Wizard of Oz and Freaky Friday the Musical with CKT. Favorite credits include The Stephen Foster Story (Gottlieb Igoe, Henry Kleber, and Josh Pollock), The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Quasimodo), Beauty and the Beast (Cogsworth), All Shook Up (Earl), Peter and the Starcatcher (Smee), Evil Dead the Musical (Jake), among many others. Drake has had a wonderful time working with this stellar cast and using every muscle in his face to keep a straight face while working with such talented comedians. He wants to thank God and his family for their love and support and thanks the audience for their patronage of the theatre.
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Chris Nall (Senex) is so glad to be a part of A funny thing happened on the way to the forum, also being a part of the CKT family. Chris has been in Fiddler on the roof, Burl In smoke on the mountain, Jack in Old fashion family Christmas, Freaky Friday, Arsenic and old lace where he played three parts and several Church plays. He has would like to send his love and admiration to his wife Shirley of 38 years and her wonderful support.
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Anna Bass (Domina) is pumped to be back on the Central Kentucky Theater stage for the second time! In the fall of 2023 she was Torrey in Freaky Friday here at CKT, and before that, Mrs. Carnegie at The Stephen Foster Story. This show has been a DELIGHT to be a part of, being full of her dear, talented friends. Playing the role of Domina has been a blast! She’s so grateful for her family and friends for coming out to see the show, and hopes everyone enjoys a COMEDY TONIGHT!
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Robbie Moran (Hero) Robbie Moran is a 23 year old actor from Bardstown, Kentucky. He is excited to return to CKT, last performing in Almost, Maine. He spent this past year in Bird-In-Hand, PA working and performing for Blue Gate Musicals on their productions of Dear Soldier Boy, The Home Game, and Our Christmas Dinner. Robbie also performed in The Stephen Foster Story for 5 seasons as an Ensemble member and most recently was the understudy for Joseph P. Murphy, The Preacher, and Dunning Foster. He wants to say a tremendous thank you to the cast and crew of Forum for making this show an incredible experience.
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Adam Riley (Hysterium) has been performing in any theater company that will allow him to join them, for the past 16 years. He’s thrilled to be returning to the Central KY Theatre mainstage, especially for a role that’s truer to his actual self than he’d like to admit. Adam has been seen in multiple productions nearby, including Singin’ in the Rain (Cosmo Brown), Beauty & the Beast (Lumière), and The Stephen Foster Story (John Rowan Jr.) When not treading the boards, he can be found selling his soul to the USPS for a biweekly paycheck. He would like to thank everyone who’s supported him along the way of juggling a new job and this show, as well as this amazing cast who made every rehearsal a delight to attend, even when he wanted to go home and sleep, instead
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Gwendolyn Campbell (Lycus) Gwendolyn Campbell has been involved with the CKT since its beginning in 2006 and has appeared as The Lady of the Lake in Spamalot, Jane Eyre in Jane Eyre, Lucy in Jekyll and Hyde, and more. While she was briefly performing as an ambassador for Chicago, The Rockettes, and Cirque du Solei (even though she can’t do the splits) in New York, she much prefers living in Kentucky with her family and her three perfect angels Renata, Little Prince, and Cigarette who have shattered many antique crystal candy dishes but have always been mindful of family heirlooms. For this, she thanks them. If you are proficient in the interpretation of dreams, she sure would like to speak to you as hers are off the rails lately; simply unhinged.
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Joseph Mattingly (Miles Gloriosus)
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Gene Hall (Erronius) is a retired US Marine Corps officer who has appeared on stage for over 50 years. His previous CKT productions include The Importance of Being Earnest, Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Pink Panther Strikes Back, Newsies, Freaky Friday, and Arsenic and Old Lace. Gene lives in Lebanon and has 3 children, 9 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren. Gene’s advice to other seniors: “Get out of the rocking chair and get on stage! You’ll have the time of your life.”
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Kelby Hammond (Tintinabula/Choreographer) Kelby Hammond is very excited to be joining the amazing cast of CKT’s A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. Originally from Louisville, KY, she is a professional performer, choreographer, and teacher. Kelby graduated from Western Kentucky University in 2017 with a B.A. in Dance and a minor in Performing Arts Administration. She currently teaches High School Theatre Arts/Dance at Trinity Christian Academy in Lexington, Ky where she lives with her husband and two cats. She has performed professionally with the Stephen Foster Story in Bardstown, KY and with Tennessee Ballet Theatre and The Hot Foot Honeys Tap Dance Company in Memphis, TN. 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 and Freaky Friday. She hopes that you enjoy the show, and you leave feeling lighter than when you arrived.
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Presley Wilson (Panacea) Presley Wilson (Panacea) has been performing for most of her life. This is her second show here at Central Kentucky Theatre, but her first in several years! She is excited to return here and has enjoyed making new memories with new friends. She would like to thank her friends and family for their continued love and support.
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Madison Jessee (Geminae) is a native of Louisville, Kentucky, graduated in 2018 from Murray State University with a degree in elementary education and special education. Madison is an elementary school teacher but loves to spend her free time performing. Madison is excited to be back for her third production with Central Kentucky Theatre as the other half of The Geminae! Madison has worked both on and off stage at CKT. Her first performance with us was as Officer Sitz in Freaky Friday: A New Musical and she recently was the stage manager for Arsenic and Old Lace. Big shout out to all my family and friends that come to watch me do what I love!
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Morgan Jessee (Geminae) is 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 second production with Central Kentucky Theatre as one half of The Geminae! 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, 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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Ashleigh Knopp (Gymnasia) Ashleigh Knopp (Gymnasia) Has been performing on the stage for many years. Some of her favorite roles have been Ms. Hannigan from Annie and Kathy Selden in Singin in the Rain. She is very excited to perform her FIRST show here at Central Kentucky Theater. Ashleigh would also like to thank her family and friends for always supporting her and allowing her to still get on stage and do what she loves.
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Zoey Blair (Philia) is a familiar face here at CKT! She has been involved in several productions here and countless shows in the surrounding counties. You can also find her helping out with the kiddos at the performing arts academy for this semesters classes! Some of her most recent roles are Wednesday Addams (Addams Family), Ellie Blake (Freaky Friday), and you will see her as Mayzie La Bird in CKT’s upcoming Suessical. Zoey is a junior at Taylor County High School and is involved in Drama Club, Beta Club, and Show Choir. She cannot wait for everyone to enjoy this fun and eccentric production!
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Sammy Gabhart (Protean) Sammy Gabhart (14) was a very serious and professional actor until one day he fell over in front of his director Daniel Bannister, which changed the course of his acting career forever. Ever since that fateful day Sammy has spent most on stage on the ground, most recently in Arsenic and Old Lace where he played both dead bodies. Sammy’s trend of being on the ground continues in this production of A Funny Thing Happened On The Way to the Forum where he gets tossed and thrown every which way. Sammy is quite excited to be in this show and can’t wait for audiences to enjoy it.
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Seth Herald (Protean). Seth will be a Senior at WCHS next fall. He is the son of Craig Herald and Mitzi Purdom. Seth is a seasoned actor with 26 shows at Central KY Community Theatre and 1 at Campbellsville Townhall Productions. His favorite pastime is playing Video Games. He also enjoys spending time with his dog and cats. He would like to thank his entire family for their love and encouragement. Most importantly, he would like to thank the audience for watching the show.
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José Marrero (Protean)
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Daniel Bannister (Director/Producer) 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 Good Old Fashioned Big Family Christmas" "Springfield Unhinged: LIVE!" and "Christmas Carol...More or Less" at CKT. Some previous performance credits include "Wadsworth" (Clue), "Warner" (Legally Blonde), "Scarecrow" (Wacky, Weird, Wonderful, Wizard of Oz), "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!
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