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Patrick J. Mitchell
Over 50 years in the business writing, acting & directing. An award winning photographer and an on-air-personality at Radio Lex. Co-Founder and artistic director of Message Theater and co-founder of The Lextropolis.
The Waiting Room
20 years in the making Patrick Mitchell's "The Waiting Room" is a work in progress. Psychatrist Dr. Keith Griffith wakes from a dream to encounter to new clients that seem to wonder into his office.He has several life changing sessions as he travels this existential journey.
Esteem
Hope
Love
Joe Ferrell
Joe Ferrell has directed close to 250 productions in his over 60 year career as a theatre director and theatre educator, including 21 plays with Lexington Shakespeare Festival/SummerFest, several plays with Actor's Guild of Lexington, was artistic director of Phoenix Group Theatre for six years, Balagula Theatre, and for The Woodford Theatrical Arts Association. After doing his Doctoral Work at the University of Iowa, Indiana University, SUNY at Binghampton, and SMU, Joe was Director of Theatre at Georgetown College, Assistant Professor at the University of Kentucky, and during a five-year stay in NYC he worked with Westside Arts Theatre, The Theatre of the Open Eye, and Playwright’s Horizons. He was also Artistic Director for KCT/SummerFest from 2007 -2012, and directed most Summers for Lexington Shakespeare Festival. He has more recently been privileged to direct for studio players 10 min play festival,and Message Theatre.
Brandon Jones
Brandon Jones: credits include Peter in According to the Chorus (59E59), Alex in Kim’s Convenience (TheatreSquared), Orsino in Twelfth Night (KC Rep); Lt. Cutting in Valley Forge (First Flight Theatre Co.); Nash in War Words (NY Rep); Brother Boxer in The Amen Corner (Classic Stage Company); David in The Sting of White Roses (NC Black Rep); Pete/John in ReEntry (Actors Theatre of Louisville); King in The Mountaintop (Capital Rep)and various roles at New York’s The Actors Company Theatre, where he is an ensemble member. In the Soundless Awe, Meet you at the Galaxy Diner (New Light Theater Project). Film/Television credits include Danny in Same Same (Webseries). Marcus in Brothers Incorporated (Tubi), and Clare’s Boyfriend in Francis of Brooklyn (Amazon). His voice can be heard weekly on the Play On Shakespeare podcast production of Love’s Labour’s Lost as Don Adriano de Armado/Longaville. He holds an BFA in acting from the University of Cincinnati - College Conservatory of Music. For my son and best friend, Gavin.
Nick Wilson
Nicholas Wilson-Nicholas is an 8th grade vocal major and drama minor at SCAPA. Nicholas enjoys performing and has a growing passion for the theater. He has previously appeared in several roles through out the community including Nigel-Matilda (Leeds), Cat In the Hat-Seussical (Leestown Middle School) and Young Shrek-Shrek the Musical (Lexington Children’s Theater). Nicholas is a member of Jack and Jill of America, ACTivate and Kappa Klub. He would like to take this opportunity to thank God for the gifts that he has provided him to share, his family, friends and all of the music and theater educators that constantly pour into him.
Teran Sundy
Teran Sundy (“Gabe”) is excited to once again work with Message Theater. He returns to the Lyric Theater after 2019’s The Piano Lesson (Avery). His stage credits include working with Studio Players in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime (Voice Three), Becky’s New Car (Steve) and Little Red House (Ed). A Lexington native, his acting career started as early as elementary school and continued throughout the years. Some of his favorite productions include Aladdin, Jr. (Jafar) and Sweat (Chris). He is also taking his acting and script writing skills into future commercials, short films and other projects.
Jack Jackson
Jack Jackson is a 25 year old actor from Lexington Kentucky. Playing as the role of Caleb he finds himself trying out new things. Former Kentucky football player turns actor looking for more work/experience. He’s excited and grateful for the opportunities he’s given. Jack’s strong family background is what keeps him motivated to not stop fighting. First and foremost he wants to thank God for all he has done & will continue to do. He also wants to thank his parents for helping him get here. Last but not least, wants to thank Joe & Patrick for their ingenious ways of thinking and brining this show to life
Desiree Jackson
Desiree Jackson, born March 14, 1975 to Lonnie and Claudette Jackson of Versailles. Family is originally from Huntertown. Mother; Author; Artist; Poet and Motivational Speaker.Performance events include: The Annual Martin Luther King Jr breakfast of Versailles, Kentucky for 3 consecutive years; Kentucky State 1st Annual HBCU Celebration; starring role in The Lyric Theater’s stage play “The Piano Lesson”, 1st and 2nd Annual DiverCity Festival, Juneteenth Celebration 2021, multiple private engagements and community events. Now resides in Nicholasville, KY.
I honestly believe the world can be healed through performing arts, music and creative outlets. It’s the only time we do not discriminate due to differences but celebrate trueuniqueness.” ~Desiree
Emmanuel "Manny" Thurman
Emannuel “Manny” Thurman (Martin Michaels) received his BFA in Theatre from the University of Kentucky, after which he moved to Georgia where worked as personal chef and Ballroom danceinstructor. Since returning to Lexington in 2016, Manny has performed with numerous area theatres. Favorite roles include I dedicate this Ride (Issac Murphy), Black Lives Matter: 1619 to Now (Ace), Bad Auditions: On Film (Jeff Porter/Tom Bachman), Rumors (Glen Cooper), The Piano Lesson (Lymon Jackson), A Raisin in the Sun (Joseph Asagai), and Antigone (Creon).
Bernadette West-Fugate
BerNadette West-Fugate is both honored and excited to be playing the role of Robin in Patrick Mitchell's world premier of "The Waiting Room." She has worked with Message Theater in "Raisin in the Sun"/Lena and "The Issac Murphy Story"/Mama. She has also worked with other local theater groups in a variety of roles. When not acting, BerNadette is a local chef/owner at Aunt B's Catering. She wants to thank her husband and family or their contined love and support.
Stephani Gilham
Stephani Gillham (Gloria) though she is making her Message Theatre debut, she is no stranger to the stage. You may recognize her from such performances as Eualalie Mackecknie Shinn in The Music Man, Jane (and a few others) in Bloody Murder, Vi in Footloose just to name a few of the recent productions. She would like to take a moment to remind you to be just a little bit like Gloria and see the beauty and energy that surrounds you every day and find a reason to dance.
Shawn Reaves
Shawn Reaves (Steve), is president of Bluegrass Theatre Guild and has been involved in community theatre for over 20 years with BTG, Anderson, Woodford, Georgetown, BCTC, Studio Players, and Message Theaters. Recent directing credits include The Crucible, Miracle on 34th Street, A Christmas Carol, Noises Off, A Streetcar Named Desire, American Son (Message Theater/BTG collaboration). Favorite roles include Kris Kringle, Tin Man, Juror 3, and Karl Lindner. Shawn is married to his “Loved One,” Felicia, and dedicates his theatre involvement to the memory of their son, Dylan “Bard” Reaves (1991-2019), a lifelong “Theatre Kid,” storyteller, gamer, cosplayer, and musician. Shawn is deeply honored to be helping to bring the world premiere of Patrick Mitchell’s The Waiting Room to The Lyric.
Anthony Nunez
“This will be Anthony Nunez’s first time performing at the Lyric Theatre. Anthony competed for three years on the forensic’s team in community college (GCTCS) getting awards in, mostly in dramatic interpretation. Nowadays Anthony keeps busy writing short stories or working on his stand up material. He attends UK and is close to completing his degree in English.”
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The Journey
