26-27 Season Announcement

Ashley Stephens is thrilled to be back at Macon Little Theater where she has previously been seen as a princess (Into the Woods), an ogre (Shrek), and a menace (Rent)—this range feels correct for her as a person. MLT is one of her favorite places to be because of the incredibly talented and kind people, its heart for producing meaningful theatre, and an outlet for her standing personal mission to convince others to go to Waffle House after rehearsal. Ashley sings constantly and with confidence, whether appropriate or not. By day, Ashley works as the Assistant Director of Admissions at Mercer University and can be summoned by simply mentioning Mercer out loud. Her hobbies include vocal stims, singing as a Minion, reading, and spending time with her cat, Eloise who is the true star of the household. She’s so excited for what’s ahead this season at MLT, and she wants to thank JP and Sylvia for this opportunity!

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Holly Goodman is thrilled to be part of this season announcement and still hasn’t outgrown the theatre bug she caught at age 7. Some of her favorite roles include Elle Woods in Legally Blonde (yes, she can bend and snap) and Emma in Jekyll & Hyde right here at MLT. By day, she’s a cardiology nurse practitioner saving hearts, and by night (or very early morning), she’s either running races or at CrossFit being personally victimized by burpees and calling it fun. She’s also the very proud (and slightly outnumbered) aunt to seven nieces and nephews. A huge thank you to her sweet husband for being her ride-or-die, rehearsal chauffeur, song/line-listening victim, and the man who fully supports her dramatic tendencies—while pretending not to have every song memorized by now. Holly is beyond excited for another season of theatre and fully plans to soak up every moment!

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Cassidy Hall is so excited to be a part of MLT’s first ever live Season Announcement! Cassidy began performing at Macon Little Theatre in 2010, as an 8 year old in summer kid’s camp directed by Haynie and Voss. 16 years of shows later, she now serves on the creative team for that same camp, working alongside Haynie and Voss as choreographer for the entire MLT Family Season. Previous MLT roles include Cassie in A Chorus Line, The Witch in Into the Woods, Ilse in Spring Awakening, and Morticia Addams in The Addams Family. Other Middle Georgia credits include Kathy Selden in Singin’ in the Rain at Theatre Macon, and Amber in Hairspray at Perry Players. Cassidy made her professional theatre debut in Massachusetts last summer with Priscilla Beach Theatre in their production of Brightstar (Florence and Dance Captain). She is very excited to be returning there this summer for their production of 9 to 5 as Missy Hart and in the ensemble! She began working in TV & Film in 2021, with her favorite job being acting as a photodouble in Stranger Things 5. Cassidy has loved working as a choreographer the past 2 seasons here at MLT, and can’t wait for next season! When not on stage or teaching dance, she spends most of her time at concerts, traveling, and with friends. She is thankful for Macon Little Theatre being her 2nd home since high school, and for all of the people it has brought her.

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Tony Kemp has been part of the MLT family for several seasons and credits the theatre as one of the reasons he and his wife made the move back to Georgia from Ohio years ago.  As he shares, “Our parents jokingly asked us not to have children so far away—since they were in Georgia—and we were already dreaming about a move where I was really hoping for two things to compliment a full-time job: access to theatre…and Disney.”  Thankfully, he found both, along with an incredible community of friends along the way.  (Yes, he’s a huge Disney fan and even worked part-time at Disney Store locations in both Ohio and Georgia before they sadly closed.) By day, Tony serves as an administrator and adjunct faculty member at Mercer University, but his passion for theatre continues to shine through his work on stage across Middle Georgia.  He is also a committee member of the Georgia High School Musical Theatre Awards.  His performance experience spans Georgia, South Carolina, and Ohio, and he has contributed to the arts as a judge for regional and state literary competitions in Georgia, Alabama, and Florida, and through participation with Georgia Thespian Conferences. Some of Tony’s favorite roles include Buddy in Elf, Amos Hart in Chicago, Emmett Forrest in Legally Blonde, Cogsworth in Beauty and the Beast, and Lord Farquaad in Shrek. Tony is deeply grateful for his local theatre families and cherishes every opportunity to be involved with Central Georgia theatres. He extends heartfelt thanks to Kandy, Sydnie, Sutton, and his friends and other family members for their unwavering support and to audiences like you for championing our vibrant theatre community. “Hope you’ll join us for our new season!”

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Blake Leslie made his MLT debut as Clinton A. Badger in MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS way back in the before times of 1993. He has also appeared at MLT as Cinderella’s Prince in INTO THE WOODS and was most recently seen here as Dr. Frank-n-Furter in last year’s ROCKY HORROR SHOW.  You may have also seen him last year at Theatre Macon as Dr. Pomatter in WAITRESS, Ramses in THE PRINCE OF EGYPT and Prince Hans in DISNEY’S FROZEN. Blake spent the better part of the last three decades as a performer also having worked professionally in theatre, film, television, as well as a cohost and producer of various podcasts.  His home, however, will always be the stage.  “It’s an honor to be included in today’s lineup alongside such crazy talented friends.  I will always treasure this community and Macon Little Theatre for opening their arms and hearts to me. ” 

Andy Martinez-Lopez is so excited to be back at Macon Little Theatre, which has quickly become one of his favorite creative homes. He previously appeared at MLT as the Pied Piper in Shrek the Musical, Bickel in Footloose, and Adult Simba in The Lion King Jr., and has loved both performing and watching shows here, especially because of the strong sense of community and passion that makes MLT such a special place. Andy has been involved in theatre for several years, both at school and in the Macon community, with recent roles including Danny in Grease at his high school. He has also worked with Theatre Macon in productions like Waitress and The Prince of Egypt, and most recently played Toothless in a pilot production of How to Train Your Dragon, marking his first community theatre lead. In addition to performing, he has explored technical theatre by helping with set build for Noises Off, which deepened his appreciation for the work behind the scenes. His family includes both his biological family and his chosen family, the incredible friends he has met through theatre, band, and school who continue to support and inspire him. Outside of theatre, Andy works as a server and is starting a new position at Texas Roadhouse, balancing his schedule between work and performing. He also enjoys playing the clarinet, running, and baking, and is always looking for new ways to stay creative. He is incredibly excited for what’s ahead and can’t wait to see all the stories that will come to life on this stage this season!

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Miller McWhorter is honored to help announce the 26-27 MLT season! Miller has been a performer and choreographer her whole life, to the joy and schagrin of her family. Her favorite previous roles include Reno Sweeney (Anything Goes) and Peter (Peter Pan), and she is most proud of choreographing West Side Story and A Chorus Line in the same season. When Miller began her career as a flight attendant with Delta Air Lines, she had to put her creative outlets on pause. She moved to Macon in 2023 to join her now husband, Baxter, who attends Mercer Medical School. They were introduced to MLT last summer with Jekyll & Hyde. That show inspired Miller to audition, herself. This season, you may have seen her at MLT as Florinda in Into The Woods, Pinocchio in Shrek, or Detective Blore in And Then There Were None. Her final role (for now?) at MLT will be as Ms. Flemming in the upcoming production of Heathers. Miller and Baxter will be moving to Mobile, AL, where Baxter will begin his career as a neurologist. Leaving Macon is so much harder after this year with MLT. There are incredible friendships, skills, and productions that are all developed in this building. MLT has become a treasured part of this chapter, and Miller and look forward to returning to see the excellent productions that are in store for the 26-27 season!

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Michael Montgomery is so honored to be welcomed back to Macon Little Theatre as a performer for this season's announcement! He is a newer face to Macon Little Theatre, beginning his time here with his first show as the Steward in Into the Woods. That role sparked the amazing and growing relationship he has made with the theatre and the community! His other roles with the theatre include Dr. Scott in The Rocky Horror Picture Show, and most notably, Donkey in Shrek! While he may be a newer face to Macon Little Theatre, his theatre background extends across Macon to Theatre Macon and Mercer University! Notable productions include, Dance Corps in Prince of Egypt, Belize/Mr. Lies in Angels in America: Part 1, and ensemble in Waitress. Theatre has become such a passion and a driving force in Michael’s life that he is now pursuing a bachelor’s of fine arts degree in Theatre performance at Columbus State University! He is the oldest child of 4, and when not on stage hooting and hollering, he is greeting guests with passion and kindness at Chick-fil-a. Besides theatre and work, Michael enjoys tennis, dancing, learning new things, and singing. He is thrilled to help announce the season, and hopes everyone is just as thrilled as he is! 

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Jordan Ray - Jordan Ray is excited to be performing again with Macon Little Theatre! He has appeared on the MLT stage before as Jekyll and Hyde, and The Wolf in Into the Woods. Other roles include Davey in Theatre Macon’s Newsies and William Barfeé in The Gainesville Theatre Alliance’s production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Jordan is a graduate of Brenau University with his BFA in musical theatre and is currently working as the Theatre Teacher at Central High School. He absolutely loves performing and the community that MLT has created. He is so honored to help announce another wonderful season at MLT!

Ashley Stephens

Ella Trotter, who participated in her first theatre production on this stage when she was six years old, is excited to be a part of this special event! More recently at MLT, you might have seen her as Bebe in A Chorus Line. You might have also seen her onstage at Theatre Macon, most recently in the ensemble of Waitress. Ella graduated from The Townsend School of Music at Mercer University in 2024, where she regularly participated in the MU Opera program and studied with Dr. Martha Malone. Since graduating, Ella has returned to Mercer to work as the office assistant for the school of music. When she’s not on stage or working, you can usually find Ella sitting in a coffee shop and yapping with her friends. She would like to thank her parents, Tim and Jean, for remaining so supportive of her passion for theatre over the years, and her sister, Cara, for joining her on stage whenever she can (Trotter siblings for the win)! Ella is excited for next season at MLT, and hopes Macon is ready for some unexpected gems that you will not want to miss! If you can’t wait for next season, she hopes you will come see Heathers: the Musical (running May 8-17) where she will play the role of Veronica Sawyer.