DIRECTOR

Bethany Harrison is the co-owner and Executive Director of Stage Local. She is a classically trained soprano, having studied voice for over 18 years. She is also an actress, and locally has appeared in roles such as Rapunzel in “Into the Woods” (Audience of One) among others. Bethany believes the arts are a fundamental component to a thriving community and believes Stage Local has the potential to offer residents quality, enriching arts programming. She is a lifelong resident of Wilson County and is passionate about bringing the community together through “The Sound of Music”!

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR/ PRODUCER

Sarah Collins is the proud co-founder of Stage Local! Sarah is the owner of Poppie’s Boutique in downtown Lebanon, with another location in downtown Cookeville. She also runs a ministry, Good Grace Club, where she co-hosts a bi-weekly podcast. Sarah has always been heavily involved in theatre and the arts and is a trained musician and worship leader. Sarah is convinced that theatre and the arts are a God-given gift that can bring so much joy to our hearts, neighbors, and friends and is passionate about sharing that gift with others!

MUSIC DIRECTOR

Madison Gunn is an actress, director, and vocal coach based out of Nashville, TN. She is a graduate of Trevecca with degrees in Dramatic Arts and Music. Madison works at Dynamic Ballroom and Performing Arts where she teaches private voice lessons and writes and directs musical theatre camps. Some music director credits include Wizard of Oz, Xanadu Jr and She Loves Me (AMD). She is so honored to be a part  Stage Local’s inaugural show! 

CHOREOGRAPHER

Kayla Hill is currently a junior Elementary and Special Education major with a dance minor at Lipscomb University, where she is also a third year member of the dance company. 

Kayla’s passion lies with dance, along with any aspect of the fine arts. Over the past eighteen years, Kayla trained in eleven different styles of dance, but tap and hip hop will always hold a special place in her heart. She has also been highly active in the competition and performance company world. Kayla believes the stories told through dance can change hearts and lives. She is unbelievably excited and honored to share the gift of dance with this cast!

CHOREOGRAPHER

At just 16 years old, Ava Baker has become a standout talent in the local community theatre scene. She began her performance journey as a competitive dancer, and at the age of 7, she took the stage in her first Broadway musical. Since then, Ava has starred in over 20 community theatre productions, portraying roles such as Annie in Annie, Nala in The Lion King, Jr., Brigitta in The Sound of Music, and Penny Lou Pingleton in Hairspray. Additionally, she served as the choreographer for Newsies, Jr., The Music Man, Jr., and The Lion King, Jr. at Historic Capitol Theatre in Lebanon, TN. A sophomore at Wilson Central High School, Ava is also a proud member of the Wilson Central Dance Team. She is thrilled to join the creative team at Stage Local Lebanon and looks forward to the exciting opportunities this new company will bring to the community.

CUMBERLAND UNIVERSITY LIASON

Jenny Ballard is an Assistant Professor of Theatre at Cumberland University in Lebanon, TN.  Until very recently, she lived in Baton Rouge, where she served as Managing Artistic Director of Theatre Baton Rouge, and as an Adjunct Professor in the Theatre Department at Louisiana State University.  She received her B.A. in English and Theatre from the University of TN, and her M.F.A. in Theatre Performance from LSU.  She has been acting and directing professionally forover 23 years.  She is a proud member of SAG-AFTRA, and been seen in American Horror Story: Coven, Jack Reacher: Never Go Back, Cover Me, NCIS: New Orleans, The First, Keanu, and most recently in Apple TV+’s Black Bird.  Favorite theatrical acting credits include Proof, The Taming of the Shrew, Pride and Prejudice, Twelfth Night, All the King’s Men, King Lear, A Few Good Men, The Crucible, and Clue; favorite directing credits include Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Disney’s Newsies, Rock of Ages, Peter and the Starcatcher, The Drowsy Chaperone, Monty Python’s Spamalot, Baskerville: A Sherlock Homes Mystery, The Wizard of Oz, Godspell, and Little Women.