Annie Cast Bios
Chris Beaver (Harold Ickes/Ensemble) is a visual artist/ musician who has always had an appreciation for the performing arts. Like so many others, Chris has fond memories of watching the Annie movie as a child and is honored to help bring the story to life on stage. He couldn’t resist the opportunity to work with such a talented cast, including his daughter, Sadie. Chris believes that we can all be touched by Annie’s story in some way.
Sadie Beaver (Ensemble) is currently a homeschool student taking early college classes online. She has several hobbies, including drawing and gaming. Sadie’s very happy about joining this production of ANNIE, as it is her first play ever, and she’s having a lot of fun!
Lane Berry (Kate) is an enthusiastic 11 year old actor excited to be in this production of ANNIE. Lane is a 6th grader at Hickory Christian Academy and outside of acting, she enjoys playing volleyball and softball, as well as reading, baking, and fishing! Lane has previously performed in PETER PAN and FROZEN JR., and is excited to bring the story of ANNIE to life for audiences this year.
Raz Berry (Sandy)
Sonya Briggs (Choreographer) Having one of the best experiences with the musical GODSPELL, Sonya is excited to be back at FPA choreographing ANNIE. Her credit stems all across the region with some of her favorites being YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, ROCK OF AGES, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, CABARET, and OKLAHOMA. She is currently leading the dance and theater arts program at Third Creek Middle School in Statesville where she is able to share her love and passion for the arts to the next generation of our up-and-coming talent. Of course this could not be possible without the love and support of her amazing husband and daughter.
Lily Burnette (Ensemble) is a freshman at Patton high school. This is her first show she’s done with FPA and is very grateful for this opportunity. She’s enjoyed working with this wonderful cast and thanks everyone who has let her be a part of this amazing show. She hopes you enjoy!
Finley Carlson (Annie) is in the 6th grade at Liberty Middle School. While this is her first show with FPA, she has previously been seen as Flotsam in THE LITTLE MERMAID JR. (OCP) and Chip in BEAUTY AND THE BEAST JR. (OCP). Oh boy, is she grateful for the opportunity to play this iconic role! You can bet your bottom dollar that when she’s not singing about tomorrow, she’s out spreading sunshine and dreaming big.
Lauren Carlson (Ensemble/ Ronnie Boylin/Judge Brandeis/ Mrs. Pugh) is a school counselor by day and stage mom/cast member by night. While she has helped backstage with previous shows, she is thrilled for her first opportunity to be out front and grateful that it is not only with her daughter, but a great cast of new friends. She hopes you enjoy the show and that you leave smiling ear to ear!
Brian Costin (Mr. Bundles/ Franklin D. Roosevelt/ Ensemble) is currently an English teacher at Caldwell Applied Sciences Academy. He would love to thank his wife and son for their support and love.
Kate Dillingham (Ensemble) is over the moon to be back on stage! Kate attends Patton High School and dreams of seeing her name in lights one day. With this being her first production with Foothills Performing Arts Center she cannot wait to see all of her new friends in this cast shine! She would love to thank her family, Sonya, Dalton, and Laura for letting her have this amazing opportunity.
Jim Engelman (Lt. Ward/Hull/Ensemble) has been seen in a few shows at FPA, including SOUTHERN FRIED FUNERAL. Jim owns an Edward Jones office in Hudson where he specializes in retirement planning. He would love to thank his wife, Brenda, and daughter, Aubrey, for their support and love while he plays around on stage.
Jazmin Fox (Star To Be/Ensemble) is thrilled to be a part of her second show at FPA! She was most recently seen in Godspell and Sister Act! She has enjoyed working with such a great cast and crew. Her hope is that you all enjoy all the hard work put into this production! She would like to thank her family for always supporting her in everything that she does!
Angie Gragg (Miss Hannigan) has lived and worked in the Caldwell county area for the last 25 years. Theater has been a huge part of her life since she was a small child and is thankful for the theater community in Caldwell and surrounding areas. Angie was most recently on stage at Lenoir Rhyne's NOISES OFF and is excited to return to FPA as Miss Hannigan. She is thankful to be working with this talented cast of children and adults. Angie wants to thank Dalton for the experience and allowing her to bring Miss Hannigan to the FPA stage! She hopes you enjoy this show.
Laura Spencer Hall (Stage Manager) is very thankful to be part of this wonderful production of ANNIE. This show holds a very special place in her heart because it is her sister, Erin’s favorite movie of all times. When Laura isn’t at the theatre, she is the administrative assistant/co-athletic director at Hickory Day School and also loves to attend Broadway shows with her daughter, Kaylyn. Laura would like to express gratitude to her family & friends for their love and support, FPA for giving her this opportunity and also, a special thank you to her bestie, Dalton for always allowing her to be his sidekick.
Kaylyn Hall (Grace Ferrell) is a first-year Theatre Major at Lenoir Rhyne University, and thrilled to perform with this special cast. Recently, she starred as Wednesday Addams in THE ADDAMS FAMILY. Other favorite roles include Medium Alison in FUN HOME, Cynthia Weil in BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL, and Janet in THE DROWSY CHAPERONE. Kaylyn dreams of seeing her name in lights one day and is thrilled to revisit ANNIE, playing a loving, kind-hearted businesswoman after portraying Tessie in 2014. She’s incredibly proud of the orphans, who remind her of herself, and loves them all so dearly.
Misty Harrington (Music Director) is thrilled to be Music Director for ANNIE. She is thankful for this stellar cast and production team! Misty was MD for FPA’s production of GODSPELL. In the same season, she played Maude in HAROLD AND MAUDE for which she won a Willy Award as Best Lead Actress. This is Misty’s 3rd time in ANNIE. More than 20 years ago, she and her Dad’s dog (Lady) performed together @ HCT and OCP as Grace and Sandy. Misty remains grateful to her biggest fan, Rodney. Together, they enjoy playing music, kayaking, hiking and biking in their “spare” time
Tristian Hensley (Rooster) is ecstatic to be returning to the Foothills Performing Arts stage! Previously seen in FPA's production of GODSPELL (Jesus) and last seen in Newton Performance Arts' production of Ken Ludwig's BASKERVILLE (Multiple Roles), he now joins a wonderful cast to help bring a childhood favorite of his to the local stage! He hopes you enjoy the show and someday find your way to Easy Street!
Zmiyah "Z" Hice (Pepper) is 12 years old and attends Heritage Christian School where she is involved in theater, cheerleading, band and chorus. Z absolutely loves everything about community theater, having been in community theater since she was 9 years old. Credits include roles such as Peter Pan in PETER PAN-CSI NEVERLAND, and a seagull and a puffer fish in THE LITTLE MERMAID. She is very excited to be a part of ANNIE, one of her all time favorite musicals! “This production has been so much fun to be in and I can't wait till you see the production!”
Dalton Isaac (Director) is delighted to be back in the director’s chair at FPA! He recently directed GODSPELL, THE GIFT OF THE MAGI and SOUTHERN FRIED FUNERAL at FPA. He also helmed acclaimed productions of A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER, THE DROWSY CHAPERONE and MEMPHIS at HCT. Some other favorite directing credits include WHAT THE CONSTITUTION MEANS TO ME and BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. Performance highlights include FUN HOME, KINKY BOOTS, THE PIRATE QUEEN, THE ADDAMS FAMILY, SWEENEY TODD and WEST SIDE STORY. Dalton has a degree in Theatre from Warren Wilson College and worked as a professional actor and director nationwide for many years before moving back to the area a few years ago. Huge thanks to the FPA board, Laura (his forever theatre sidekick) and to all of you for continuing to support live theatre in Caldwell County!
Ivan Kanagy (Ensemble) is a student at William Lenoir Middle School. He enjoys any opportunity to entertain people and tell stories. He has been a part of countywide performances such as THE WIZARD OF OZ, and 2024 kaleidoscope talent show. He has also made the NC honors chorus twice. Ivan is very excited to be joining this production of ANNIE.
Taylor Kerr (Drake/Bert Healy) is beyond excited to be a part of ANNIE. During the day he works as a pest control technician at Orkin and around Hickory, after hours, you can see him perform all over the surrounding area. His last few credits include Golinski in HTG’s ANASTASIA and Mr. Price in HTG’s production of KINKY BOOTS. ANNIE happened to be Taylor’s first ever musical in school where he played Warbucks. He is excited to revisit the show once again as an adult and wants to thank his friends and family for all their support. He hopes you all enjoy the show.
Paul David Kurts (Oliver Warbucks) is a retired Pastor and U.S. Air Force Officer making his first appearance at FPA. Recent performances include Captain Keller in THE MIRACLE WORKER (HUB), Reverend Moore in FOOTLOOSE (TS) and Grandpa Joe in CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY (HCT). He is grateful for his wife, Emma Lee who inspired him to jump into the magical world of theater. Thank you for coming and enjoy the show
Angie Meadows (Mrs. Greer/Ensemble) is a life-long musical theater fan but this is her first time participating in a stage production. She’s a former Montessori educator and spends her retirement days in the garden, raising monarch butterflies, hiking long-distance trails, and dabbling in creative hobbies like pottery and sewing. Angie’s husband and daughter are definitely her biggest cheerleaders—she sends huge hugs to them both for their encouragement (and endurance of daily ANNIE sing-alongs!)
Kait O’Brien (Duffy) is a 12-year-old honors student at SSLS who’s waited her whole life to be an orphan! She trains at Hickory Ballet & Performing Arts in musical theatre, ballet, and other dance genres. She’d like to thank her family, friends, and teachers for their constant love and encouragement, as well as the cast and crew for making this a memorable experience. She hopes you enjoy the show as much as they’ve enjoyed creating it!
Penni Robbins Robinson (Louise Howe/Ensemble) is performing in her first play in Caldwell County. She appeared in ANNIE GET YOUR GUN at the Parkway Playhouse for the Burnsville Little Theater in Burnsville, NC. Penni is a retired teacher for the state of North Carolina. However, she continues in the field of education as the Testing Coordinator and Curriculum Coordinator for Oak Hill Charter School. Since Penni has a red headed daughter, she could not pass up auditioning for ANNIE.
Lily Vega (July) is a fifth grader at Tabernacle Christian School and is excited to be playing the role of July. She has performed in RUDOLPH THE RED NOSED REINDEER THE MUSICAL (Dolly, the misfit toy). She has a heart for God and serving others. She enjoys playing the piano and sports. Lily would like to thank her family for their support.
Meredith Hall Watson (Annette/Connie Boylan/Ensemble) Meredith was recently seen on the FPA stage as Cathy/Leslie in ALL THE KING’S WOMEN. She is proud to be entering her eighth year of teaching math at Hibriten High School. Meredith is excited for this opportunity, and she would like to thank her family and friends for their support. Meredith would like to remind everyone that no matter how bad things get, "the sun will come out tomorrow!"
Lucy Weaver (Lily St.Regis/Dance Captain) is delighted to join FPA again for another fantastic show. Her last performance at FPA in GODSPELL earned her a Willy Award for Best Character Actress. You may recognize Lucy from some of her most recent performing ventures, such as Nurse Delilah at Lake Hickory Haunts, HORN IN THE WEST(Ensemble), or the titular character in the Appalachian folk story of MUTZ-MAG. Lucy would like to thank the cast and crew for making this holiday season extraordinary!
Kree Williams (Daisy) is a student at Lower Creek Elementary School. She enjoys singing, dancing and basketball. She would like to thank her family for their love, encouragement and support. She would also like to thank Foothills Performing Arts, Dalton and his creative team for the opportunity to participate in such a classic production and for making her first community theater experience so fun and memorable!
Violet Youngsmith (Tessie) is 9 years old and excited to be in her first production with FPA. This is her second time onstage! She was previously in Caldwell County Schools All County Play, THE WIZARD OF OZ in 2023. Violet enjoys dance, acrobatics, and playing with her dog. She has enjoyed rehearsals with her new friends big and small!
Evelynn Yoxall (Molly) is delighted to be making her debut in ANNIE produced by Foothills Performing Arts. Evelynn is homeschooled and has enjoyed doing ballet and tap for the past seven years. She also plays fiddle with the JAM program and sings in the Blue Ridge Youth Voices. Evelynn would like to thank her friends and family for all their support in making her dream to be on stage come true.
TICKETS:
For each show, get tickets at the door or purchase online.
General Admission Tickets*: $15 Adults/$10 Students**
*Credit Card Purchases include a $1 convenience fee.
**Student price available at the door only with valid student ID
There is a special group rate for groups of 10 or more. Please call to make group reservations at (828) 205-0358
For each show, get tickets at the door or purchase online.
General Admission Tickets*: $15 Adults/$10 Students**
*Credit Card Purchases include a $1 convenience fee.
**Student price available at the door only with valid student ID
There is a special group rate for groups of 10 or more. Please call to make group reservations at (828) 205-0358
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This project was supported by the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
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