All posts by Chad Hembree

A Community Theater

The Spotlight Playhouse is a community theater at its very heart.  Open auditions are held regularly.

Auditions for The Bluegrass Players Community Theater Troupe. Every show has a recommended age range, which serves more as guidance than a strict rule. Community productions retain only the actors necessary for the performance.

We are also the campus for the Spotlight Acting School. Spotlight Acting School primarily serves students aged 4-18, but it also occasionally presents intergenerational shows. Adult actors volunteering in school productions are not required to pay tuition. The school strives to keep student tuition affordable, with financial aid available. Every student is guaranteed a role. Enrollment is straightforward and can be finalized on the audition day.

Auditions for both groups are hosted on the Spotlight Acting School website and designated by SAS (Spotlight Acting School) or BGP (Bluegrass Players)

Chad Hembree, Executive Director of Spotlight, will gladly answer any questions about joining either group.
chad@spotlightactingschool.com or 859-661-0600

Pay What You Can Performances

The “Pay What You Can” initiative at The Spotlight Playhouse is part of our commitment to making the performing arts accessible to all. These performances allow you to decide the price of your ticket. Whether you use your spare change for an evening of theater or choose to contribute a bit more to help further our cause, every bit counts. Make sure to review the rules below before your visit.

RULES:

  1. “Pay What You Can” performances usually take place on Friday evenings for applicable productions.
  2. Unsold tickets will be made available online or at the box office two hours before the performance starts, on a first-come-first-served basis.
  3. Tickets purchased under the “Pay What You Can” initiative are non-transferable and cannot be resold.
  4. All ticket sales are final and non-refundable.

Something Rotten JR (Nov 7-16)

🎭 Something Rotten Jr. 🎭
Presented by: Spotlight Acting School
Ages: 14-18
Show Description:
Set in 1595, Something Rotten Jr. follows the Bottom brothers—Nick and Nigel—two playwrights struggling to compete with the rock-star playwright of their time, William Shakespeare. When a soothsayer predicts that the future of theater involves singing, dancing, and acting all at the same time, Nick sets out to write the world’s very first MUSICAL! With big laughs, catchy songs, and plenty of theatrical inside jokes, this show is a hilarious love letter to Broadway itself.
Packed with show-stopping numbers and clever wordplay, Something Rotten Jr. celebrates the joy of theater while poking fun at everything from Shakespeare to modern musicals. It’s a riotous comedy that will have audiences of all ages laughing, singing along, and cheering for the underdogs trying to make their mark in the theater world!
Target Audience: Families, theater lovers, and anyone who enjoys clever comedy and Broadway-style entertainment
📅 Performance Dates:
Blue Cast:
  • Friday, November 7, 2025 at 6:00 PM
  • Saturday, November 8, 2025 at 6:00 PM
  • Sunday, November 9, 2025 at 2:00 PM


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Purple Cast:
  • Friday, November 14, 2025 at 6:00 PM
  • Saturday, November 15, 2025 at 6:00 PM
  • Sunday, November 16, 2025 at 2:00 PM


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A Christmas Carol (Nov 14-23)

🎭 The Spotlight Acting School presents: 🎭

A CHRISTMAS CAROL
Charles Dickens’ timeless tale follows the transformation of Ebenezer Scrooge from a bitter, miserly businessman to a generous, kind-hearted soul after he is visited by three spirits on Christmas Eve. This beloved holiday classic brings the magic of redemption and the spirit of Christmas to life on our stage in ways that will leave audiences absolutely spellbound! ✨🎄

Why This Will Be A Performance To Remember:
Our exceptional 14-18 year old performers are about to deliver something truly extraordinary! When our advanced age group takes on a classic like A Christmas Carol, magic happens! 🌟

This is why our advanced students are the pride of Spotlight Acting School – they don’t just perform, they transform stories into experiences that touch hearts and change lives!

PURPLE CAST

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BLUE CAST

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Faith, Laughter, and Love: A Christmas Celebration (NOV 21-30)

Faith, Laughter, and Love: A Christmas Celebration
featuring Black and Blue Friday & The Gift of the Magi

One ticket gets you BOTH shows in one unforgettable evening!

This Christmas season, join us for an unforgettable evening that captures the true heart of the holidays. Faith, Laughter, and Love brings together two powerful stories that will lift your spirits, warm your heart, and remind you what Christmas is really all about. In one special evening, experience both side-splitting comedy and touching drama: two shows that celebrate faith, family, and the greatest gift of all: love.

Black and Blue Friday will have you laughing until your sides hurt as a simple country family accidentally stumbles into the chaos of Black Friday shopping at a big city mall. When the Plunkett family (led by the outspoken Aggie and her no-nonsense husband Floyd) ends up in the middle of frenzied shoppers, mall security, and holiday madness, hilarity ensues. This heartwarming Christian comedy reminds us that the best gifts can’t be bought in stores, and that family, faith, and laughter are what truly matter during the Christmas season. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the commercial chaos of the holidays, this show will help you laugh at the madness and refocus on what’s real. It’s the perfect antidote to holiday stress: pure joy wrapped in down-home humor.

The Gift of the Magi is a timeless tale of love and sacrifice that has moved audiences for over a century. Young newlyweds Jim and Della face their first Christmas together with almost nothing in their pockets but everything in their hearts. Each secretly sacrifices their most precious possession to buy the perfect gift for the other, only to discover that true love isn’t measured by what we give, but by what we’re willing to give up. This beautiful adaptation of O. Henry’s classic story will touch your soul and remind you of the profound beauty of selfless love. If you’re searching for meaning this Christmas, if you need to be reminded that love is the greatest gift, or if you simply want to feel the warmth of the season deep in your heart, this story will restore your faith in what matters most. It’s a gentle, powerful reminder that we are richest when we give from the heart.

Perfect for groups! Bring your church group, friend group, family gathering, or office party for an evening that everyone will love. With both comedy and heartfelt drama in one ticket, there’s something for everyone, and the shared experience of laughter and tears makes it an ideal group outing.

Come celebrate the season with us. Bring your family, bring your friends, and leave with your heart full of faith, your face sore from laughter, and your spirit renewed by love. This is Christmas as it should be.


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An Old Time Christmas Radio Show (Nov 30)

Performance Date:
Sunday, November 30th – 4:00 pm

Step back in time to the golden age of radio and experience Christmas as families did during the 1940s! An Old Time Christmas Radio Show is a nostalgic tribute to the beloved WWII-era variety shows that brought joy, laughter, and holiday cheer into living rooms across America.
Watch the magic happen right before your eyes as our talented cast of actors, singers, and foley artists bring a live radio broadcast to life on stage. You’ll see how sound effects were created in real-time—from footsteps on gravel to sleigh bells in the snow—while classic Christmas stories, festive music, and heartwarming skits transport you to a simpler time when families gathered around the radio to celebrate the season together.

This charming production captures the warmth and wonder of old-fashioned Christmas entertainment, complete with vintage commercials, caroling, and the kind of wholesome humor that reminds us why these shows became cherished holiday traditions. Whether you remember listening to radio shows yourself or you’re discovering this piece of Americana for the first time, you’ll be enchanted by the creativity, talent, and pure Christmas spirit that fills every moment.

Perfect for all ages, An Old Time Christmas Radio Show is a delightful way to start your holiday season. Bring the whole family and create new memories while celebrating the timeless traditions that have warmed hearts for generations. It’s Christmas magic, 1940s style!


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TWAS THE WEEK AFTER CHRISTMAS (Dec 5-7)

🎄 ‘TWAS THE WEEK AFTER CHRISTMAS ✨

A Spotlight Acting School Holiday Musical
Get ready for a delightful holiday musical! ‘Twas the Week After Christmas takes audiences on a heartwarming post-holiday adventure filled with catchy songs, festive fun, and plenty of laughs. This Beat by Beat Press musical is perfect for spreading holiday cheer and showcasing our talented students!
Join us for this enchanting holiday production that captures the magic and wonder of the days following Christmas. Our young performers will bring this charming story to life with beautiful music, creative choreography, and heartfelt performances that will warm your heart during the holiday season! 🎁🎵
📅 PERFORMANCE DATES: December 5-7, 2025
🌟 FEATURING:
  • Catchy holiday songs and musical numbers
  • Heartwarming post-Christmas storytelling
  • Creative choreography and festive costumes
  • Talented Spotlight Acting School students
  • Perfect family-friendly holiday entertainment
Don’t miss this delightful holiday musical that celebrates the joy and magic that continues long after Christmas morning!


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Little Women: Christmas at the March House (DEC 5-13)

Little Women: Christmas at the March House
Presented by: The Bluegrass Players

🎭 PERFORMANCE DATES:
December 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 2025

📍 The Spotlight Playhouse
214 Richmond Road, Berea, KY

❄️ Step into the warmth of the March family home this Christmas Eve! Experience the magic of Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy as they gather by the fire with little money but plenty of love. Through heartfelt moments, cherished letters from their father away at war, and acts of kindness that light up the darkest winter night, this original adaptation captures the timeless spirit of Louisa May Alcott’s beloved characters.
From humble beginnings to unexpected blessings, witness the power of sacrifice, sisterhood, and the simple gifts that mean the most. This intimate holiday tale will remind you that the greatest treasures are found in love and family.

✨ Perfect for the whole family! ✨
A heartwarming Christmas tradition begins! 🎄


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The Christmas Showcase 2025: A Merry Mishap (Dinner Theater Experience) (DEC 19-21)

🎄✨ The Christmas Showcase 2025: A Merry Mishap ✨🎄

Presented by: The Bluegrass Players

All seats are ADA Wheelchair accessible.

Theater: The Spotlight Playhouse, Berea, KY

📅 Performance Dates:December 18, 19, 20, 21 (Thursday-Sunday)(Thursday, December 18th available if other performances sell out)
(Do you have the specific performance times for each date?)
Show Description:

Get ready for an unforgettable holiday experience with a twist! The Bluegrass Players are presenting the Christmas Showcase—a musical and variety show featuring all your favorite holiday characters. But when something goes terribly wrong, the show is in jeopardy! The audience must jump in to help solve the mystery, save the performance, and figure out what happened before it’s too late! 🎅🔍

This highly interactive dinner show invites guests to become part of the story as they work together to crack the case while enjoying a traditional Christmas feast. It’s a show within a show that brings new fun and excitement to our traditional Christmas Showcase! With audience participation, holiday surprises, beloved Christmas characters, and plenty of laughs throughout the evening, this all-new production promises to create memories that will last long after the final bow! 🌟🎭

🍽️ Festive Holiday Dinner Menu

Dietary Options Available:

  • Gluten-Free
  • Vegetarian

Target Audience: Perfect for families, holiday parties, and anyone looking for a unique and interactive Christmas celebration with delicious food, festive fun, and mystery-solving excitement!

📞 Reservations & Info:
Call the Box Office at 859-756-0011 or visit TheSpotlightPlayhouse.com


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Disney’s My Son Pinocchio JR. (JAN 9-18)

🌟✨ Disney’s My Son Pinocchio Jr. ✨🌟
Presented by Spotlight Acting School
Ages 9-14

🎪 ABOUT THE SHOW:
Step into the enchanting world of Geppetto’s workshop where wooden puppets come to life! Disney’s My Son Pinocchio Jr. is a beloved tale bursting with heart, humor, and unforgettable songs that will have audiences believing in the power of dreams. Follow the mischievous Pinocchio as he learns what it truly means to be “a real boy” with the help of the wise Blue Fairy and his conscience. 🦗💙

From cunning foxes to magical transformations, from Pleasure Island adventures to daring whale escapes, this production sparkles with colorful, whimsical characters and iconic Disney magic. Every performer shines in this heartwarming story about growing up, making mistakes, learning from them, and discovering what really matters. With amazing ensemble moments, beloved songs everyone knows and loves, and that timeless message about bravery, truth, and love, this show promises to create memories that will last a lifetime! 🎭⭐

🎟️ PERFORMANCE DATES:
🔵 Blue Cast: January 9, 10, 11 (Fri-Sun)
🟣 Purple Cast: January 16, 17, 18 (Fri-Sun)

🎯 TARGET AUDIENCE:
Perfect for families with children of all ages who love classic Disney stories and magical theater experiences!

BLUE CAST

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PURPLE CAST

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