Roald Dahls Matilda The Musical Cast

Harper Hornstein (Matilda) is a 7th grader at St. Albert the Great Catholic School. This is her 3rd show at Mercy Academy. Previous performances include: the Wizard of Oz (munchkin), and Peter Pan (lost boy). A fan of Roald Dahl books, Harper is excited to take Matilda off the page and into an experience for the audience to enjoy! She’d like to thank her family and the Mercy Academy Community for their support.

Cara LaCoe (Miss Agatha Trunchbull) is a Senior at Mercy Academy and Matilda will mark her seventh production with the Mercy Theatre Department! Her previous credits include 9 to 5 (Violet), The Old Man and the Old Moon (Mabelu), Xanadu (Hera/Andrews Sister/Muse), Peter Pan (Starkey), and Liz’s Circus Story (Circus Ensemble). She is the Co-President of the Mercy Theatre Department/Troupe #8112 and a strong believer in the arts as a gateway to community, self-discovery, and personal growth. She would like to thank her family, friends, the cast and crew of Matilda, and all of her other supporters for standing behind her in her decision to continue making theatre and the arts a priority in her life. Matilda’s story was a major part of her childhood, so getting to play Miss Trunchbull is both an absolute honor and a truly full circle moment as she begins to wrap up her years with Mercy Academy Theatre.

Kiera Vaught (Miss Honey/Adult Ensemble) is a senior at Mercy Academy. This is her seventh show here at the academy, her previous shows consists of Liz’s Circus Story (Juggler #1/ Goat/ Ensemble), Peter Pan (Slightly Soiled/ Dance Caption for the Lost Boys), It Came From the Sea (Carrot), Xanadu (Cyclops/ Tube Singer/ Ensemble), The Old Man And The Old Moon (Llewelyn), and 9 to 5 (Kathy/ Swing/ Dance Ensemble). She would like to thank her family for helping her run lines, her friends for their support, her managers at her job for letting her take off work so much to do the show, and the cast of Matilda for creating a wonderful environment Kiera has had the pleasure of working in!

Lizzy Smalley (Ms. Honey/Adult Ensemble) is a Senior at Mercy Academy. Matilda is her seventh show with Mercy Academy, her previous credits being Liz’s Circus Story (Ensemble), Peter Pan (Liza), Cameron The Mango (Jordan), Xanadu (Thetis/Featured Skater/Muse), The Old Man And The Old Moon (Captain/Solomon/Ben/Boatswain One/Singer/Ensemble), and 9 to 5 (Dick/Candy Striper/Dance Ensemble/Swing). She is also Co-President of Troupe 8112 as well as a State Thespian Officer. Additionally, over the summer she attended the Governor’s School for the Arts for Drama in the second session. She would like to thank Ms. Simmons, Mrs. Fulton, Mr. Walker, Jess, and Katie for their endless support! Lizzy could not be happier to be sharing this production with you and she hopes you enjoy the show!

Elle Kennedy (Mr. Wormwood/Dance Captain/Student Choreographer) is a junior at Mercy and this is her seventh Mercy Theatre Production. Her previous shows are The Wizard of Oz (Poppy), Peter Pan (Warrior), Cameron the Mango (Claire), Xanadu (Tube Singer), The Old Man and the Old Moon (Lead Guitarist/Rebel #2/Mickey), and 9 to 5 (Dwayne/Dance Captain). She is so thankful for her family, friends, cast mates, directors, and choreographers. Secondly, she is so proud of the amazing cast and crew and all of the hard work they’ve put into this show. Lastly, she is so excited to be a part of another Mercy production and for you to see this incredible show!

Karsyn Gregory (Mrs.Wormwood) is a senior at Mercy Academy and is so grateful for everything that has led her to this role in Matilda! She has been performing for thirteen years, but previously has been seen in: 9 to 5 (Roz/Dance Ensemble), The Old Man and the Old Moon (Callahan), Xanadu (Young Danny), Liz’s Circus Story (Circus Ensemble), and this is Karsyn’s second year on the media team for Troupe 8112. Much apologies to Harper for being a horrible mother, but a ginormous thank you to my family and the cast/crew of Matilda. Hope everyone enjoys my sad excuse for a cockney accent!

Tristan Meredith (Michael Wormwood/ Dance Ensemble) is a Freshman at YPAS and Matilda will be his debut performance with the Mercy Theatre Department! His previous credits include Disney’s Descendants The Musical (Prince Ben/ Auradon Student), Appropriate Audience Behavior (Hamlet) and Shrek Jr (Guard/Knight) at Western Middle School for the Arts. He most recently won first place in the Louisville Children’s Film Festival with his group's original short film T-Rex & Tie-Fighter: Broken Friends. In his down time, Tristan loves to hang out with his YPAS Theater Department friends. Tristan would like to thank his family, friends and teachers for all their support over the years, especially Mr. Rahe (WMSFA). And as always, Tristan asks that you make sure to support your public radio stations!

Milo Kroll (Rudolpho, Dance Ensemble) is an 8th grader at Western Middle School for the Arts and Matilda the Musical is his first production with Mercy Academy. His previous credits include The Little Mermaid Jr (Backstage Crew), Frozen Jr (The Duke of Weselton), Alice in Wonderland (The Dormouse), Appropriate Audience Behavior (Bradford), and Descendants: The Musical (Jafar). He has been in love with theater for ten years and hopes to continue on the path of musical theatre. He would like to thank his family, friends, and his elementary theater teacher Mr. Price for pushing him to continue mastering his talent. He's very happy with his role and hopes he can portray the style, flashiness and overall loud character of Rudolpho well, as he has been the same on and off the stage for as long as he can remember.

Mavyn Isabella Hasch (Ericka) is 11 years old and was born on September 26, 2011 in Louisville, KY. She lives with her mom, dad, and younger brother in a neighborhood just outside of Jeffersontown. She is a fifth grader at St. Micahael’s. Mavyn’s interests are reading, drawing, anime, and of course, theater. She once performed and sang as Ursula in a school talent show.

Emma Bruce (Kids Ensemble) is a 5th grade student at Bates Elementary School. She is so excited to be a part of Matilda at Mercy Academy. Emma has also been seen in How I Became a Pirate (Barnacle Brenda), Broadway Beat (Emma), and The Addams Family, Jr. (Grandma Addams). She enjoys singing and dancing with her friends at Dancensation. Emma would like to thank her family and everyone who supported her.

Lane Forst (Alice, kids ensemble) is an eighth grader at St. Martha Catholic School. This is her first show at Mercy Academy and she is excited for her debut. Previously, she’s performed in Annie (orphan) and was cast in High School Musical (ensemble). Lane would like to thank her family for their unconditional love, her best friends for coming to the show and for their undying support, and the Matilda cast and crew for the amazing memories!

Lilly Shepherd (Lavender) Lilly is so happy to be performing at Mercy in her 3rd production! Lilly is a 8th grader at Our Lady of Lourdes School, a student at Dancensation Studios for 9 years, and an actor with Heyman Talent here in Louisville. Lilly’s previous theatre performances include; The Wizard of Oz (Munchkin), and Peter Pan (Tinkerbell) at Mercy, and Shrek (Young Fiona/Little Red) at Trinity HS. Lilly hopes to pursue theatre in high school!

Abby Herm (Tommy) is a freshman at Mercy Academy and is so excited for Matilda! This is her first show at Mercy Academy. Previous shows include: Honk! jr the musical (Cat), Wind in the Willows (ensemble), and Fiddler On the Roof jr ( Grandma Tzeitel & Shprintza.) She loves this cast so much and can’t wait for opening night! She also wants to thank her cast mates for making every day at rehearsal so much fun!

Kyran Kennedy (Nigel) Is a 13 year old from Louisville,KY attending Western Middle School For the Arts. He enjoys spending time with family on the holidays and eating pizza. Kyran has been in pageants, dance performances & talent shows. He has performed in AristoCats Jr (Wacky Cat); Frozen Jr. (Kristoff); Best Christmas Pageant Ever (Baby Angle & Charlie); and Kinky Boots (Simon/Lola); Descendants Jr. (Back stage crew) and Wizard of Oz (Lollipop guild). He is excited about being a part of Matilda as Nigel

Hadley Jacobs (Kids Ensemble) is a 3rd grader at Lowe Elementary School and is very excited to be making her Mercy Academy debut in Matilda! Hadley has also been seen in The Jungle Book Jr. (Baloo), Broadway Beats (Hadley), How I Became a Pirate (Eye Eye Eileen) and The Addams Family Jr. (Pugsley). She studies voice, dance, and musical theater at Dancensation Studios. Hadley would like to thank the cast and crew of Matilda for making this such a fun experience!

Bonham Murphy (Bruce) is an 8th grader at Western Middle School for the Arts. Beginning at age 4, he was determined to be on stage acting in plays and musicals. Bonham has starred as “Jojo” in Seussical the Musical Jr., “Flotsam” in The Little Mermaid Jr., and “Olaf” in Frozen Jr. at Lincoln Elementary Performing Arts School, “Leroy” in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever at Stage One Family Theater, and “Doug” in The Descendants at Western Middle School for the Arts. You can also hear Bonham on the radio station WFPL as “Owen” in a recording of A Child’s Christmas in Wales. Bonham is really enjoying his time at Mercy Academy with Ms. Simmons and the cast and crew of Matilda!

Meghan Emrich (Amanda) is a junior at Mercy Academy. This is her seventh production at Mercy Academy. Her previous shows with Mercy were The Wizard of Oz ( A Poppy), Peter Pan (Pirate) , Cameron the Mango (Cameron), Xanadu ( Ensemble and Featured Singer), The Old Man and the Old Moon (Llewellyn, Patron, Mickey), Nine to Five (Josh, Bob, Dance Ensemble). She also is a part of NHS, environmental ambassadors, animal care society, RHOKAPPA, and likes to play her ukulele and hang with her dogs. She is so happy to be a part of this wonderful show and an even more wonderful cast. She would like to give a big thank you to her sister Catherine and her mom and dad. Without them, she wouldn’t know where she’d be. She’d also like to give a big thanks to all her friends who have been with her through it all. She hopes that everyone enjoys the show!

Caroline Willen (Hortensia, Kid Ensemble) is a 6th grader at St. Martha. This is her first production at Mercy Academy and she is so excited to be part of such a fun show. Previously, she has performed in Lion King Jr. (Zazu), Schoolhouse Rock Live! Jr. (Dina), Annie (orphan), and Madagascar Jr. (lemur). Some of her favorite things include dance, musical theater, and reading. She would like to thank her parents for driving her to rehearsals and encouraging her in everything she does. She hopes everyone enjoys the show!

Makenna Dixon(Mrs.Phelps) is a senior at Mercy Academy. This is her 3rd production with Mercy. She was a part of 9 to 5(Missy) and Alien Monster Bowling League(Sally). She is thrilled to be apart of Matilda. She wants to give a big shoutout to her family who has continued to support her throughout her crazy rehearsal schedule and long performances. She hopes you enjoy all the hard work the cast and crew put into the show.

Madison Cole/Gerty:(Escapologist, Dance Ensemble) is a sophomore at Mercy Academy and Matilda will be her third show with Mercy Theater. Her previous credits include, The Old Man and the Old Moon(ensemble), 9 to 5(dance ensemble). She is very excited to share this fun whimsical story with everyone. She would also like to thank her friends and family for supporting her with her busy theater schedule and other shenanigans.

Chloe Dunaway (Acrobat and Dance Ensemble) is a sophomore at Mercy Academy. This is her 5th show in Mercy Theatre. Others include the Wizard of Oz (ensemble), Peter Pan (ensemble), The Old Man and The Old Moon (ensemble), and 9 to 5 (Maria and ensemble). She hopes everyone will enjoy the show!

Abigail Newkirk (Sergei, Adult Ensemble) is a junior at the Mercy Academy and this is her fifth show at Mercy. Her previous shows consist of 10 Minute Plays (Nelson), Xanadu (Ensemble/Arrow), The Old Man and The Old Moon (Cookie/Ensemble), and 9 to 5 (Tinsworthy, Ensembke. She is the Outreach Coordinator for Mercy Theatre and she loves being so closely involved with the community. She has loved all the memories she’s made with her friends and all the laughs she gets to cherish forever. She would like to thank her family, friends, and the seniors for being amazing role models to the department. She would also like to give a big thanks to Ms. Simmons for always pushing her beyond her limits.

Olivia Bell (Doctor/Henchman #1/Adult Ensemble) is a junior at Our Lady of Mercy Academy and this is her fourth Mercy Theatre production. Her previous shows at the academy include Cameron the Mango (Toucan), Xanadu (Lighting Designer), the Old Man and the Old Moon (Boatswain#2/Bartley/Sailor), and 9 to 5 (Margaret/Ensemble). She is not only involved in Mercy Theatre’s productions, but also multiple art clubs. Such as being the president of Jaguar Comics and a member of NAHS, and many other clubs. She also takes Mandarin Chinese on the side. Olivia is proud to not only be a part of this production, but the Mercy Theatre department as a whole. She would like to say a special thanks to her parents for encouraging her interests in theatre and her ragtag group of friends, whom have given her a place to relax and vent about how there are too many Treaties of Paris. She hopes that you will enjoy the show as much as she has and will continue to support Mercy theatre as a whole.

Katie Falls (Adult Ensemble) is a Freshman at Mercy Academy. This is her second Mercy Theater production and she is looking forward to participating in many more in the coming years. She was previously in 9 to 5 (ensemble). She is so excited to be a part of such an amazing cast and crew!

Brianna Shanks (Henchman 3/ Judge/ Adult ensemble) is a sophomore at Mercy Academy. This is her fourth production at Mercy Academy, others included Peter Pan (Ensemble), The Old Man and the Old Moon (Ensemble), And Peter Pan (Intern). She is so happy to be back in this production and can’t wait for everyone to see how amazing and magical it has become.

Kiley Sullivan (Adult Ensemble) is a sophomore at Mercy Academy. While this is her first theatrical performance at Mercy, Kiley brings extensive experience from choral productions. She is excited to be taking part in the fall production and is inspired by the terrific cast and crew of the show. She is so grateful for Mrs. Simmons for this opportunity, for the cast and crew for their daily collaborative support, and for her friends and family’s encouragement to step out of her comfort zone and into the spotlight. Kiley hopes to continue to bring her best to every rehearsal and show.

Delaney Lulla (Adult Ensemble) is a freshman at Mercy Academy. This is her second Mercy theater production. Previous shows she has been in include Beauty and the Beast (one of the three sisters), and 9 to 5 (ensemble). She is beyond excited to be apart of this wonderful show and can not wait for the experiences that have yet to come not only with the cast/Mercy family, but also the magic this show will bring!

Brooke Coleman (Adult Ensemble) is a freshman at Mercy Academy and is 14 years old. This is her third show with Mercy. She's been in Wizard of Oz (munchkin), 9 to 5 (Ensemble), and Ghost girl (Trinity follows). Brooke’s so happy to be in the wacky musical and getting to learn more about it, she’s also happy to be able to spend time with her friends and can’t wait for the next show!

Gretchen Crawford (Dance Ensemble) is a freshman at Mercy this year and is so excited to be a part of Matilda! Other shows she has been in at Mercy Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (ensemble), The Wizard of Oz (ensemble), and 9 to 5 (ensemble). She is looking forward to her first production as a Mercy student and would like to thank her friends and family for always supporting her!

Kyra Thomas (Dance Ensemble) is a Sophomore at Mercy Academy. This her third production with Mercy Academy. Her other shows included The Old Man and The Old Moon (Ensemble) and 9 to 5 (Ensemble). She would like to thank everyone involved in this production for making this show possible.