BEAUTIFUL THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL

and Jimmy Ray Dobbs in Bright Star. Jayden is also a Jimmy Awards Semi-Finalist and a Spotlight Awards Winner. He’s beyond grateful for the chance to work with the amazing team at The Keeton and wants to send love and thanks to his friends, family, and everyone who’s helped him get here.

Hong Kong as well as various other regional theatres. Favorite roles include Belle (Beauty and the Beast), Ella (R&H’s Cinderella), Eponine (Les Miserables), and Ariel (The Little Mermaid). In her spare time, Holli loves working on her Etsy shop, starting a new DIY project, and doing taxes. Forever grateful for her own fairy tale husband, Justin, and the constant support of her family & friends. IG: @hollitriser

musical theatre including Dr. Neville Craven in The Secret Garden (2015), Monostatos in Die Zauberflöte and Don Curzio/Don Basilio in Le nozzle di Figaro in Prague, Czech Republic and Salzburg, Austria (2017); as well as recent performances with Franklin Light Opera including Ralph Rackstraw in HMS Pinafore (2023), Alfred in Die Fledermaus (2024), Frederic in the Pirates of Penzance (2024) and King Kaspar in Amahl and the Night Visitors (2025). He has been a chorus member with Nashville Opera since 2018 and has acted as an understudy to their tenor young artist for two seasons (2019 and 2020).

of her favorite credits include Joanne (Rent), Crystal (Little Shop of Horrors), Aidia (Tim Rice and Elton John’s Aida), Gary Coleman (Avenue Q), and Cordetta (Falsettos).  Miya works as a Vocal Coach in the CFTA Vocal Academy. She wants to thank her mother, her partner Taylor, and the rest of her friends and family for supporting her passions, as well as everyone coming to support the show!

all of his new friends at The Keeton for giving him such a warm welcome and his parents for continuing to come to Nashville to watch him sing and dance. Love you guys!

Captain Keller (The Miracle Worker). Tommy would like to send a special thanks to his family and friends for all their support as he navigated his way through life and back to the stage. Journey on!

practicing the art of puppetry, engrossed in the pages of a book, or designing elaborate sets for the original plays he dreams of writing. Ryman is proud to be part of telling the story of Ragtime and hopes it will inspire understanding and social change.

Flick (A Christmas Story), and Willy Wonka (Willy Wonka). Ayla has also starred in several commercials including Rooms To Go, The Titans, Commerce Bank, Farm Bureau and Peanut Patch Boiled Peanuts. Ayla was born in New York City and has always had a deep passion and love for the performing arts.  Ayla is represented by The Avenue Agency.  

Trip to Bountiful, Argan in The Imaginary Invalid, and Norman in On Golden Pond. Danny has also appeared in productions in Huntsville and New York and performed with Jeannie Seely and Helen Cornelius in Could It Be Love at the Ryman Auditorium, with Jack Carter in A Stoop on Orchard Street, and with Joyce DeWitt in Dearly Departed and A Scattered, Smothered & Covered Christmas. He was a lifetime recipient at the First Night Theatre Honors in 2011. Danny is thrilled to be in the cast of Ragtime, his 10th Keeton show. “Thanks to Mitchell, Roger, Dillon, Donna, Kevin, Brittany, and Alanna for all your support! This performance is dedicated to my parents and to Daryl.” 

the 2025 Gala “Night Under the Stars”. 

Mr Greenway (Elf). He can be heard as the voice of Scuttle in MTI's cast recording of The Little Mermaid. Brian is a Dove Award nominee for the musical Promise U! and his Children’s ministry BB Angelo has ministered at events across the country, including The Billy Graham Kidz Gig. He can be seen in the upcoming feature film The Eye of The Catfish as Dan and is represented by Talent Trek Agency. (www.brianrbest.com)

A Christmas Story the Musical, and as Maud Dunlop and ensemble in The Music Man at The Keeton, Martha in White Christmas, as well as Reneé in The Odd Couple (Female Version) at Lakewood Theatre. She is delighted to be working with the Keeton family once again. This is her ninth show with the Keeton! Usually seen in more lighthearted or humorous roles, she hopes you enjoy her more serious turn as political activist Emma Goldman. 

The Keeton. He is thrilled to have the opportunity to perform with the talented cast and crew for Ragtime and is especially grateful to work alongside his wife, McKenna, who is the show's choreographer. Russel wants to thank "Mr. V." for the chance to be a part of this production and is looking forward to sharing his passion for music and performing with the audience in Ragtime.

 hopes you enjoy the show! Whee! 

the Sun; Lexie in The Dixie Swim Club; and the title role of Aida in Circle Player's production of the Tim Rice and Elton John musical. But her favorite role is being a mom to two of the best kids ever! LaToya has always loved to sing and act, considering every moment onstage a gift and opportunity to bring a little bit of happiness to others. LaToya is excited to be a part of the cast of Ragtime the Musical! Ragtime is a timeless and relevant production, and LaToya feels blessed to be a part of this cast and crew!

Neil Sedaka/Righteous Brother in Beautiful. He would like to thank his family for their constant support of his pursuit of his dreams and his wonderful fiancé Julia for always being by his side! 

All Together Now, as well as a few other productions including Sister Act. His experience on The Keeton stage includes the productions Memphis, Songwriter Night, Music Man, and Beautiful. When he is not on the stage performing, he is working with choirs, leading worship, and teaching voice through his business, Isiah’s Muzik. He is excited to continue his work with The Keeton family in this powerful and magical show. He wants to give a special thanks to God, his family, and production team for the love, support, and trust to take on this project! *Isiah will be performing as Coalhouse on August 17th, 21st and 29th.

Alfred P. Doolittle (My Fair Lady); Jim (Big River); Warbucks (ANNIE); Hoke (Driving Miss Daisy); Delray (Memphis); George (Songwriter Night); Santa Claus (A Christmas Story); A Drifter (BEAUTIFUL: The Carole King Musical); and Larry in Company. Other favorite musical roles: King Triton in The Little Mermaid, Horse in The Full Monty, and Mister in The Color Purple, with Nashville REP last year. It is always a pleasure to perform for such an appreciative audience, especially in a piece like this, that pulls at the threads of some of the issues that are still unraveling our nation 100-plus years after this story is set: racism, xenophobia, the divide between the haves and the have-nots, the lives and votes of some citizens being more valued than others, unequal treatment in the courts, and government servants who are not championing the voices of the people they represent. Enjoy this show, but let it sink in; you’ll see that it’s not some historical drama from eons ago; then IS now. Thanks as always to my Jessica; I couldn’t do this without your love and support!

hope you enjoy the show. 

Actress in a Musical), Lina Lamont in Singin’ in the Rain, Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady, and Cinderella in Into the Woods. She’d like to thank her family and friends for continuing to encourage her to grace the stage, her dog Rhiannon for being cute, and her Keeton family for their constant love and support. Enjoy the show!

vibrant city she now calls home. She sends heartfelt thanks to her family, friends, and ministry leaders for their unwavering encouragement and support throughout this journey. Here’s to “the music of something beginning”!

the years! Thank you to Mitchell Vantrease and the whole creative team behind this show! Josie would also like to thank her family and friends for all their support! 

he especially wants to thank his director Mitchell Vantrease for giving him this amazing opportunity.

Family, Friends, and Dog for supporting his passions.

music artist, but both would be great! He hopes to, one day, inspire people with the music he makes. He wants people to feel seen, heard, and let loose when they listen to his music, think Beyonce mixed with Michael Jackson. He absolutely loves choir and theater and hopes to keep doing both for the rest of his life. 

Annie (2022). Makayla is a MJHS Honors student and a member of the MJHS Step Team. She recently earned All-State recognition in the 2025 TN All-State Theatre Auditions. To showcase her passion for singing, she performed at the 2023 Annual CMA Foundation Music Teachers of Excellence gala. Makayla has had prior roles in various Gatlinburg commercials and auditioned for the role of young Aretha Franklin in the 2021 film Respect. She was previously in the West Wilson Festival choir and the Andrew Jackson Eagles Honor Choir where she performed Carrie Underwood’s “Champion” at the 2019 CMA Fest. Makayla has also sung in her church youth choir and has future aspirations of attending an HBCU, becoming an actress, and a Cardiothoracic Surgeon.

like to thank all of her family and friends for their support and helping hands that have made this possible for her! 

A Few Good Men, and George Wilson in The Great Gatsby (Play). CJ loves theater and hopes to get a future in the arts.

of the Hughlett Temple Worship Arts Dance Ministry from 2022 to 2024. Yannie's favorite roles include Kitty Claws (Holiday World Entertainment) and Lady Dahia the Medium Magician's Assistant (Isaiah Daniels Magic's Do Spirits Return?). When not performing, Yannie loves caring for her sassy long-haired guinea pigs, Radni Raqel and Cylena Katrielle.

Social Work in Middle Tennessee. She would like to thank her family and friends for their love, her boyfriend Josh for sharing the stage with her, and her Keeton family for their acceptance and support.

The Sound of Music, Amy credits her husband Jason for his unwavering love, support, and enduring patience throughout her seemingly endless music rehearsals around the house.

this story sparks compassion, discussion, and change. Finally, greatest thanks go to her family for always being her biggest supporters. 

over 40 productions in Tennessee and Arizona. His credits include Fences, A Christmas Story: The Musical, A Few Good Men, The Diary of Anne Frank, A Raisin in the Sun, and more. He is also the creator of the award-winning revue The Soul of Broadway. Now in his fifth year as theater director at Mt. Juliet High School, Mitchell recently received the 2024 Spotlight Award for Outstanding Direction for his production of Bye Bye Birdie. He currently serves on the boards of the Tennessee Theatre Association and the Tennessee Theatre Educators Association, supporting theater education statewide.Mitchell is deeply grateful to his family and friends for their constant encouragement, and thanks Donna and Kevin Driver, the Keeton board, and the entire cast and crew for their dedication and talent. His guiding verse: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” — Philippians 4:13

(pre-production), The Last Five Years (pre-production), Nunsense & Nunsense A-Men (pre-production), Young Frankenstein, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (pre-production), and May We All. He was a pianist for Freaky Friday and Into the Woods. “All my love to Michael, Carys, Carley, Drew and my amazing parents!”

Gaylord Entertainment, Chaffin's Barn, Cat II Productions and Hasbas Productions. McKenna also worked with CenterStage Performing Arts Academy in Gallatin choreographing various shows and recital dances. Some of McKenna’s favorite choreography credits include Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (The Keeton), Sister Act (MJHS Theatre), Memphis! The Musical (The Keeton), Evita (The Keeton), Bye Bye Birdie (MJHS Theatre), Six! The Musical Teen Edition (MJHS Theatre), Beautiful: The Carol King Musical (The Keeton) and, most recently, Guys and Dolls (MJHS Theatre). McKenna would like to thank Mitchell and Donna for the opportunity and her husband, Russel, for all his love and support!

Beautiful the Carole King Musical made her really appreciate all that goes into putting a show together. When offered the role of Stage Manager Brittany jumped at the chance, to not only work with Director Mitchell Vantrease once again but to stretch her theater arms and making sure the show is as amazing as she knows it will be. Brittany appreciates The Keeton for giving her this opportunity and hopes this show touches hearts and minds alike. 

place. He especially loves being able to support the requests of good friend Mitchell and his daughter McKenna as they direct and choreograph this powerful show. Kevin also does some outdoor landscape lighting on the side. If you’re interested in having your house being the prettiest one on the block, let him know.

costumes for The Bell Witch Fall Festival, Springhouse Theatre, Robertson County Players and Act One. She loves the creative collaborative process that comes with designing for both theatre and film. Denese has four amazing children and four adorable grandchildren.

Dick Heard Television Productions, Entertainment Tonight, Ezell-Harding Christian School, Belmont University, Nashville Music Academy, Nashville Philharmonic Orchestra, Music City Brass, weddings and other events. Steve is the owner of Out of This World Productions and co-produced a weekly livestream, Music Saving Musicians, which gave musicians, who were out of work due to the COVID crisis, a platform to perform and earn money. More than $25,000 was raised that went directly to the performing musicians over two seasons.

Company. She’s extremely grateful to be part of this community.

Performing for Musical Theater shows and teaching private lessons in Nashville. As a private instructor in Flute, Clarinet, and Saxophone, Dillon has had students who have made top Honors in District Band and All-State Ensembles. Dillon is also the Director and Conductor of the Central Virginia Community Wind Ensemble which has performed in the Lynchburg Community since 2014. The mission of this ensemble is to create opportunities for musicians to share their gifts and talents with the community while still developing their own musicianship. Dillon is excited to partner with The Keeton in starting The Keeton Community Wind Ensemble this upcoming fall. As a member of the Keeton Theater’s Pit Orchestra, Dillon is thankful for the opportunities that this organization gives to its community and has enjoyed playing for shows here at the Keeton. Ragtime is the sixth show Dillon has played in The Keeton’s Pit Orchestra for and the first show he has helped as Assistant Music Director.

performing, choreographing, directing, and more in Indiana and now in Middle Tennessee. She would like to thank Mitchell and Donna for allowing her to be involved in the telling of this timely and powerful story, and her family and friends for their constant support.