Legally Blonde Cast
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Lyra Sagez
Lyra is delighted to be taking the stage in her first Encore production!! Lyra has been doing shows her whole life and currently lives in Evansville, IN. This is actually her second time playing the role of Elle Woods! She feels an extreme connection to the role! Her last production before this, she played Janis in Mean Girls the Musical!! She is going into her Sophomore year at Purdue where is studying Cell, Molecular, and Developmental Biology, she is also a member of the Purduettes!!! She is so grateful to have been trusted with this role amongst a brilliant cast, crew, and team! Snaps!! Enjoy her trip to Harvard!!!
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Turner Vaughn
Turner Vaughn is a three time Tony Award viewing actor from Madisonville, Kentucky. He graduated from Kentucky Wesleyan College (KWC) in 2022 with a Bachelors in Arts for Theatre. He has always had a passion for theatre ever since he saw the original Star Wars trilogy. Over the years, he has played 40+ incredible roles including (but not limited to) Sweeney Todd in Sweeney Todd (KWC, 2022), Nick Bottom in Something Rotten! (Campanile Productions, 2022, Frederick Frankenstein in Young Frankenstein (Campanile Productions, 2023), and Edward Bloom in Big Fish (Encore Musicals, 2024). This is Turner’s third time being in Legally Blonde and he hopes you enjoy the show as much as he has enjoyed revisiting Emmett.
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Abby Clayton
Abby is thrilled to be on the Cannon Hall stage once again with Encore! She has been with Encore since its first summer spectacle debut in 2018, and has loved every moment she spends with her fellow cast members. Her favorite Encore experience was playing Jerusha in "Daddy Long Legs". Abby is currently teaching elementary school theatre, and is working on her Masters in Theatre Education. She also has a BFA in Musical Theatre Performance. Abby has had an absolute blast working on this show, both on stage and behind the scenes, and hopes you enjoy "Legally Blonde"!
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Kaelyn Austin
Kaelyn is so excited to be part of Encore’s production of Legally Blonde The Musical! This is her first show with the company, and the experience has been absolutely amazing. She is currently a college student at Indiana University, going into her second year and majoring in elementary education. This is her first time back on stage since she’s started. Legally Blonde marks her 31st musical ever, and she’s so grateful to continue doing what she loves with such a talented and supportive cast and crew.
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Michelle Trenda
Michelle is like, totally pumped to play Pilar in this production of Legally Blonde! pops bubblegum flips hair She is a graduate of Kentucky Wesleyan College where she earned a Bachelors in Theatre. Instead of boring you with a list of roles she’s previously played, she’d like to encourage you to join in the performing fun! No degree or experience is required to slap on a wig, dance it out, and play pretend with your friends. The point of art isn’t always to make something perfect, it’s the joy you feel while making it that matters. Michelle is so grateful for your support of Encore, and would love for you to spread some love to our friends at Theatre Workshop of Owensboro and Bluegrass Community Theatre.
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Lisa Hatt
A recent transplant from Savannah, GA, Legally Blonde is Lisa's first production with Encore Musicals. Favorite previous roles include Lucille Frank in Parade, Alison in Fun Home, Linda in Evil Dead, and Judy/Ginger in Ruthless! The Musical.
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Jordan Fulkerson
Jordan Fulkerson is a Kentucky-native who now resides in Evansville, Indiana. He took a break from theatre after the pandemic but recently stepped back on to the stage to play his dream role in Next to Normal (Dan) with MCTI. This reignited his love of theatre, and he hasn’t stopped since! Jordan is a school counselor by day and sings with the Evansville Philharmonic Chorus in his free time. Thank you to everyone at Encore for this wonderful and fun opportunity! And thanks to you for coming to support local art!
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Drew Martin
I will be entering my freshman year at the University of Kentucky as a Theatre major in August and this is my first musical with Encore! I absolutely can’t wait to bring this jerk of a character in Warner to life!
Fun Fact: I’m a massive Star-Wars fan
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Mia Monanteras
Mia has been so excited to work with her fellow cast-mates in Legally Blonde. She's currently a student in the nursing program at Western Kentucky University. Last summer she participated in Encore's production of Cinderella and has done a variety of shows in the past. This will be her third show with Encore and her first major role on stage. She wants to thank everyone for coming to see this amazing show!
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Jordawn Howard
Jordawn is thrilled to be back performing with Encore Musicals! Her favorite recent on stage credits have included Henrietta in “Agatha Christie’s The Hollow,” Milky White in “Into the Woods,” Max in “The Play That Goes Wrong,” and Gretchen in “Boeing Boeing.” In recent years, she has lent her talents behind the scenes as a choreographer for productions presented by TWO, Encore Musicals, Kentucky Wesleyan College, and Daviess County High School. When not on stage or incorporating cheerleading stunts into musicals, you can’t catch her because she’s probably across the country judging a cheerleading competition. Love and spirit fingers to this hardworking cast and crew. Love you to the moon, Alice.
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Kat Clark
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Alisa Vigo
Alisa Vigo is excited to be back in Cannon Hall with Encore! She was last seen as Kathy in Encore’s production of 9 to 5. She is grateful for her husband, brother, and close friends for being supportive of her creative outlet while raising her 4 year old strong, independent queen of the house. Other past roles include: Gloria (Encore’s Damn Yankees), Earthworm (Encore’s James and the Giant Peach), Rapunzel (TWO’s Into the Woods), Amalia Balish (BAM’s She Loves Me). Support love, kindness, empathy, the arts, and civil rights for all. Our country and world needs it.
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Keilah Vergason
Keilah is excited to be able to play the part of Delta Nu Sister/Greek Chorus in Legally Blonde The Musical! This is her fourth Encore Musicals production and hopes to be in many more. She is really glad to have such an amazing theatre program here in Owensboro, and is grateful for the people she’s met and the memories she’s made. Past productions include Once Upon a Mattress (Lady Mabelle), The Music Man (Ethel Toffelmier), Footloose (Rusty), Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (Ensemble), Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music (Sister Margaretta), and Rodger’s and Hammerstein’s Cinderella (Ensemble).
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Mackenzie Long
Mackenzie is so excited to be apart of her first ever Encore production! She is from Evansville, IN and has done shows her whole life! In her most recent production she played Gretchen Wieners in Mean Girls the Musical! She just finished her first year at Murray State University as a Music Education major! She is so lucky to have felt so welcomed by the entire cast and crew of this production and looks forward to the future!!! :)
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Max Dubree
Max is proud to be doing his second Encore! show, his first since Damn Yankees in 2021. Max serves as the Assistant Director of Admissions at his alma mater, Kentucky Wesleyan College, where he was first introduced to the Owensboro theatre scene. As he has done Legally Blonde once before, he couldn't resist the opportunity to come back and reprise one of his favorite roles...guess you'll have to wait and see which one!
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Jim Wilhoyte
I was self employed for 42 yrs and retired in 2017. A founding board member of Encore Musicals, and try and build the set for them. Didn't get into theater until I was 53 and "Music Man" was my first on stage experience, then the bug bit me hard. Been doing theater ever since either singing backstage, being on stage or building sets. Thanks to my wife, girls and grandkids for putting up with me.
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Leah-Marie McDivitt
Thrilled to be part of this fantastic cast and crew. Mother to 3 amazing kids, GaGa to 4 beautiful grandkids & 2 grand pups, her favorite past roles include, Anna (King and I), Rose (Secret Garden), Gulch/Wicked Witch (Wizard of Oz), Meg Boyd (Damn Yankees), Arlene (Baby), The Baker’s Wife (Into the Woods), Bobby Donna (Smackdown for the Christmas Crown Series), Woman 2 (I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change), & too many others to mention. Many thanks and appreciation to this creative team. To my love, Stan, for the constant love and support, you are my rock!
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Owen Frakes
Owen is an interactive media enthusiast who also enjoys acting. In this production of Legally Blonde he plays Nikos, a vaguely European pool boy witness. Now a DCHS graduate, the highlight of his senior year was acting in a competitive production called The Coloring Book, where they managed to win regional, win state, and place 3rd at SETC. Now he just acts for fun, and finds creative names for his hobbies.
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Nate Watson
Legally Blonde is Nate’s second show with Encore and he is so excited for everyone’s hard work to pay off. Last summer Nate was in the ensemble for Cinderella and couldn’t wait to do it again this year. Nate graduated from Daviess County High School in 2024 and will be going into his sophomore year at the University of Louisville where he is pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing. Finally, Nate would like to shoutout all of those who have stood by him through his years of performing, whether on stage or on the marching band field, he couldn’t do it without your endless support!
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Miller Pogue
Miller has been performing with Encore Musicals since 2019 and is beyond excited to bend and snap his way back on stage with this fabulous cast and crew. When he’s not on stage, he’s solving and studying equations, catching up with friends, or planning his next adventure. Miller sends thanks to his family and friends for all their love and support.
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Josie Siddons
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Ava Hall
Ava Hall is 19 years old and working full time at the Owensboro Museum of Science and History and is going to school part-time to become an elementary school teacher! She would also like to go to school for film eventually as she has been doing theatre her entire life and has done professional filming and modeling on occasion. She has a strong passion for children and loves to babysit as well on the side. This is her first time performing Legally Blonde and is very excited!
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Nandy Shemwell
Description goes hereNandy is beyond excited to part of legally blonde! Nandy is a born and raised right here in Owensboro KY! Nandy was last seen as George in Carrie the Musical with KWC! His past roles include George (Carrie), Francisco/Player 1 (hamlet) Phil (summer shorts)! He likes to thank the cast and crew, his parents, and friends for supporting him! Fun fact: this is Nandy's first Musical with Encore!
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Joe Bob Pierce
Joe Bob performs regularly for Encore Musicals and feels very lucky to join this talented cast in another signature Encore summer show! Now a retired therapist, he spends time playing bluegrass music, assisting the staff at Third Baptist Church, serving on the Encore board, and telling good jokes.
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Harmony
Harmony Jane is a 1.5 yr old Australian Shepherd, trained by owner/trainer Mandy Miller with Positive First dog training LLC. This is Harmony’s debut on the big stage, but she is a trained service dog and can be seen competing in Agility, Dock Diving and performing alongside her owner Mandy in their many canine training endeavors!
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Luke
Luke is excited to be back on stage. Previous roles include Sandy in Annie Jr. He wants to thank his dads for supporting his acting career and hope they bring more snacks next time.
Production Team
Director - Preston Middleton
Music Director - Susan Dant
Choreographers - Laura Staffeld & Jordawn Howard
Production Manager - Ciara Khan
Stage Manager - Janice Eaves
Set Construction - Jim Wilhoyte, Jim Ivy, Phillip Poe
Set provided by Front Row Theatricals
Lighting Design - Jacob Allen & Justin Miller
Sound Design - Ben Goodwin
Marketing/Social Media - Shelby Rhoades
Poster Design/Photography - Kevin Brown
Wigs/Costumes - Abby Clayton
Crew - Alex Hamilton, David Roberson, Phillip Poe, Charlie Poe, Jess Embry, Aiden McGraw, Jessica Fogle
Encore Musicals Board of Directors
Susan Dant
Jake Deitz
Emily Malone
Candy Miller
Lore North
Kim Norton
Joe Bob Pierce
David Roberson
Rebecca Volk
Jim Wilhoyte
2025 Sponsors
Platinum Sponsor
Silver Sponsors
Comfort Design Heating & Cooling
David & Nancy McCollough
Janet Corum
Additional Sponsors
Joyce Edwards
Glen & Elaine Armstrong
Bronze Sponsors
Ken & Sarah Wilhelm
Special Thanks
Third Baptist Church
Donatos Pizza on Parrish Ave. for cast meals
Bluegrass Bourbon Dessert Bar
Positive First Dog Training
John Calhoun
Justin Miller
Jacob Hein, DCHS
Encore’s 2025 Season
Anne of Green Gables: The Musical
September 26th, 27th & 28th
Jack T. Wells Activity Center