Mark is glad to be back on stage with NLT for the first time in a decade, last seen as Charlie (Death of a Salesman).  He was recently seen here on the JCC stage in June with Clayton Theatricals as John Hancock  (1776). He has performed for the last 30+ years throughout the greater Triangle area, primarily with Cary Players, but also other community theaters.  Favorite roles include Jesus (Godpsell), Oliver Warbucks (Annie), Elwood P. Dowd (Harvey), Arvide Abernathy (Guys & Dolls), Editor Webb (Our Town), Clarence (It's A Wonderful Life).  Thanks to Meta and Kathi for the opportunity, and the whole cast and crew for this great experience. In memory of Mom, for the love of theater!

Patrick Brown is thrilled to make his Neuse Little Theatre and JCC stage debut! While he has spent plenty of time behind the scenes helping with props and backstage crew, his past productions include White Christmas, Barefoot in the Park, and Puffs at Benson Little Theater. Patrick first stepped into theater in high school, and he is so glad to have found his way back to the stage after meeting his wonderful boyfriend, Mo, who is also in this production. He is deeply grateful to the friends and family who showed him the ropes and continue to support him. Patrick dedicates the passion in his performance to his incredible friend, Chris—thank you for always being there! Enjoy the show!

Ava Dalton is thrilled to play Edna in her first show with Neuse Little Theatre. Ava is relatively new to performing in Johnston County and has previously played Snow White in a production of Snow White and the Seven Endings with the Unsanctioned Rehearsals Society. Ava would like to thank the wonderful cast and crew of Bright Star for making this production possible.

Kirk Davidson (Doctor Norquist) returns to the NLT stage for the sixth time for Bright Star. Previous roles include Inspector Rough (Angel Street) and Henry Mitchell (Sex Please, We’re Sixty). He was nominated for “Best Supporting Actor” for both of those roles. Other roles include Ozzian Number One (The Wizard of Oz), Townsperson (The Foreigner), and Matthew Cuthbert (Anne of Green Gables), for which he was awarded “Best Actor in a Leading Role.” Davidson also appeared as the Apostle Thomas for two seasons of “The Promise,” an outdoor drama on the life of Christ, way back in the 1900’s, and as The Huntsman in a recent production of “Snow White and the Seven Endings,” a children’s play produced by The Unsanctioned Rehearsal Society, a theater company from Clayton, NC. 
 

He would like to thank Meta Toole, Patsy Castellano, and Kathi Nixon for casting him in this production. He also thanks his wife, Karen for her patience in allowing him to indulge his hankering for acting. 

Sarah has been involved both onstage and behind-the-scenes in community theatre for many years and was most recently seen in the dance ensemble of White Christmas at Benson Little Theatre. Other favorite past productions include Into the Woods (Cinderella), Mary Poppins (Winifred Banks), and Matilda (Miss Honey) at Harnett Regional Theatre. Sarah is delighted to be making her first appearance on the NLT stage in this production of Bright Star.

I was immediately drawn to Bright Star’s bluegrass music and Alice Murphy’s story set in North Carolina. I am especially grateful to my family for encouraging me to audition. What a joy to be part of such a talented cast and crew! Thank you to my family and friends who have shared in my excitement at being included in this production. “You never know what life will bring, only what you bring to life. Hopes and dreams and fine imaginings, they happen in their own good time. “ - Bright Star

Thank you for supporting local theatre! Randy is pleased to be back on stage for Neuse Little Theatre. Randy has acted in 45+ Triangle area productions including 11 for NLT. He has directed productions for Neuse
Little Theatre, Cary Players, Forest Moon Theater, the Fuquay Varina/Holly Springs Arts Centers, and Fellowship Christian Players. Randy thought he had retired from the stage after February 2025, but the love of the art… and
the opportunity to be a part of the genius writing of Steve Martin, and this great story of love & loss, grief & pain, and then…. Love & Redemption was just too strong to deny because… “Truth walks beside us like a shadow, and one day it merges with us. Until it does, we are not truly whole.” Randy thanks Mary his best supporting wife and co-producer of 54 years!

Joyce is thrilled to be a part of the production. She was introduced to Bright Star more than ten years ago, attending a performance at the Kennedy Center. She feels everyone who attends this show will appreciate the beautiful music and the touching story. Thanks to all the talented cast, crew and musicians. 

Zen Kelly is thrilled to have been given the role of Max in the Neuse Little Theatre’s production of Bright Star! She is a 2026 graduate of Corinth Holders High School, where she was in Chorus and Theatre throughout all four years of her enrollment. A few of her previous roles include Christopher Wren in The Mousetrap and The Minstrel in Once Upon A Mattress. More recently, Zen has been helping out backstage at The Neuse Little Theatre as a stagehand in The Odd Couple and Assistant Stage Manager in Alice in Wonderland. Zen would like to dedicate her performance to Kathi Nixon; Thank you for always being a great Teacher, Director, and Friend!

Madison is thrilled to return to Neuse Little Theatre! She was last seen on the NLT stage as Customer/Ensemble in She Loves Me. Other recent credits include Catherine Simms in The Foreigner, Tessie/Dance Ensemble in White Christmas (BLT), and Pinocchio in Shrek the Musical (HRT). Madi would like to dedicate her performance to the memory of her friend, Chris Barnes. His love for this show and the magic he found in theatre will forever inspire me, both onstage and beyond. Madison is incredibly grateful to the cast and crew for bringing this beautiful story to life and thanks everyone who continues to support local theatre.

Dominic MacAulay is having a blast coming back to Neuse Little Theatre for another musical. Having just played the leading man, Georg, in She Loves Me with NLT, he is happy to be co-starring yet again with his lovely wife, Hannah, and friends, Shaun and Maddie. Cheering from home are his two Australian Shepherds, Pepper and Moose, and his hungry cat, Apollo. He hopes to one day be as agreeable as his best friend, Alex, and hopes you enjoy the show. Christ is Lord.

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Hannah MacAulay is thrilled to be playing Margo in Bright Star! Her other notable roles with Neuse Little Theatre include Amalia Balash in She Loves Me and Marcy/Marvalyn in Almost, Maine. She has also appeared in numerous productions around the Triangle, including 2024 Divas at Raleigh Little Theatre. When she’s not onstage, Hannah can usually be found behind the chair at her salon, Beneath the Surface Beauty, curled up with a good book, gaming, or spending time with her husband, Dom, their dogs, and their very spoiled cat. Hannah is incredibly grateful to God for giving her a love for theatre and the opportunity to use the gifts He has given her to tell stories and bring characters to life. She is equally thankful for her family and friends, whose constant love, encouragement, and support make it possible for her to continue pursuing something she loves so dearly. She hopes you enjoy Bright Star and have as much fun watching it as she has had bringing Margo to life!

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Jake was a competitive drama student in high school and went on to work in the ministry as a public speaker for over 20 years. Jake had the privilege to speak in front of audiences all over the country. 

Currently, he is enjoying his time sharing the stage with his son and daughter-in-law, Dominic and Hannah MacAulay. 

Shelby Nix is excited to return to the stage with Neuse Little Theatre in Bright Star, joining the cast as a member of the ensemble. After taking a decade-long break from performing, they’re thrilled to reconnect with a part of themselves they’ve always loved. Shelby performed throughout grade school and high school and is grateful for the opportunity to return to singing and acting. Outside of the theater, they enjoy spending time in their community and connecting with the people around them. They’re excited to be back onstage and hope you enjoy Bright Star!

Tyler is thrilled to be back on stage in his first musical! Tyler has been acting since his freshman year of high school, starring in productions like Clue, You Can’t Take it With You, and Murder on the Orient Express. His time with the Neuse Little Theatre has included productions such as The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, The Lion in Winter, and Arsenic and Old Lace. Tyler spends most of his free time studying hard at NC State University, and spending time with family. He would like to thank the cast, crew, and directors for all of their hard work to make this show a success!

Theressa is thrilled to be back on stage and working with such a talented & dedicated cast & crew. She’d like to thank Meta Toole for the opportunity to be in such a beautiful play. Last appearing on the NLT stage in Steel Magnolias (April 2025), a few other stage credits for Theressa include roles in: The 1940’s Radio Hour, The Man Who Came to Dinner, Moon Over Buffalo, Sex Please, We’re 60, Welcome to Mitford, The Music Man, Last of the Red Hot Lovers, Something’s Afoot, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Good Ol’ Girls, Savannah Sipping Society, Angel Street and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. She resides in Smithfield with her husband Darius and “furbaby” Maggie Mae, and is a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church & Choir of Smithfield. She also serves on the NLT Board of Directors as Vice President & as the Advertising & Publicity Coordinator. Theressa would especially like to thank her husband Darius for his support and encouragement. She would also like to dedicate her performances in loving memory of her sister, Jennifer McDaniels, a proud daughter of Appalachia whose voice, work & spirit reflected the strength and beauty of the Kentucky mountains she loved so dearly.

Kaitlyn is thrilled to be a part of another, Neuse Little Theatre, show. She just completed a show with Clayton Theatricals, 1776, the Musical. Her previous roles with NLT were in One Christmas Eve at Evergreen Mall, Steel Magnolias, and The Wizard of Oz. Outside of the theatre, you can catch her out at JCC’s Howell Woods Environmental Learning Center, where she works as their educator and administrator. Kaitlyn wants to thank her friends and family, especially Brandi who is always her greatest support. 

Molly is thrilled to be making her Neuse Little Theatre debut! Some of her favorite previous credits include, The Rocky Horror Picture Show (Janet Weiss), The Addams Family (Ensemble),  Matilda (Miss Trunchbull), and Men on Boats (Mr. Asa, Puppeter). Molly would like to thank the cast and creative team for making this experience so special. She hopes you enjoy the show!

Mo is glad to finally be on stage at NLT. He is also a Board member of Benson Foundation of the Arts (Benson Little Theater) He has been in shows such as Guys & Dolls, Annie, Putnam County Spelling Bee he also has been backstage in recent shows such as Puffs and Barefoot in the Park. He has helped out as a Costumer/Asst.StageManager/Asst.Director. He is also happy to be sharing the stage with his wonderful boyfriend. These performances go out to a very special friend Chris, you are truly a Bright Star.

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Meta is delighted to bring this production to the local stage for Neuse Little Theatre. A longtime admirer of the show, she has seen it eight times and finds that its themes of love, choices, and redemption resonate deeply with her. The story’s rich Southern culture speaks to her heritage, and she hopes audiences feel the same meaningful connection that has inspired her for so many years. Meta extends heartfelt appreciation to the dedicated cast and crew, whose countless hours of work and creativity have shaped this production with care. She also offers a special thank‑you to Stephen, her steadfast travel companion for every previous staging of the show — a true supporter, bless his Yankee heart. She is grateful to her parents for instilling in her a lifelong love of music and history, passions that continue to guide her artistic work. Meta also thanks the NLT audiences for their unwavering support across 52 remarkable seasons. Their enthusiasm and commitment make it possible for this community theatre to thrive. Enjoy the show.

Kathi has thoroughly enjoyed leading this amazing cast in musical numbers and organizing this talented group of musicians, especially since she's very newly retired from teaching and has all the time in the world!   Besides helping to bring the music together for this production, Kathi is having a blast playing the guitar for the show.   (Looking for guitar lessons?  Look no further!) Thanks to cast, crew, and fellow band members for their time and dedication to this show ... especially thanks to her son Hinton who came down from Asheville to help out his mom. Enjoy the show!  

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