Joshua Peterson (Director) is a Texas transplant via Paris and New York but is now proud to claim Knoxville as his home. Prior to moving to Knoxville, Joshua served as the Artistic Director of Firebone Theatre Company in New York City. Joshua received his MFA in Acting from Southern Methodist University in Dallas. He also holds a BA in Theatre from Oklahoma Baptist University. Between pursuing his degrees Joshua spent two years living and working for a humanitarian aid organization outside of Paris, France. He made his Knoxville acting debut in Clarence Brown Theatre’s A Christmas Carol. Other Selected Regional Acting credits include Measure for Measure and Much Ado About Nothing (Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival), Barry Love in House and Garden (Theatre Three), Gail in Our Lady of 121st Street (Kitchen Dog Theatre) and Jon in Tape (Dallas Theatre Center.

Emily Ernst (Associate Director/Choreographer/Movement Director) is a Lecoq-trained actor, director, movement director, and co-founder and Artistic Director of the Dallas-based ensemble theatre company, Fair Assembly. She served as the Associate Director of Flatwater Shakespeare Company and taught acting and directing at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Emily currently serves as the Associate Artistic Director of Teatro Dallas and teaches Advanced Acting at Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. She has previously held staff positions at the Lincoln Playhouse in Nebraska, Cry Havoc Theater Company in Dallas and Theatre for a New Audience in New York City. She studied movement at L’École internationale de théâtre in Paris from 2017-2018, and received her BFA in Acting from SMU in 2008. www.fairassembly.com

Jessica Klus (Stage Manager)  is so incredibly excited and grateful to be working on her first production with River and Rail Theatre Co! As a recent graduate of The University of Tennessee Knoxville’s Theatre department, Jess has had the privilege of working on productions such as A Christmas Carol, The Madwoman of Chaillot, the world premiere of People Where They Are, and She Kills Monsters to name a few. In her free time, Jess enjoys reading, writing, board games, trivia, coffee, and spending time with her adorable orange tabby Kenobi. She would like to thank her parents and friends for supporting her passion for the arts, all of her professors from UTK’s Department of Theatre, and Patrick Lanczki for taking the time and effort to help her grow as a stage manager. She hopes you enjoy the show!

Amelia Peterson (Scenic Designer) is proud to be from Knoxville, and after living in Texas, D.C. and NYC, she and her husband Joshua returned to Knoxville to found River & Rail Theatre Company. Local directing credits include EVERY BRILLIANT THING (River & Rail Theatre Co.), and THE UNUSUAL TALE OF MARY & JOSEPH’S BABY (River & Rail Theatre Co. – 2016, 2017, 2018). In New York, she co-directed the world premiere of MORBID POETRY at the Incubator Arts Project and a folktale adaptation series LONG, LONG AGO with Firebone Theatre Company. She has also directed new works for the Kennedy Center’s Page to Stage Festival (Washington, DC), and the Inkwell Theatre’s Showcase Reading Series (Washington, DC). Amelia’s film credits include GHOSTLIGHT (co-director), and WHIPOORWILL (screenwriter).  Amelia is also a birth doula and a mother of three incredible children. 

Jordan Vera (Lighting Designer) Originally from Miami, Florida, Jordan Vera resides in Knoxville after completing his MFA in Lighting Design at the University of Tennessee. He has had the opportunity to work for the Miami Summer Opera Festival, the Clarence Brown Theatre, Oak Ridge Playhouse, Contemporary American Theatre Festival, Cincinnati playhouse at the park, Flying Anvil Theatre, and North Carolina stage Co. Some of his design work includes Detroit 67 (Clarence brown theatre) I and You (Flying Anvil Theatre) Stones in his pockets (North Carolina Stage Co.) Urine Town (Clarence brown theatre) and The Marriage of Figaro (Miami Opera Festival). To see more of Jordan’s work, please visit his online theatre portfolio www.JveraDesigns.com. Jordan is honored to work alongside a talented group of artistic collaborators here at the River & Rail Theatre Company and is excited to present “The Little Prince.”

Keeley Wade (Costume Designer) is a second year student at the University of Tennessee, studying theatre and history. She is thrilled to be working on her fifth production at River&Rail and is grateful for all the support she has received from the company.

Zack Bennett (Sound Designer) R&R patrons have heard Zack’s work on SWEAT & 2021’s The Unusual Tale of Mary and Joseph’s Baby. Recent work includes The Comedy of Errors and The Living Dead, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company; Thoughts of a Colored Man (Assoc), Broadway; A Christmas Carol (Asst), Guthrie Theatre; True West (Asst), Seattle Rep; numerous productions at the Clarence Brown including This is Our Youth, Around the World in 80 Days (Assoc.), and South Pacific (Assoc). Corporate Sound Designs include the 2022 National Order of the Arrow Conference at Thompson Bowling and the 2017 BSA National Jamboree (Asst). Zack is a graduate of UT (BA, 2017) and Purdue (MFA, 2020) where he designed productions of Next to Normal and Angels in America. Zack has joined the faculty of The University of North Georgia, & The Georgia Theatre Alliances. Zack would like to thank his wife, Alex, for her support, encouragement, and patience through every production. ZackBennett.com

Robert Parker Jenkins (Projections Designer) is a designer and creative strategist living and working in Nashville, Tennessee.

Rachel Winenger (Props Designer) has been a part of 15 theatrical productions since she moved to the Knoxville area from Indiana in 2014. She’s currently enrolled at Pellissippi State Community College where she will graduate after the current semester. Afterwards, she plans on transferring to another university in hopes of furthering her studies of the arts and theatre. Rachel is thrilled to be working on her second show with the River and Rail, previously she worked as the props designer for SWEAT. She is incredibly grateful to be a part of the amazing team of The Little Prince!

Scott Baron (Technical Director/Assistant Stage Manager) Scott Baron is a recent graduate of Samford University. This is his first production with River and Rail, and his first production in Knoxville. He has been honored to have worked as a Director abroad and in the United States on shows such as The Laramie Project, The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, Lungs, and Krapps Last Tape. He has served as a lighting, sound, and set designer as well as a technician on productions such as, Good Christian Girls, Vanities, Jekyll and Hyde a Devised Theatre Piece, and A Christmas Carol. He would like to thank the staff of River and Rail for creating an exceptional and creative work environment, the Bass family for their hospitability, and all of the theatre educators he has had in his life. He encourages you to start looking for “the sheep inside the boxes” and hopes you enjoy the show!

Michael Spurgeon (Assistant Stage Manager) is a 19 year old college student with a hunger for success in the theatrical business. This would be his first production with a local theatre and so far he has absolutely loved it! He’s hoping that I’m at least 5-10 years, he’ll be popping out in the big screen with some notable names. Also, thank you for coming to the show!

Halee Sprinkle (Marketing Director) isn’t just a marketing professional — she’s a marketing alchemist. Her extensive professional background coupled with a commitment to self-discipline and a desire to help others allows her to not only meet her clients’ needs, but transform their marketing strategies and businesses for the better. Halee’s alchemy allows her to work wonders, specifically in social media management, branding, creative ideation and more. In addition to her enthusiasm for her work, Halee is passionate about female entrepreneurship — she works closely with organizations that allow her to uplift her fellow businesswomen. Halee’s work is where passion meets purpose — and where your business needs meet personal, purposeful solutions. 

Tamsin Keh (River & Rail Intern/Production Administrator) is currently in her final term at The University of Tennessee, pursuing a BA in Theatre and minoring in Religious Studies. While not an actor, previous theatre experiences include Wardrobe Crew at the Clarence Brown Theatre for The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time and Murder on the Orient Express. She is so excited to be on the River & Rail Theatre Co. team. She would like to thank the Theatre Faculty and Staff at The University of Tennessee for their wisdom, knowledge, and guidance, as well as the River & Rail staff for their trust and belief. She is grateful to her parents – adoptive parents & step-parents – for being her biggest supporters. An extra special thanks to her sister, Sara, for being an encouraging force in this journey. And a huge thanks to her partner, Brock, for his love, hugs, and late-night comfort meals.