Adam Whipple (Band Director/Guitar) is a musician, songwriter, producer, poet, and author living in Knoxville, Tennessee. His songwriting has been called “equal parts Garrison Keillor and Rich Mullins,” and his albums can be found drifting through the gelatinous ether of the internet. His essays and poetry have appeared on The Rabbit Room, in Curator Magazine, Blue Mountain Review, The Pigeon Parade Quarterly, and Analogue. He lives in a house called The Watershed, along with his wife and their four children, and a dog that’s basically an undersized horse. His hobbies include playing in the dirt and singing the praises of tomatoes.

Jay Miller (drums)

Nick Jernigan (bass)

Phillip Joubert (keys)

Jessica Klus (Stage Manager/Assistant Lighting Designer) is so incredibly excited and grateful to be working on her third 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 (2018 & 2021), The Madwoman of Chaillot, the world premiere of People Where They Are, and She Kills Monsters to name a few. She recently had a blast working on The Little Prince this past September with River and Rail. 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!

Scott Baron (River & Rail Technical Director/Lighting Designer) … Originally from Nashville, Scott Baron is a recent graduate of Samford University where he graduated with a B.A in theatre. He joined River and Rail as technical director for The Little Prince, and has since come on as technical director full time. He is developing a great love for Knoxville, and the beauty of East Tennessee. He thanks you deeply for your support and welcomes you to this extraordinary theatre.

Lucas Swinehart (Sound Designer/Co-Projections Designer) is currently studying Theatre Technology and Design at the University of Tennessee. He has sound designed for and worked with many theatres locally and across the country, and is excited to be working with River and Rail.

Amelia Zahn (Production Manager/Assistant Stage Manager)

Deidra Harper (Marketing Director)

RIVER & RAIL STAFF

Joshua Peterson (River & Rail Artistic 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.)

Kenneth Herring (River & Rail Managing Director) Kenneth Herring grew up in Oak Ridge, TN, just 25 miles from downtown Knoxville. Kenneth holds a BA in Communications for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and a Masters in Business Administration from Bethel University. Kenneth has a non-traditional theatre background, having spent 10 years working in Information Technology sales. Kenneth is a former member of the Hammer Ensemble, which performed at Knoxville’s Flying Anvil Theatre. River & Rail patrons may have previously seen Kenneth on stage as Dick Daldry in THE VIBRATOR PLAY by Sarah Ruhl. Kenneth is passionate about content creation and creating inclusive environments. Kenneth enjoys basketball and spending time with his son, Rayne.

Tamsin Keh (Administrative Assistant) is a recent graduate from The University of Tennessee theatre department with a minor in Religious Studies. 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, as well as working with River & Rail Theatre Company with The Little Prince and The Wolves. A special thanks to their family, friends, and everyone who has come out to see the show!