Spotlight Acting School is a theatre school for children from ages 4 to 18. Our purpose is to provide a creative environment for children who want to learn about performing on stage and to foster a lifelong appreciation for the performing arts.
The Spotlight Playhouse
For a list of upcoming performances by Spotlight Acting School or the Bluegrass Players Community Theater Troupe visit
https://www.thespotlightplayhouse.com
Celebrating 20 Years of Theater Magic: 2004 – 2024
Spotlight Acting School, founded by the visionary Kathie JR Bettler and now under the dedicated leadership of Executive Director Chad Hembree since 2013, has been a pillar of creativity and community in the theater world. Alongside his wife Letha Hembree, Music Director, and director Sarah Jeck, Chad has nurtured the school’s growth from 25 to 200 students, fostering an inclusive and supportive environment where every child is welcome.
Spotlight Acting School proudly embraces children with special needs, having serviced students with a diverse range of disabilities, ensuring that every child feels a sense of belonging and community. This commitment to inclusivity and accessibility is a testament to the school’s dedication to its founding principles.
In 2014, to further support its mission, the school established ‘Spotlight Performing Arts, Inc.’, a Not-for-Profit. This initiative was undertaken to aid in fundraising, ensuring that all funds raised directly support the school’s enduring commitment to never turn a student away. This mission has stood firm, and in 2022, Chad introduced ‘pay-what-you-can’ tickets on Fridays, further expanding the school’s inclusivity and redefining its mission to provide performance opportunities for both aspiring performers and audience members in the region.
Join us in commemorating two decades of transformative learning experiences, unforgettable performances, and a community united by the love of theater. Here’s to many more years of bringing stories to life on stage, upholding the legacy of Kathie JR Bettler, and expanding the horizons of theater for performers and audiences alike!
