BEREA, Ky. — When Annie: The Musical opens May 15 at The Spotlight Playhouse, the familiar story of hope and perseverance will come with a local boost from a community partner helping make the show more accessible to families.
CG Bank is officially sponsoring the upcoming production, supporting The Bluegrass Players, Spotlight Acting School, and the broader mission of providing theatrical opportunities for people across the region.
Most notably, that sponsorship is helping make Pay-What-You-Can Fridays possible during the run of Annie, giving more families a chance to experience live theater regardless of their entertainment budget. Pay-What-You-Can Fridays will be offered during the run of Annie, including the Friday performances on May 15 and May 22.
🏦 A Local Bank Supporting Local Arts
CG Bank, also known as Citizens Guaranty Bank, is a locally owned and operated community bank with roots dating back to 1972. After beginning in Irvine and expanding into Richmond, the bank opened its Berea branch in 2008. Since then, the organization has made it a point to actively support the communities where its team members live and work.
That kind of local commitment matters deeply when it reaches beyond banking and into community life.
The arts depend on partnerships. Ticket sales help keep the lights on, but sponsors help make bigger things possible. In this case, CG Bank’s support helps bring one of Broadway’s best-known family musicals to the stage while actively opening the doors wider for audiences who might not otherwise be able to attend.
🎟️ Making Theater More Accessible
Pay-What-You-Can Fridays are designed to remove some of the financial pressure that can keep families away from live performances. Instead of asking every household to meet the same ticket price, the program allows families to attend and contribute what they comfortably can.
For a community theater and acting school, that kind of access is central to the overall mission. Spotlight Acting School works to give students a place to grow through performance, teamwork, music, storytelling, and confidence-building. The Bluegrass Players provide local actors with opportunities to perform in full community productions. Together, those efforts help keep theatrical arts vibrant and available in Berea.
CG Bank’s sponsorship helps that work continue.
☀️ A Partnership Built on Optimism
The enduring magic of Annie lies in its relentless optimism. The classic tale of a brave young orphan outsmarting Miss Hannigan and unexpectedly finding a family with billionaire Oliver Warbucks is ultimately a story about finding light in the dark. It is a reminder that even in tough times, tomorrow can still be better.
That hopeful message makes this partnership especially fitting. A local bank supporting a local theater helps turn that message into something highly practical: more access, more opportunity, and more families in the room together enjoying familiar songs like “Tomorrow” and “It’s the Hard-Knock Life.”
🎭 A Month of ‘Annie’ in Berea
Annie: The Musical opens May 15 and runs through May 24. The celebration continues later in the month when Spotlight Acting School presents Annie KIDS, featuring younger students, beginning May 29 and running through June 7.
Together, the two productions create a full month of Annie at The Spotlight Playhouse. Thanks to support from CG Bank, it is a month that a whole lot more families will have the chance to take part in.
Click Here for Tickets and Pay-What-You-Can Information
About the Author
Dr. Chad Hembree serves as the Executive Director of Spotlight Acting School, The Spotlight Playhouse, and Spotlight Performing Arts. Affectionately known as “Mr. Chad,” he is an accomplished performer, director, and creative executive who draws on his broad experience to guide students and staff with creativity, care, and a passion for making community events accessible to everyone in Berea.
Upcoming Events in Berea & Beyond
🌿 Community, Arts & Outdoors
- Berea Farmers Market (Chestnut Street Pavilion) — Saturdays, 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
- Eastern Kentucky University Commencement — May 7–8
- Berea College Commencement — Sunday, May 10
- Madison Central High School Graduation (Alumni Coliseum) — Friday, May 22 at 7:00 p.m.
- Model Laboratory School Graduation — Friday, May 22
- Madison Southern High School Graduation (Alumni Coliseum) — Saturday, May 23 at 10:00 a.m.
🎭 Theater & Performance at The Spotlight Playhouse
(Tickets and info for all shows: thespotlightplayhouse.com)
- Madagascar: A Musical Adventure JR. (Ages 9–14) — Final Weekend! Closes May 10
- The Secret Garden (The Bluegrass Players) — Final Weekend! Closes May 10
- Annie: The Musical (The Bluegrass Players) — May 15–24
- Annie KIDS (Spotlight Acting School) — May 29–June 7
- Creative Arts Camp (“New York, New York”) — June 8–12
- “Oh, Those Summer Nights” Intergenerational Intensive — June 14–27
- Macbeth (The Bluegrass Players) — June 19–28
- Film Acting Camp (Rising 6th–Age 18) — June 29–July 3
- Seussical the Musical (Ages 14–18) — July 31–Aug. 9