BEREA, Ky. — Spotlight Acting School will bring its youngest students to the stage beginning Friday, May 29, with Annie KIDS at The Spotlight Playhouse.
The production features Spotlight Acting School students ages 4 to 11 in a shorter, kid-centered version of the classic musical. Performances are scheduled across two weekends, with the Blue Cast performing May 29 to 31 and the Purple Cast performing June 5 to 7. Families should double-check cast dates before purchasing tickets.
The Spotlight Playhouse is located at 214 Richmond Road in Berea.
🎟️ Show-Only Performances
All Annie KIDS performances are now standard general admission shows. There is no dinner service for this production.
That detail is especially important because some older links and promotional materials may still include dinner-show language. The current production format is strictly show-only, and families should plan their evenings accordingly.
Performances are scheduled for Fridays and Saturdays at 6:00 p.m. and Sundays at 2:00 p.m.
🎭 A Student-Centered Version of Annie
Annie KIDS is adapted from the classic musical and designed specifically for younger casts. The story keeps the heart of the original, including Annie’s optimism, her search for family, and the contrast between life in the orphanage and the promise of a better tomorrow.
For Spotlight Acting School, the production gives younger students the chance to perform a well-known musical in a format built for their age group. The shorter running time and kid-focused structure make it accessible for young actors while still giving families the songs, characters, and story they recognize.
The production is directed by Daesha Miller and sponsored by CG Bank.
🎶 Separate From the Bluegrass Players’ Annie
The Spotlight Playhouse hosted the Bluegrass Players’ full production of Annie: The Musical earlier in May. Annie KIDS is a separate Spotlight Acting School production with a completely different cast, shorter format, and younger performers.
The two productions share the same familiar source material, but they are not the same show. Annie KIDS centers entirely on the growth and development of Spotlight Acting School students ages 4 to 11.
⭐ Why Youth Productions Matter
For many students, a show like Annie KIDS is an early introduction to live theater. Younger performers learn how to listen, work together, follow direction, speak clearly, sing with a group, and tell a story in front of an audience.
Those skills matter beyond the stage. Theater helps students build confidence, practice teamwork, and experience the satisfaction of being part of something larger than themselves. For families, youth productions also offer a chance to see young performers grow in a supportive environment.
✅ Tickets and Show Information
- Tickets and Show Information:
https://www.thespotlightplayhouse.com/2026/04/18/annie-kids-dinner-and-non-dinner-performances-may-29-jun-7/ - TicketSource Listing:
https://www.ticketsource.com/spotlightactingschool/annie-kids/e-mjvkby
Upcoming Events in Berea & Beyond
Community, Arts & Civic
- Richmond Centre Summer Concerts Opening Night (2139 Lantern Ridge Dr.), Friday, May 29, 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
https://shoprichmondcentre.com/promotions/ - Tools and Stools Workshop (116 Spring Circle Dr.), May 30 to 31
https://bereamakerspace.clubexpress.com/ - Drive-Thru Pet Vaccine Clinic (1151 Goggins Lane), Saturday, May 30, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
https://madisoncountyky.gov/mc-events/ - Next Level Soccer Camp (Berea College Alumni Field), Monday, June 1 to Friday, June 5
https://visitberea.com/events/ - Woodcarver Wednesday (Berea Welcome Center), Wednesday, June 3, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
https://visitberea.com/events/ - 15th Annual US 25 Yard Sale (Regional Route), Friday, June 5 to Saturday, June 6
https://visitberea.com/events/ - Junebug Festival (Old Town Artisan Village), Friday, June 5 at 6:00 p.m.
https://visitberea.com/events/ - Free Kids Fishing Derby (Lake Reba Park), Saturday, June 6, 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
https://madisoncountyky.gov/mc-events/
Theater & Performance at The Spotlight Playhouse
Tickets and info: https://www.thespotlightplayhouse.com/
- Annie KIDS (Spotlight Acting School), May 29 to June 7
- Creative Arts Camp (“New York, New York”), June 8 to 12
- Macbeth (The Bluegrass Players), June 19 to 28
- Film Acting Camp (Rising 6th to Age 18), June 29 to July 3
About the Author
Dr. Chad Hembree is the Executive Director of Spotlight Acting School, The Spotlight Playhouse, and Spotlight Performing Arts. Affectionately known to the community as “Mr. Chad,” he is a playwright, director, and performer with a professional background spanning music, theater, and technology. As a contributor and editor for BereaOnline.com, he focuses on highlighting community news, local events, and the evolving intersection of technology and the arts in Madison County.