The Rocky Horror Show Cast

Ben Long, a Buckhannon native, is excited to be returning to BCT for this years performance of Rocky Horror! Ben is a current senior at West Virginia Wesleyan where he is pursuing his BFA in Musical Theatre. He wants to express his gratitude to the cast and crew for creating such a fun and welcoming environment, and share his excitement to perform this show (Brad is one of his dream roles).

Julia is a native of Buckhannon WV. She has been with Buckhannon Community Theatre since the age of 12 when she played in her first production as Belinda Cratchit in A Christmas Carol. Since then she has played many roles in shows such as Constance (Rock of Ages), Lucy (Dracula), and Mrs. White (Clue). She serves on the board of BCT as the Treasurer. Julia hopes you enjoy our production!

Jonathan is a first time performer for the Buckhannon Community Theatre. He graduated from Thiel College in 2022 and moved from Pennsylvania to West Virginia that same year. Jonathan's previous work includes Les Misérables and Next To Normal. He enjoys classic horror and science fiction movies, and was drawn to the many references that were included in Rocky Horror.

Dannie Stiles, a nationally renowned entertainer, graces stages across the country, proudly representing West Virginia with his performances. As the current reigning Mr. Gay West Virginia United States, he will compete for the title of Mr. Gay United States next spring, having finished 4th in the country in the 2024 competition. Familiar with the BCT stage, he delighted audiences as Renfield in Dracula (2019) and made his BCT acting return as Grandpa Joe in Willy Wonka, and now he's thrilled to return to Rocky Horror, the show that marked the beginning of his BCT tenure. Dannie also serves as the Social Media and Public Relations Director for the BCT Board of Directors. His talents extend beyond the theater, with appearances on television shows such as Expedition X, Ghost Brothers: Lights Out, Legendary Locations, and America's Scariest Places, and as Deputy Hunter in the JC films production “I Can’t Breathe”.

Jessica is a 20+ year veteran of Buckhannon Community Theatre who has participated in numerous productions and serves on the BCT Executive Board. Jessica's recent work includes Dracula, A Christmas Story, Death by Dessert, Clue, Rocky Horror Show, Rex's Exes, and Red Velvet Cake War. Thank you to the community for supporting the arts and BCT!

Laura J. Meese is a veteran BCT member, though she is most often on the other side of the curtain as director. Laura has a BS in Theatre, with a Masters degree in Art Education. She has been a Member of BCT since 2010, though she is usually a director. Her direction for BCT has included The Wizard of Oz, Mary Poppins, Shrek the Musical, A Christmas Carol (the script which she personally adapted from the original Dickens' classic), Steel Magnolias, War of the Worlds, The Odd Couple, and Almost, Maine. As an actor, Laura has been seen in BCT productions such as The Single Man, Death by Dessert, Rocky Horror Show, Coyote on a Fence, Beauty and the Beast, and Into the Woods. Having loved all aspects of theatre for the majority of her life, Laura has always found a home in Buckhannon Community Theatre. She hopes to see it grow and continue to enrich our community into the future.

Leah has been doing theater most of her life! She has a bachelors in Theatre: Acting and Directing from Radford University and a Masters from University of Phoenix in Elementary Education. She currently teaches 2nd grade. Leah recently directed BCT’s murder mystery shows, The Single Man and Death by Dessert. Most recently you have seen her on BCT’s stage as: CeeCee Windham in Rex’s Exes and The Red Velvet Cake War, A Jitterbug in The Wizard of Oz, Mrs Peacock in Clue: On Stage, Shellhammer in Miracle on 34th Street, Viney in The Miracle Worker, Ouiser in Steel Magnolias, she has also been seen repeatedly in The Rocky Horror Picture Show, which you can see her in again this October. Leah is most thankful for her daughters, Anya and Amelia. She is always her parents and grandparents for helping and always being her biggest supporters. She would also like to thank her friends for being her cheerleaders and sounding boards

Olivia Insani Perske is a public school music teacher, choir director, voice and theater clinician, and private voice and piano teacher from Clarksburg, WV. After graduating from West Virginia Wesleyan College, Olivia settled in Elkins, WV. In 2021, Olivia founded the Voices of Augusta Children's Choir through the internationally acclaimed Augusta Heritage Center. Current county-wide projects include programming and conducting the Randolph All-County Elementary Chorus and coordinating the annual Solo and Ensemble Recital for students in grades K-12. At the state level, Olivia serves as Secretary of the West Virginia Society of General Music and is on the Executive Board for the West Virginia All-State Children’s Chorus. Recent productions include “Mary Poppins” (Mary Poppins) with BCT, and “Cabaret” (Fraulein Kost) with WVWC. Olivia and her husband Tyler co-direct the choir at the First Presbyterian Church of Elkins, of which they are also members. In her free time, Olivia enjoys volunteering with the Free Meals Appalachia Foundation and cuddling with her three cats.

Kyia McGill is thrilled to make her return to Buckhannon Community Theatre in Rocky Horror, having last performed in 2018 as Miss Andrew in their 2019 production of Mary Poppins. A recent graduate of Davis and Elkins College with a theatre degree, Kyia has been involved in theatre since 2016 and has loved it ever since. Alongside BCT, Kyia works professionally with the Rustic Mechanicals, West Virginia's only touring Shakespeare troupe. She is so grateful to be able to do what she loves every day of her life, and thanks BCT, her friends, and her family for their love and support.

Asad Khan, known professionally as Derya, hails from Buckhannon, West Virginia. He has an extensive background in performing arts, including participation in Buckhannon Community Theatre's "Rock of Ages" and the 2017 band for "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Derya has also showcased his talent as a dancer for The Dance Factory of Buckhannon and performed in Christmas plays at Buckhannon Upshur High School at the age of four. Derya's early education began at Tennerton Elementary School, where he attended from kindergarten through fifth grade. He was then homeschooled for two years, during which he excelled academically, taking the ACT and graduating from middle and high school by age 12. At 13, Derya was accepted into West Virginia Wesleyan College but opted for a three-year sabbatical to gain experience in the medical field under the mentorship of his father, Dr. Ali Khan. At 16, Derya commenced his college education at West Virginia Wesleyan College, earning a Bachelor's degree in Business in 2021. He then relocated to Miami, Florida, where he pursued and obtained a Master’s in Health Administration from the University of Miami. During his time in Miami, Derya worked alongside two former U.S. Health Secretaries, Alex Azar and Donna Shalala, collaborated with the co-producer of the EpiPen, and was inducted into the National Society of Leadership and Success. His award-winning projects during this period had a significant impact on improving business practices. Currently, Derya manages and administers the Associated Specialists office in Buckhannon, West Virginia, alongside his father, Dr. Ali Khan. He is also actively involved in the arts, performing with his mother, Teresa Khan.

Crystal has a long history with the arts which spans over 20 years. She studied dance for 12 years at Center Stage Dance Academy and Lori Ann’s Dance Reflections in Keyser, WV. She has used her dance experience as choreographer for Keyser Middle School Drama Club’s productions of High School Musical, Jr. and Annie, Jr.; The Addams Family for Liberty High School; and the productions of A Christmas Carol, Shrek the Musical, and Rock of Ages for Buckhannon Community Theatre. She has appeared in various roles on stage for 23 productions with Apple Alley Players and Potomac State College in Keyser and Buckhannon Community Theatre. Some of her favorites include Les Miserables, Hairspray, The Rocky Horror Show, Shrek the Musical, and The Music Man.