The Normal Heart

Marty has been directing in Central Kentucky since the early '80's.  Upon returning to Lexington from grad school one of her first projects was as an assistant director to the late, great Barrt Williams for The Normal Heart for Actors Guild of Lexington in 1986 (in the basement theatre of the old Leva's Restaurant on Main Street!)  That production filled her heart and soul with the fight for HIV/AIDS and gave her the gift of lifelong friends.  Nearly 40 years later here we are again.

"I dedicate this show to my dear friend Gary Key, who never stopped fighting for a happier future."

Daniel Ellis joins the cast of ActOut Theatre Group’s production of Larry Kramer’s THE NORMAL HEART as Felix Turner. Daniel has worked with multiple companies in 

the Lexington area including Studio Players, AthensWest, Lexington Children's Theatre, and Woodford Theatre. This is his first stage production with ActOut and he is thrilled to bring Larry Kramer's play to life.

“Felix is all heart. He’s looking to love and be loved and I think he’s a representation of many stories. He teaches us how to be better and what the fight was/is for. He’s the best of us.”

Shayne is immensely honored to be playing Ned Weeks, and to be ( along with this ensemble & director) telling this (still) incredibly relevant true story of Larry Kramer's personal experiences during the AIDS crisis in New York City, circa 1981-1985. An actor for the past 28 years, Mr. Brakefield is a proud graduate of the full time Sanford Meisner program at the 

William Esper Studio, in NYC. He studied improve acting at the famed Upright Citizens Brigade, in NYC, which includes Amy Pochler as one of its founding members.

Shayne is the recipient of  2017 Arts-Louisville Broadway World Regional award for Best Actor in a play, for his work in Terrence McNally's "Mothers and Sons."  A licensed massage therapist, he is also a proud graduate of the Swedish Institute College of Health Sciences, in NYC.  Shayne's performance  is dedicated to his friend Michael Thompson, an AIDS activist, founder of Moveable Feast, as well as an incredibly talented actor.

Martha makes her ActOut Theatre Group debut as Dr. Emma Brookner in Larry Kramer’s THE NORMAL HEART, but the talented actress is no stranger to Lexington stages Marthas, a graduate of Bowling Green State University and the University of Kentucky, has worked with many local companies - Studio Players, Actors' Guild, Phoenix Group, LSF, and Woodford Theatre. 

Her roles include Dr. Martha Livingstone (Agnes of God) and Mary Todd Lincoln (The Last of Mrs. Lincoln) for Studio Players and Miss Daisy (Driving Miss Daisy) and Betty Meeks (The Foreigner) with Woodford Theatre. Martha is married to Tim Campbell and they have two sons, Ethan and Miles.

This is Wylie's first production with ActOut and his first time performing in the Pam Miller Downtown Arts Center.  Wylie has previously been in productions at the Appalachian Shakespeare Center, Woodford Theatre, and EKU.

Darrell Maines. is happy to return to the stage for this ActOut production of THE NORMAL HEART as Hiram, Craig, and Grady. 

His previous experience with ActOut includes Elegies for Angels, Punks, 

and Raging Queens, Love! Valor! Compassion!, Sordid Lives, and Lot's Daughters. Other shows include Guys and Dolls, Kiss Me Kate, and Seussical the Musical. Darrell is also an accomplished costumer.  He and his husband have been together for 26 years, with the past 6 years married. They have two children who are their world.

Darrell says “Playing multiple characters in a show is rewarding, especially when the characters are so diverse. Villains are as important for a show as heroes are. If it weren’t for the villains, why would we need knights in shining armor.”

 This is Kyle Wade’s third performance with the ActOut Theatre Group.  He played Roy in Birds of  a Feather, Michael in The Boys in the Band, and now Tommy Boatwright in 

Larry Kramer’s THE NORMAL HEART. Kyle is often seen on the Studio Players stage as well.

Tommy Boatwright is a southern boy in NYC. Kyle shares that his southern wit and his compassion drew him to the role, and his dedication to the cause and the patients.

Sam is glad to be back with ActOut Productions, where he was last seen as Hank in The Boys in The Band.  Sam holds a BFA from the University of Evansville and an MFA from Rutgers University.  

 Layton Garlington is making his ActOut Theatre Group debut as Bruce Niles in THE NORMAL HEART. Born and raised in north Louisiana, Layton has called Kentucky home 

since 2010. He performed in youth theatres growing up before becoming a speech and debate competitor throughout high school and college (WKU).  After an 8-year hiatus from performance, Layton is looking forward to bringing a character to life again! 

Bruce is a complex man, saddled with the social pressures of "passing" in corporate America during the start of the AIDS crisis. Not a natural-born "trouble maker," Bruce's approach to activism often puts him at odds with his frenemy Ned.

As a queer person that has advocated for policy changes in the streets and the halls of power, Layton is thrilled to return to the stage in such a timely and hard-hitting LGBTQ+ production

 Burley Thomas appears on the ActOut stage again, as David and the hardass Examining Doctor in Larry Kramer’s THE NORMAL HEART.  Burley is a Cismale

Aromantic Aqueerius, and often-genderqueer Kentucky Fried Sister, Freida Goodhome (he/him/sometimes they) recently featured as "Alex" in Antagonist Productions, 'The Reset by Ed Clark.' He’s worked for many area theatre companies including Studio Players and the Ten-Minute Play Festival. Burley is the very busy and active Office Manager of the Lexington Pride Center.

Burley shares “I hope that the stories shared by the characters remind - younger audiences - just how far we've come in a relatively short amount of time. I hope audiences also reflect on other instances in the show & see how, unfortunately, we've failed to make progress. This show is ripe with struggle, loss & hope that should permeate the conversations of our audiences from here on.”

Robin has been working on the techical side if theatre in Central Kentucky since 2010 and is thrilled to be working with ActOut for the first time.  She spends her time outside of the theatre organizing for liberation and the abolishment of the prison system, taking photos, and talking to her cats and plants.  Her work on this show is dedicated to all those who continue to organize for disability, justice across borders, both literal and metaphorical.

Jeanie is thrilled to be back with ActOut Theatre and working with Marty Wayman, director.  Adding The Normal Heart (2022) will make her fifth play to costume for ActOut, the others being: Wrinkles (2020), The Boys in the Band (2019), Birds of a Feather (2017), and Standing on Ceremony (2016).  When she is not helping make magic for the theatre, she enjoys relaxing evenings with her dog, Artie, and cat, Cedric.

Je

Je

Je