Our Team
Lyndy Franklin Smith
CO-FOUNDER & ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Lyndy Franklin Smith co-founded The Lexington Theatre Company (“The Lex”) alongside her husband Jeromy, as a way to give back to her hometown and to the theatre industry. She enjoyed a successful performance career in New York City, including the Broadway companies of A Chorus Line and The Little Mermaid; the Radio City Christmas Spectacular; National Tours of Fosse and White Christmas; and numerous regional productions. Her directing credits for The Lex include Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Newsies, A Chorus Line, Songs For A New World, Mary Poppins, 42nd Street, Legally Blonde (alongside longtime friend Laura Bell Bundy), the Script to Table Series, and all editions of “Concert With The Stars. She also hosts the podcast “Beyond the Fourth Wall” for The Lex, available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Simplecast. The book she co-authored, Broadway Swings: Covering the Ensemble in Musical Theatre, is available on Amazon.com. She is a graduate of Sayre School and Oklahoma City University and "Mom” to Ben (11) and Andrew (8).
Jeromy Smith
CO-FOUNDER & PRODUCING DIRECTOR
Jeromy Smith hails from Oklahoma and co-founded The Lexington Theatre Company alongside his wife (Lyndy) as a means of paying it forward. He combines both his extensive performance and arts management experience to produce first-rate professional theatre at The Lex, while training the future of the industry. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Dance and Arts Management from Oklahoma City University. Performing credits include the National Tours of 42nd Street and Swing!; Numerous regional productions at theatres including Houston Theater Under the Stars, Paper Mill Playhouse, Music Theatre Wichita, and Oklahoma's Lyric Theatre; Television appearances on "A Capitol Fourth" and "Star Search." As an arts manager, Jeromy worked with Broadway theatre-owner, Jujamcyn Theaters, and the Broadway management company, Richards/Climan, Inc., as Associate General Manager, where projects included August: Osage County (Pulitzer Prize and Tony Winner), Blithe Spirit (starring Angela Lansbury), and November (starring Nathan Lane), to name a few.
Brock Terry
RESIDENT MUSIC DIRECTOR
Brock Terry holds music degrees from Georgetown College and Emory University. He also serves as Director of Music at the historic First United Methodist Church in downtown Lexington and is currently working towards completing the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in conducting at the University of Kentucky. He served as Music Director for all editions of “Concert With The Stars” for The Lexington Theatre Company as well as West Side Story, Newsies, The Music Man, A Chorus Line, Legally Blonde, Disney's The Little Mermaid and Chicago; as well as the Script to Table Series.
Brance Cornelius
EDUCATION DIRECTOR
Brance has a BA in Theatre from Murray State, and this is his 4th year at The Lex! The Lex credits include The Little Mermaid, Chicago, The Sound of Music, A Christmas Story, 42nd Street, and Script to Table: Rodgers & Hammerstein. Other credits include How the Grinch Stole Christmas: The Musical (National Tour); Cinderella (International Tour); Actor’s Equity; Disney Cruise Line/Disney World.
"I’m honored to work alongside a growing team that loves theatre and loves the Bluegrass. Growing up in Lexington, I never imagined that I could return to my hometown to work in a thriving, regional theatre. It’s a joy to lead an incredible team of Teaching Artists and to lead students (PreK - 55+) on a journey of discovery. Musicals really do make life better!"
Grace Money
DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE
Grace holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Kentucky in Arts Administration with a minor in Vocal Performance. Grace joined our team in 2024, after joining the LexFam as a Technical Apprentice in our 2016 production of Mary Poppins. Previous experience includes working as the Development and Stewardship Coordinator for The American Pops Orchestra.
“Working at The Lexington Theatre Company is truly a dream come true. I was a fan long before I joined the team, and it was always my goal to be part of the magic that inspired me from the audience. Now, getting to contribute to that same creative energy and community every day is an absolute joy.”
Julia Sutherland
MARKETING ASSOCIATE
Julia is a recent graduate of the University of Kentucky, holding a BA in Arts Administration with a Certificate in Business. She joined the LexFam in 2022 through the College Internship Program, and has been a part of producing the past four seasons at The Lex. Previous experience includes interning at the Otis A. Singletary Center for the Arts and serving as the Marketing Director for the University of Kentucky’s Arts Administration Society.
“I am overjoyed to be working with an incredible team that has poured so much into me as a professional. To be sharing the joy and mission of The Lexington Theatre Company through marketing is such an honor!”
Ayako Hasebe Lloyd
ADP ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Ayako earned her BFA in Dance Performance from Butler University, and is an American Ballet Theatre ® National Training Curriculum Certified Teacher (Pre-Primary-Level 5). Her experience includes the Vaganova Seminar with Butler Ballet (St. Petersburg, Russia), Summer Intensive Leadership; Faculty at Cincinnati Ballet Academy & Professional Training Division (2024-Current), Company Dancer & Ballet Mistress at Lexington Ballet, Classical Ballet Program Coordinator at Town & Village School of Dance, Youth American Grand Prix Coach, Guest Teaching Artist with Kentucky Governor’s School of Arts, and Northeast Ohio Dance.
”The Lex is my home, where performing arts, education, and community come together to create something truly inspiring for all generations. I’m honored to be part of a company that nurtures this magical transformation each day—whether in the studio or behind the scenes. It’s a dream come true.”
Haley O’Donnell
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Haley has a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Music Education, with a Minor in Musical Theatre from Youngstown State University. Her credits at The Lex include Fiddler on the Roof, Joseph...Dreamcoat, First You Dream, "Concert Under the Stars" and "Concert With the Stars" (2024 and 2025). Haley is certified in Voice Health and Functional Training from Shenandoah Conservatory's CCM Vocal Pedagogy Institute, and was a Vocalist at Adirondacks Performing Arts Fellowship.
“I truly have the best job! I love knowing the work I do at The Lex plays a small part in telling stories the world NEEDS to hear!"
Chelsea Russell
OUTREACH ASSISTANT
Chelsea has a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and Arts Administration, a Minor in Mathematics, and a Musical Theatre Certificate from the University of Kentucky. Chelsea has been seen in our productions of A Christmas Story and "Concert With the Stars" 2025! Other credits include Frozen Jr., Moana Jr., Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella: Youth Edition, Princess & Frog (The Children's Theatre of Cincinnati), A Midsummer Night's Dream (University of Kentucky), The Three Musketeers (Leeds Center for the Arts), Freelance Fight Director and Teaching Artist, Advanced Actor Combatant with the Society of American Fight Directors. Chelsea has also been an Administrative Assistant at Kentuckians for the Arts, Project Manager at Storyboard Media, Director of Operations at the National Women's Theatre Festival, and Artistic Associate at AthensWest Theatre Company.
"I have been a long-time fan of The Lex and am thrilled to be joining the team!"