WHO WE ARE
The Executive Team/Operating Board
Cheri Moore
Executive Director
Cheri grew up near Chicago and, after living in several states, her family of 10 has made Centerton, Arkansas, home since 2020. With a background in music, theatre, and event organizing, when she couldn’t find programs that nurtured both faith and talent for her children, she felt called to create one—founding Lower Lights Theatre Company, which has blessed hundreds of performers since 2022.
Hayley Lionheart
Artistic Director
Monique Draper
Production Designer
Hayley has worked in theatre for years after studying and working in the film industry, and spent several years with CYT in Tucson. She joined Lower Lights in 2024 as the director of Little Women and has found her home and family here. Being a wife to Kamireon and a mom to their daughter, Rosie, has brought her more joy than anything she has ever done.
Hooked on the performing arts after discovering that applause beats homework, Monique earned a Theatre minor from Utah State, along with two MainStage acting awards. After co-founding Triple Threat Music, Dance, and Theater in 2016, she joined Lower Lights in 2023 as Production Designer, where she channels her love of building, crafting, and stage magic—while juggling seven kids, three dogs, and plenty of organized chaos.
Jason Nestor
Managing Director
Jason is a senior finance manager at Walmart with a degree in Economics from BYU–Idaho and an MBA in Finance from BYU. Outside of work, he enjoys singing in choirs, playing piano, photography, baking wedding cakes, and spending quality time with friends—whether on a scenic trail or at a competitive board game night.
Braden Moore
Finance Director
As Cheri’s other half, Braden is the backbone of Lower Lights, not only managing the finances, tax, and reporting required, but also taking care of so much behind the scenes at home. As an accountant, he gets strangely excited creating spreadsheets. He loves serving his family and church family.
The Lightkeepers Council
Those who work in the lighthouse, making sure that all the lights are burning are called Lighthouse Keepers or Lightkeepers. Our LIGHTKEEPERS COUNCIL is made up with our Executive Team plus our other invaluable team members who work with us on a variety of projects year round. We meet to council together with three main goals:
1. Strengthen relationships within the team to create unity and improve our ability to do what we set out to do.
2. Discuss ideas on how to invite, increase, and protect LIGHT in current and future programs/productions.
3. Share ideas and feedback for current and future programs/productions.
Stacy Paper
Marketing Director
Stacy has over two decades of professional theatre experience, with degrees in Theatre Performance and Theatre Education. She has performed across the Midwest, earning recognition at the Kennedy Center, and directed regional productions including Little Shop of Horrors and The Odd Couple. A former first runner-up to Miss Iowa, she has coached multiple state titleholders and continue teaching private voice and piano lessons, taking joy in helping students grow as artists.
Brooke Stepanek
Lead Choreographer
Brooke grew up performing in community theatre in Georgia, where she made her choreography debut in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown. After joining Lower Lights with Little Women, she has loved helping performers grow and seeing the joy when a dance finally clicks. Outside the theatre, she enjoys running, binge-reading, and reality TV.
Seth Lane
Lead ASM
Seth joined theatre with Little Women in spring 2025 as a dancer and stage team member and now serves as ASM, supporting the cast and crew. Introduced to musical production by his fiancée, Brooke Stepanek, he loves the collaborative artistry of live performance. Outside of theatre, he runs an Etsy shop creating handcrafted props and costumes inspired by comics, movies, and popular media.
Jessica Orchard
Consultant
Jessica was among the first supporters of Lower Lights Theatre Company and has been a part of almost everything we have done for the past 2 years. From Little Women to Camp Lighthouse to Dinner Theater, Jessica has been a tremendous support and team member. As she steps away from the daily grind to take care of her family's needs, she remains a valuable part of our council.
Kamireon Lionheart
Consultant
Kamireon has been performing music for more than 20 years and has been involved musically in more than a dozen plays. He and his wife, Hayley, recently welcomed baby Rosie into their family. Kamireon jumped in with both feet with Lower Lights Theatre Company for Little Women, both as Mr. Laurence and as Music Director.
Auxiliary Support Volunteers
Ashley Felix
House Manager
Ashley loves all things adventure and is often found riding her mountain bike, playing sports, or exploring in nature, She has a passion for coaching, laughing, playing, teaching, singing/dancing, learning, and loving. She and her husband love raising their four darling children—her pride and joy. She is severely extroverted and suffers from FOMO frequently—she’s always down for a good time!
Matt Paulk
Lead Construction
Matt is a Business Administration graduate with more than 15 years of experience in construction and now manages Walmart’s store remodel program. He enjoys bringing his hands-on skills to Lower Lights’ set and props team. He and his wife, Angela, are the proud parents of five children.
Katie Castaldi
Concessions Manager
Katie grew up in Hawaii but has called Arkansas home since 2010 with her husband and 4 children. Her favorite part of working with Lower Lights is working with her friends and seeing so much talent from NWA! She loves anything crafty, being silly, fully baked cookies, Disney, sunshine, her family and Jesus Christ.
Jamie Wilette
ASM
Jamie is a junior at Bentonville West High School and hopes to pursue a career in psychology or law. She has worked on SpongeBob the Musical, Oz, James and the Giant Peach, and Little Women. In her free time, she loves reading, creating art, listening to music, going to concerts, and making memories with friends and family.
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