Lauren Lichac is honored to step into Cinderella’s iconic glass slippers after a four-year hiatus from the stage following her move from Connecticut to Tennessee. A lyric coloratura soprano, she has trained classically for over 12 years and performed since childhood. She made her Carnegie Hall debut in 2016, and in 2021 was named “Singer of the Year” at IMTA. Favorite roles include Eliza Doolittle (My Fair Lady), Johanna Barker (Sweeney Todd), and Hope Harcourt (Anything Goes). Lauren is deeply grateful to her parents, her real-life “fairy godparents,” Heather and Matthew, her incredible voice teacher, Fran, and her close friends who have become family.

Eli Ragland is excited to make his Franklin Light Opera! This is his second appearance as Prince Topher this year, and is thrilled to be back as the character he loves. Eli is a middle school theatre teacher at IT Creswell in Nashville, and is passionate about exploring art with his students. He thanks them for their support, as well as his family and Sid Gold’s community. He hopes you have a ball, because he is giving one!

Karen Wonder Dumont is thrilled to be once again spreading her fairy godmother magic as Marie! She has played Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother twice before in Viardot’s Cendrillon and has appeared as Cinderella in the True Story of Cinderella. Karen is one of the founders of Franklin Light Opera, which was inspired by the Cornell Savoyards (Ithaca), a Gilbert & Sullivan group she led in Western NY. Favorite musical theatre roles include Mother Abbess (The Sound of Music), Rosa Bud (The Mystery of Edwin Drood), Cunegonde (Candide), Marian (The Music Man), and Johanna (Sweeney Todd). Favorite G&S roles include Mabel (The Pirates of Penzance), Josephine (HMS Pinafore), and Yum-Yum (The Mikado). She has done numerous recital programs and appeared as a concert soloist in Orff’s Carmina Burana, Mozart's Requiem, and Handel’s Messiah. Behind the scenes, Karen is the Producer of Cinderella and the President of FLO’s Board of Directors. She lives in Franklin with her husband Chad and her theatre-loving son Simon, 3 cats, and her dog Daisy. Her middle son, Ethan, is at the University of Tennessee Knoxville and her oldest, Daniel, is an intern at Fermilab. In her spare time, Dr. Dumont is a veterinarian practicing at Healthy Petz Veterinary Hospital in Spring Hill.

Shelley Schneider, a native Texan and Baylor graduate of vocal performance, recently moved to Nashville in 2021. While in Texas, she taught private voice lessons in several colleges in Ft Worth, Houston and Austin. In addition to teaching, Ms. Schneider has also music directed and conducted several musicals. In 2010, Ms. Schneider studied at the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York. Her performing career is diverse and includes Shakespeare plays, musicals, operas and cabaret shows. She has performed across Texas with Houston Grand Opera’s educational outreach program. While in the Houston Grand Opera chorus, she performed with opera giants Jaime Barton, Renee Fleming, and Joyce DiDonato. Some favorite performances include Amy in Company by Sondheim and Dinah in Trouble in Tahiti by Bernstein. Recently she performed with a chorus accompanying Andrea Bocelli at Bridgestone Arena. She is on the board and performs with Franklin Light Opera. Most recently she performed the role of the mother in Menotti’s Amahl and the Night Visitors. In October, Ms. Schneider will sing with the Nashville Chorus in the opera The Shining. Later this fall, Ms. Schneider will travel to France to teach with the Cabaret Connexion. Ms. Schneider is a professor in the voice department at Lipscomb University. She also maintains a thriving private studio in Franklin. www.themusicalvoice.com

Hallie is thrilled to be doing her third show with Franklin Light Opera! She is a musical theatre graduate from Belmont University and has been in Cendrillon and HMS Pinafore with Franklin Light Opera. Other favorite credits include Juliet in Romeo and Juliet (Watershed Public Theatre), Beth in Little Women (Watershed Public Theatre), and Brooklyn in Brooklyn: The Musical (Street Theatre Company). Hallie is currently the theatre teacher and director at Sunset Middle School and has enjoyed directing The Addams’s Family, The Wizard of Oz, and Willy Wonka. 

Jiana is thrilled to be making her FLO debut! Originally from Texas, she is in her senior year as a Classical Voice Major at Belmont University. She had the opportunity to be a soloist in Belmont’s 2023 Classical Singer’s Recital and is involved in Belmont Opera Theatre where she performed the role of Margo (The Merry Widow) and is preparing to sing the role of The Prince (The Little Prince) in Opera Scenes this Fall. She is also involved with Belmont’s musical theatre club where she performed the role of Rona (Spelling Bee). She is so great full to be performing with such a talented and creative group of singers!

Vincent Davis is a classically trained tenor with experience in opera, concert,  background vocals and sacred repertoire. His recent performance credits include Dr. Blind in Die Fledermaus with Franklin Light Opera, The 2024 CMA awards, featured vocalist with Nashville Opera’s Opera on Wheels, and ensemble work with Nashville Opera, the Nashville Symphony Chorus and the W. Crimm Singers. He currently tours with Opera on Tap Nashville and has appeared in solo performances of spirituals and classical art songs. A native of Knoxville, Vincent makes his home in Mount Juliet, TN with wife Heather.

Josh does office work for a team of real estate attorneys at Holland & Knight. New to living in downtown Nashville, Josh spent the last few years in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where he began to venture into community theater enjoying the role of Fred in 2023’s A Christmas Carol, with The Premier Playhouse; and participating in the men’s ensemble of The Sound of Music under The Good Night Theater. Josh feels great honor to join with Franklin Light to storytell together this great fairytale.

Originally from Salt Lake City, UT, Hazen is excited to be playing Jean-Michel in his first performance with Franklin Light Opera! Some of his favorite previous roles include Mr. Wormwood in Matilda and Old Man Jenkins in SpongeBob. He also likes to read, knit, and hike!

Originally from Florida, Tessa’s passion for performance began early—likely to avoid math homework—and has only grown since. Tessa thrives on the electric connection between performer and audience, believing deeply in the unifying magic of storytelling. 2025 credits include Thalia in Gods of Comedy, Amy in Theophany, Sue/Sandra in The Exonerated, The Empress Jessica in Space Princess Wars, Apostle in Jesus Christ Superstar, Oberon in Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Grimsby in The Little Mermaid. Offstage, Tessa channels her creativity into world-building, writing, and gaming—because every hero’s journey needs a side quest. She hopes to inspire future theater lovers, just as she was once inspired from the audience.

Jessica Fonville is thrilled to be performing in Cinderella! When she’s not on stage, Jessica can be found teaching tiny musicians at Columbia Academy. Some of her favorite recent roles include Jo in Little Women (Watershed Public Theatre) and Mary Poppins in Mary Poppins (Marshall County Community Theatre). She sends her love and gratitude to her husband, David, as well as her family and friends for their constant support of her artistic endeavors.

Susan has performed in several productions with Franklin Light Opera. Her debut into the production side began when she assisted with choreography for The Pirates of Penzance. Susan has experience in figure skating and ice dancing. She toured worldwide as a vocalist and dancer with Air Force Entertainment and has assisted with children’s recreational dance classes. In addition, she is a certified group fitness instructor and has taught aerobic classes back when *NSYNC, Britney Spears, and Christina Aguilera were at their height. Susan is honored to serve as choreographer for this production of Cinderella.

Reghan is excited to make her Franklin Light Opera debut! She currently serves as the Performing Arts teacher at Franklin Christian Academy, where she loves sharing her passion for theater with her students. Some of her favorite past roles include Kost in Cabaret, Scentwell in Busie Bodie, and Fanny in Sense and Sensibility. Reghan would like to thank her friends and family for their constant love and support.

Rebecca Harding has worked professionally in music for over 20 years as a singer, pianist, organist, choral conductor, arranger and songwriter. She is also an accomplished actor, having performed in a wide and diverse range of productions from a young age. Favorite roles include Cathy Hiatt in The Last Five Years, Laurey in Oklahoma!, and  Cinderella in Into the Woods. She and her husband Sean have three beautiful children and are welcoming their fourth in December.

Catherine is a classically trained soprano; she studied at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and did graduate work at Austin Peay State University receiving her bachelors and masters in vocal performance. She has performed with the Nashville Opera in both ensemble and comprimario roles, and her deep love for choral music has led her to sing with a variety of ensembles across Tennessee and North Carolina. Most recently, she was honored to serve as the soprano soloist in the Williamson County Community Choir’s performance of Requiem for Color. Catherine lives in Franklin with her husband, Gray, and their son, Heath. Cinderella marks her third production with Franklin Light Opera.

Autumn Riddle is so excited to be a part of this production! This is her first production since moving to Tennessee almost a year ago and she is overjoyed to be able to get back into theatre. Whereas a lot of people have been doing theatre since they were very young, Autumn has only been doing it since she was around 17 when she first auditioned for Les Miserables. Since then, her love for acting has only grown. Autumn is grateful to her family for supporting her and she wants to give all the glory and honor to her Savior, Jesus Christ for the gift and love He’s given her for acting. She hopes everyone enjoys this production of Cinderella and can leave, not only knowing that things that might seem impossible at first, aren’t always, but also with a bit more kindness and forgiveness in their hearts.

Cindy Roberts is a Nashville-based singer and vocal instructor. Her career began as a concert artist and soprano with Walt Disney World;s Voices of Liberty. Today, she is an adjunct professor of voice at Lipscomb University, a private vocal instructor, studio singer and featured soloist. Cindy has performed with Michael Buble, Josh Groban, Andrea Bocelli, Sarah Brightman, and others. Performing in “Cinderella” with FLO is pure joy and the fulfillment of a childhood dream. She is so grateful to be singing this beautiful score with these beautiful singers.

Nathan Abelt is honored to be performing in this musical with Franklin Light Opera. A Minnesota native who has been proud to call Franklin home for 21 years, Nathan had the pleasure of growing up with a mother and two uncles with backgrounds in musical theatre. At home, at church, and at numerous karaoke nights, singing has been a longtime hobby of his. A graduate of MTSU (Class of 2016) and the Nashville School of Law (Class of 2021), he has been a member of the Tennessee Bar and practicing attorney for several years.This will be Nathan’s third production with FLO, after playing the role of the Page in Amahl and the Night Visitors and Sir Arthur Sullivan in The Best of Gilbert & Sullivan. He would love to thank his wonderful family and friends for their support; and to thank this amazing cast and crew for the chance to help bring the story of Cinderella to life onstage!

Chad Dumont is excited to be performing with Franklin Light Opera for his fifth consecutive mainstage show. He’s an active board member of FLO and is excited to be chosen as a featured dancer in Cinderella.  Chad has a long history in theatre and has been cast in many shows over the past 20 years, including Die Fledermaus, HMS Pinafore, the Pirates of Penzance, Candide, Kiss Me Kate and many others.

Lee Spitzer is an Oracle IT consultant specializing in healthcare and supply chain applications.   He graduated with a music degree from Rhodes College and sang with the Rhodes College singers, many years ago, before his IT career.  He also plays guitar, sings in the choir at the Church of the Resurrection, and enjoys spending time with family.  This is his third performance with FLO.

Susan Weisbarth has been directing for over 25 years, with credits including Annie, Man of La Mancha, Gypsy, Avenue Q, Sunday in the Park with George, Ragtime, and The Producers with Los Angeles’ Westchester Playhouse. This is her third production with Franklin Light Opera—and her second time sending Cinderella to the ball. As a performer, she’s appeared in Follies (Sally), The Fantasticks (Louisa), and the U.S. premiere of Little Green Men among countless other productions and has been a  high holiday soloist at Sinai Temple.  She has also sung with the Los Angeles Philharmonic at Disney Hall as well as the Los Angeles Arboretum. Susan toured with The New Generation Singers throughout the Western United States and in Mexico and was a featured soloist.  The group, directed by legendary animator and producer Don Bluth, performed with many extraordinary performers, including Johnny Mathesis, Bob Hope, and Pat Boone in venues such as the Hollywood Bowl, the Ramona Bowl and Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas. Susan is also a member of the FLO Board of Directors. She is thrilled to work with this sparkling cast and magical crew and hopes you enjoy the show—and may all your pumpkins turn into carriages tonight.

John Schultz is a professional educator, having served as Principal for 32 years.  His theatrical experience includes acting in, directing or conducting over 160 shows at every level - school, community and professional theater.  He made his Franklin Light Opera debut last season as the Captain of the HMS Pinafore, directly followed by a stint as a pirate and Policeman in the Pirates of Penzance. John is also a member of the FLO Board of Directors. 

Scott Brons is thrilled to be with FLO for ‘Cinderella.’ He makes his lunch money as a pianist, vocalist, and composer. Last season he worked with Studio Tenn, Nashville Rep, Lipscomb Department of Theatre, and Father Ryan’s Purple Masque Players. He is tall, pretty tall.

Elizabeth’s love of theatre began at the age of two and has taken her across stages in Canada and the U.S. Professionally, she spent over a decade as a theatre technician. A few highlights from her career include four seasons as venue technician with Bard on the Beach, serving as assistant stage manager for one of the entertainment stages at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics Experience BC, and working at the Vancouver Folk Music Festival. She has stage-managed TYA tours of Lava and Bones and Cranked, and served as stage manager for The Pirates of Penzance and lighting designer for Iolanthe (winner, Best Lighting Design, Community Theatre Coalition). Now back in theatre for fun, this is her first show with Franklin Light Opera and her first since moving from Vancouver, BC.

Nicholas Branson (Tenor) has been an avid lover of light opera/musical theatre since 2013. He studied classical voice at Lee University in Cleveland, TN is currently pursuing a graduate degree at Belmont University. Nicholas is a choral scholar for The Episcopal Church of the Resurrection in Brentwood, TN and was asked to perform for the second inauguration of President Barack Obama in 2013 with the Lee University Festival Choir. Nicholas has performed numerous roles in opera, operetta, and musical theatre including Dr. Neville Craven in The Secret Garden (2015), Monostatos in Die Zauberflöte and Don Curzio/Don Basilio in Le nozzle di Figaro in Prague, Czech Republic and Salzburg, Austria (2017), Tateh in Ragtime (2025); as well as recent performances with FLO including Ralph Rackstraw in HMS Pinafore (2023), Alfred in Die Fledermaus (2024), Frederic in the The Pirates of Penzance (2024) and King Kaspar in Amahl and the Night Visitors (2025). Nicholas is the current acting Co-Vice President of the FLO Board of Directors, acting as a point person for all areas of Stage Craft. He is an experienced hobby sewist with a love for historical costume and set building. Nicholas acted as the Costume Designer for FLO’s production of Die Fledermaus in 2024 and Amahl and the Night Visitors in 2025 and is excited to be working on the production team for Cinderella (2025). You can find Nicholas on instagram @nb5280

Stephanie started her performing arts career in high school as a band nerd and theater geek. She earned her Bachelor of Music from University of Tennessee, Knoxville and Master of Music from Austin Peay State University, After nearly ten years as an educator teaching music and band to students in Kindergarten to college, she transitioned to the arts and nonprofit administration field. She now works behind the scenes for organizations including Gateway Chamber Orchestra, Nashville Symphony, St. George’s Episcopal Church, and Williamson Coounty Performing Arts Center.