Meet the Cast and Crew of the 2024 Horn in the West Season!
Dr. John Cockman (Daniel Boone/Square Dance Fiddler and Caller) has ancestors who joined the Watauga Settlement in the 1770s and fought in the Battle of King’s Mountain in 1880. John is a professional musician and a professor at Appalachian State University. John is also the founder and president of the Blue Ridge School of Traditional Arts (BRSTA.org), a charitable non-profit organization providing free, quality instruction to local families. John, Jennifer, and their eight children live in a cabin on the Jordan V. Cook homestead just south of Boone.
Dr. Don Presnell (Judge Henderson) is a Senior Lecturer in First Year Seminar at Appalachian State University. He is the author of A Critical History of Television’s The Twilight Zone and Wandering the Wild Wild West: A Critical Analysis of the CBS Television Series. A Watauga County native, he was born in the former Watauga County Hospital (now Watson-Brumit Hall at App State.) Last year, Don was an ensemble cast member who played the role of Richard Greene and understudy for the Daniel Boone role. This year, he played the roles of Giant/Preacher/King in Mutz-Mag: An Appalachian Tale for Children.
Emma Goodman (Mrs. Henderson) is thrilled to return to Horn in the West for her second season. A proud North Carolinian, she splits her time between the mountains and the coast. Most recently, she reprised her role as “Norrator” in SAHA’s children’s play Mutz-Mag: An Appalachian Tale. When she’s not performing in the mountains, Emma can often be found working as a film extra in Wilmington, NC.
Jeff Dreyer (Reverend Sims) has recently retired after 36 years in manufacturing where he moved up through the management ranks. Jeff has been a lifelong community theatre actor (on and off) since he was about 10 years old. He was last seen on stage as Tevya in Ashe County’s Little Theatre production of Fiddler on the Roof. He has been part of that group since 1995, participating in all aspects of theatre. Jeff has been the The Wizard at Autumn at Oz on Beech Mountain for the last several years. Jeff and his beloved wife Linda reside in West Jefferson.
Jenny Cole (Widow Howard) is a native of Watauga County returning for her 43rd season with the Horn family. She joined the staff first selling programs at age 14 then began her work on the stage first as a villager, then as a dancer, chorus member and seven years as choral director. She is joined onstage with her granddaughter, Bethany and is dedicating this year’s performance to her beloved daughterJessica. With 42 seasons of experience, Jenny Cole’s unwavering commitment to the production and the joy she brings to the stage are a testament to her remarkable talent and love for Horn in the West.
Sharon Pinney (Martha Stuart) is a professional actor who has lived and worked in Wilmington, NC; New York City; and Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Her most cherished roles include Puck from A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Original Binding Prod.); The Fool in King Lear (Cape Fear Shakespeare); and the Wicked Witch in The Wizard of Oz: Live Radio Show (Ensemble Stage Co.). Sharon is currently on the board of the Blue Ridge Community Theatre (BRCT). BRCT, in honor of their 50th year anniversary, in association with The Southern Appalachian Historical Association, is producing this year’s Horn in the West.
Jason Reagan (Dr. Geoffrey Stuart) is a Boone resident for the last twenty years. Jason has appeared in local productions such as The Last Dance of Dr. Disco, Back to the 80s, and Almost, Maine. Currently, Jason works as a copywriter for a software company.
Dr. David Shows (Dr. Geoffrey Stuart) is the Vice-Chair of the BLue RIdge Community Theatre and has enjoyed acting for fifty years. He has appeared in community productions including Annie, No Time for Sergeants, and in ballets; including the role of Rothbart in Swan Lake and Drosselmeyer in The Nutcracker. He has also acted in and directed the radio plays The War of the Worlds and Dracula. When not in the theatre, he is a Professor of Marketing at Appalachian State University.
Austin Holmes (Jack Stuart) has spent the past three years in New York City pursuing modeling and acting. He is originally from Hickory, North Carolina. He has been in the background of many films and TV shows including Elsbeth. He is set to appear in a SAG-affiliated independent production this year that will shoot in Manhattan. As an avid lover of American history, Austin is thrilled to be a part of this year’s Horn in the West production and is very grateful for the opportunity.
Justice Kirkpatrick (Captain MacKenzie) is a rising senior at Appalachian State University. He is a Theatre Performance major and a native of North Carolina. Born and raised just down the mountain, he has been participating in theatre since before high school. He was recently Jocke in Let the Right One In at App State, as well as Rooster in The Shawshank Redemption at Foothills Performing Arts; along with over a dozen other shows to the present time. Justice is an executive member of the University Japanese Culture Club. He is very excited to be playing the villain in this wonderful story.
Klaire Stepp (Nancy Ward/Pioneer Woman) is a rising high school senior who is thrilled to be part of Horn in the West. he has loved performing since she was a little child. Klaire and her family recently moved to the High Country after her father finished his military career. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, snowboarding, gardening, and reading.
Kenzie Eller (Mary Greene) is an App State Junior by credits; majoring in English, Secondary Education and earning her minor in Theater Arts. She played Hermia in her high school production of Midsummer Night’s Dream, and played the titular role of Mutz-Mag! She is so incredibly grateful and excited to be able to share the stage with so many fantastic people and hopes to continue to participate in the theater scene! Let’s blow the horn westward!
FULL CAST
John Cockman - Daniel Boone
David Shows - Dr. Geoffrey Stuart
Jason Reagan - Dr. Geoffrey Stuart
Sharon Pinney - Martha Stuart
Erin Disher - Martha Stuart
Austin Holms - Jack Staurt
Pryor Rhinehardt - Jack Stuart/Fight Choreographer
Kenzie Eller - Mary Greene
Jeff Dreyer - Reverend Isaiah Sims
Jenny Cole - Widow Howard
Emma Goodman - Mrs. Henderson/Widow Howard standby, Villager
Dawn Harris - Mrs. Henderson standby/Pioneer
Dr. Don Presnell - Judge Henderson, Villager
Klaire Stepp - Nancy Ward, Villager
Justice Kirkpatrick - Capt. MacKenzie
VILLAGERS/PIONEER CHOIR
Samuel Lusk
James “Shaggy” Hildebrand
Christian Hildebrand
Dr. Lynn Wellborn - Cobbler
Andrea Lang
Bethany Burdeaux - Servant
Wilson Harris
Connor Stepp - Henry/Villager
Grace Stepp
Ava Stepp
Charlie Fox
Jania Gay
David Winkler
Aria Gamradt
FULL CAST
WATAUGA SETTLERS (Families)
Erin Disher
Lucas Disher
Jonah Disher
Bethany Smith
Brian Smith - Sam
Phillips Grant Smith
Caroline Smith
David Smith
Morgan Cockman
Daniel Cockman
Royalty Cockman
GUEST CHOIR
Debbie Triplett- Pioneer Choir
Johnathan Powers - Pioneer Choir
Will Spinks - Pioneer Choir
Anna Lee Lucas - Pioneer Choir
Ann Parker - Pioneer Choir
Larry Parker - Pioneer Choir
Mike McGinnis - Pioneer Choir
Suzi Mills - Pioneer Choir
Tressie Marcum - Pioneer Choir
Maddie Claire - Pioneer Choir
Don Cover - Pioneer Choir
Maddie Claire - Pioneer Choir