Michael Cochran in his 39th year with MHT. He has a Bachelors degree in theatre from the University of Wisconsin Whitewater. He attended Graduate school at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa and Graduated with a Master of Fine Arts degree in theatre from Southern IL University at Carbondale. Michael is a past board member of Arts KY and the Kentucky Theatre Association and is currently on the board of American Association of Community Theatre. He has worked in a variety of professional theatres and theme parks. In addition Michael has worked professionally in dance, television, and film and has won awards for design and acting. His original play ETERNITY was selected as one of the winners of the AACT NewPlay Fest 2018 and was published by Dramatic Publishing. He is married to April Cochran. Michael and April were awarded the City of Paducah Mayors Award of Merit and the Chamber of Commerce Summit Award for their 30+ years of work at MHT.

Email Michael or call him at 270.444.6828 ext. 105

Emily Griffin graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a B.A. in Communication and Theatre Education. She was also the recipient of the Purple and Old Gold Award for Conspicuous Achievement in Performance Studies. She completed her student teaching in St. Paul, Minnesota at Central High School working with the Central Touring Theatre. Emily taught at the Des Moines Playhouse for ten years after completing two summer internships at the Playhouse. Emily’s first teaching job was at Central Middle School in Columbia Heights, Minnesota before returning to Iowa to take over as the director of Hoover Drama at Hoover High School in Des Moines Iowa. In addition to directing an award-winning theatre program, Emily taught classes in performance, technical theatre, and musical theatre. She enjoys writing plays for young actors and has had several plays receive All-State nominations with the Iowa High School Speech Association. She loves to spend time with her three nephews, Arlo, Hayes, and Gabriel. 

Email Emily or call her at 270.444.6828 ext. 102

Emi has been the principal choreographer for The Market House Theatre since 2009. A dance graduate from Belhaven University, Emi helped found and is now the Dance Program Director for the Theatre’s premier dance program, DanceMHT, where she teaches dance classes for preschoolers to adults. When Emi isn’t dancing, she is homeschooling her four wonderful children.

Email Emi

April Cochran is a theatre teaching artist who recently retired from Market House Theatre after a 35 year career, including 10 years as Artistic Director and the last 21 years as Education Director. She now focuses on early childhood drama programming for MHT. April has worked as a creative drama specialist and director of children’s theatre productions for over 40 years for school systems, parks and recreation programs, professional theatre and community theatres throughout the Midwest. She was awarded the Distinguished Merit Award from the American Association of Community Theatre in 2011 for her work at MHT and in Western Kentucky Schools. April and her husband Michael were awarded the City of Paducah Mayors Award of Merit and the Chamber of Commerce Summit Award for their 30+ years of work at MHT. In 2017 she was named a Commonwealth Ambassador. April is also a Duchess of Paducah, a Kentucky Colonel, and a board member of Paducah’s Creative and Cultural Council.

Email April

Jerome graduated from Southern Illinois University (SIU) with a degree in theater, specializing in technical direction. While at SIU, he was hired as Carpenter and Sound Technician for the theater as well as having sound designed several shows including The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, Pippin, Punk Rock, and many others. In his final year he technical directed a production of To Kill a Mockingbird and was Assistant Technical Director for Sunday in the Park with George. Jerome also spent three summers working at McLeod Summer Playhouse as Carpenter, Lead Carpenter, then finally Sound Designer, working on such productions as Sister Act, Mamma Mia, 9 to 5, Gypsy, and eight additional shows. Jerome has been participating in theater in some capacity for over 15 years and has worked on over 40 productions.

Email Jerome

Alexandra Brue (she/her) is a 2020 graduate of SIU Carbondale with a Bachelor’s of Arts in Theatre, with a focus in Stage Management and Props. She hails from Chandlerville, a very small town in Illinois where her passion for theatre started in high school. Since then she has worked various jobs in theatre including stage management, props work, scenic painting and carpentry, and helps with electrics for shows whenever she can. Every element of theatre is good to know as a stage manager and when she can get her hands dirty, it’s a fun day. Some of her recent credits includes Mississippi Goddamn, Torch Song, and Days of Rage at Playhouse on the Square in Memphis, TN. Some of her favorite Stage Management credits include Sunday in the Park with George, The 39 Steps, and Million Dollar Quartet.

Email Alexandra

Caleb is dedicated to creating and developing ways to share the power of the arts and arts education with the community through engaging content and effective media. Caleb’s work has been featured in many local publications such as the Paducah Sun and Vue Magazine and by other organizations like the Merryman House Domestic Crisis Center. “The arts are for everyone. Art provides an opportunity for individuals to explore the world, society, and personally reflect. Market House Theatre works to make the arts accessible to all which drives me to continue to be a part of their mission.” Caleb is an Eagle Scout and Alumni of West Kentucky Community & Technical College (WKCTC). He recently earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Studies from Northern Kentucky University (NKU). Outside of his work, he continues to be involved in the Scouts BSA program and directs Merit Badge College at WKCTC.

Email Caleb or call him at 270.444.6828 ext. 113

Lisa Humphrey joined the staff of Market House Theatre as Box Office Manager in January, 2020. However, she has been involved at MHT since 1980. Lisa has worn many hats over the years; she has acted in multiple shows, worked as both light and sound board operator, served as assistant director/stage manager, built sets, served on the Board of Directors, and even directed several shows. “I have a deep love for Market House Theatre and felt like I was coming home when I joined the staff.” Prior to working here, Lisa owned the Itty Bitty Knitty Shop and is still an avid knitter and crocheter. Lisa earned a Bachelors of Science in Psychology and History from Murray State University. She loves spending time with her dog, Rosie.

Email Lisa or call her at 270.444.6828 ext. 1