Cast of the Musical 'Come From Away'

To open its 2026-27 season, Theatre 7 is excited to announce the cast of the inspirational musical Come From Away.

This musical takes you into the ‘heart’ of the remarkable true story of 7,000 stranded airline passengers and the small town in Newfoundland that welcomed them with open arms. Cultures clashed and nerves ran high, but uneasiness turned into trust and gratitude grew into enduring friendships.

“Though this story was triggered by the tragic events of September 11, 2001, this is NOT a September 11th story. It is a September 12th story - an uplifting celebration of the best that people can be through acts of kindness, gratitude, and human connection,” said Director Jerry Johnson. 

These twelve local actors each play multiple, unique characters and tell the story of both the Islanders and the Plane People:

Cast Bios

*Indicates first production with Theatre 7

Jayson Albright - Actor 8/Kevin T.

Years with Theatre 7: 30

Come From Away is a somewhat weighted full circle moment for Jay, as his Theatre 7 directorial debut, Moon Over Buffalo, powered through auditions on the night of 9/11. While a gathering of community members held a vigil across the street in Central Park, a group of theater folk processed emotions together at Theatre 7 headquarters.

Jay has since continued to work on and off stage with Theatre 7. The former Dr. Frankenstein (Young Frankenstein), Princeton (Ave Q), Brave Sir Robin (Spamalot), and Richard Hanney (The 39 Steps), Jay was last seen in multiple roles alongside fellow actors Emily, Mitchell, and director Jerry as part of Ken Ludwig’s Baskerville, a comedic Sherlock Holmes mystery. During the summer months, he proudly serves as The Voice of your Decatur Municipal Band. Jay’s absolute favorite role is “Papa” to JHKL&P.

Ace Ameris - Actor 3/Janice

Years with Theatre 7: 3

Ace is super excited to be in this show! She’s been doing theatre for many years and is always happy to perform. She would like to thank her best friends for always being there for her.

Doug Bishop - Actor 11/Claude

Years with Theatre 7: 26

For the past 26 years, Doug has had the pleasure of working with many of his fellow cast members who are in this show. Theatre7 has been a healthy outlet for the many voices in his head. He would like to thank his wife for allowing him the time for this hobby.

Marisa Capps-Hoffman - Actor 2/Hannah

Years with Theatre 7: 1

Marisa has been involved in theatre for pretty much her entire life. Her dad was a choreographer for musicals for over 20 years and has passed the love on to her. This show will be the eighth show she has been in in the last five years. She has also helped choreograph several shows and choreographed Montessori Academy for Peace's production of Descendants this past spring. This show is so incredibly impactful, and she is so excited to bring it to the stage with this amazing cast. The audience is in for a definite treat with this show and cast.

Morwin C. Coney Jr* - Actor 10/Bob

Morwin is from East St. Louis and has been involved in theatre since drama club in high school. He majored in Theatre at Lincoln College and Millikin University. Since then, he formed his own Theatre Company called ZEM Theatre. He is looking forward to this production because this will be his first musical, and he is very excited for his family and friends to see him perform. The support he has gotten from them has been amazing. Hope you guys enjoy!

Matt Dutton - Actor 9/Kevin J.

Years with Theatre 7: 10

Matt Dutton is a graduate of AMDA (NYC) and received his bachelor's degree from Millikin University's SOTD. He was last seen in Theatre 7's Sister Act (Curtis), Murder on the Orient Express (Michel), Diamond Jubilee Concert, Something Rotten!, Follies (Dimitri), & Avenue Q (Gary). He worked with DUT locally in JCS (Pilate), Into the Woods (Rapunzel's Prince), Little Shop, All Shook Up (Jim), and Jekyll & Hyde (John); other credits include: Big River (Jim), Queen Lear (Edmond), Aida, The Wiz, The Scarlet Pimpernel, Damn Yankees & A Wonderful Life.

Bayleigh Foster* - Actor 5/Bonnie

Bayleigh is beyond excited to make her Theatre 7 debut with Come From Away! She has been involved in local theatre since high school, starring in Into the Woods, Beauty and the Beast, Bye Bye Birdie, Nunsense, and The SpongeBob Musical. You can catch her online @baileyflowersmusic for acoustic covers or photos of her cat.

Adam Lewandowski - Actor 7/Oz

Years with Theatre 7: 14

Adam is just happy to be here. He would like to thank his family and friends for their love and support. STFD!

Allie Moffett - Actor 1/Diane

Years with Theatre 7: 1

Allie started doing theatre in high school and has loved performing throughout central Illinois ever since. Thank you to her family for always being there at shows, even the out-of-town ones. She is looking forward to singing my heart out for everyone.

Emily Steele - Actor 4/Beulah

Years with Theatre 7: 11

Emily is excited to be back onstage in a musical as a proud alto! Her recent Theatre 7 productions include producing and stage managing Sister Act The Musical, co-directing Murder on the Orient Express and in the Serving Up Love dinner theatre. You may have seen her in Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery, as Mother in A Christmas Story the Musical, and Frau Blucher in Young Frankenstein the Musical. Outside the theater, you can find Emily on a bicycle or playing ukulele — but not at the same time because she’s not that talented.

Through being part of this show, she’s enjoyed learning about Newfoundland, and hopefully, after watching the show, you’ll understand a bit of Newfoundlander yourself: Well, lard tunder’n jaysus God bless ya, b’y!

Emily Wilkey* - Actor 6/Beverly

Emily is a South Carolina native with a Bachelor’s in Musical Theatre from the South Carolina School of the Arts. She is married with two children and is in an Americana band with her husband. Emily has been doing theatre for about 30 years and considers the stage to be her second home. Some of her favorite theatre credits include Paulette in Legally Blonde and Frenchie in Cabaret. Emily has loved Come From Away since the first time she heard the cast recording and is honored to have the opportunity to portray Captain Beverley Bass!

Mitchell VanZant - Actor 12/Nick

Years with Theatre 7: 30+

Mitch has loved being on stage from the moment he first stepped foot on one. Being able to captivate an audience and bring them into a world that he and his fellow actors helped create is such amazing thing. The joy that it brings both the audience as well as him is what inspires Mitch to do it time and time again. Also, a big thanks to his family for being his biggest fans, he is so grateful for their support and encouragement during every show.

Come From Away is directed by Jerry Johnson. The production team includes the talents of Assistant Director and Choreographer Kathy Zientara, Vocal Director Sarah Boline, and Musical Director Andy Rauff. 

Come From Away will be performed September 11-13, 2026 (7:30 pm, Friday & Saturday and 2 pm. Saturday & Sunday) in the Albert Taylor Theater on the campus of Millikin University. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased ONLINE or at the door. This show is presented by special arrangement with Music Theatre International.