Valentine’s Cabaret

Chandler is no stranger to the Strauss.  She has been seen on the mainstage as Alice Murphy in Bright Star, Amy in Company, and Sister Mary Robert Anne in Nunsense.

Kylie is originally from Walker, LA and relocated to Monroe in 2017 to attend ULM. She decided to stick around after graduating and found a home in Strauss Theatre Center. Outside of the theatre, Kylie enjoys re-watching TV shows, crying over Taylor Swift, and game nights with friends. Music and theater have been part of her life for as long as she can remember. She has also served on creative teams both at Strauss Mainstage and it's youth counterpart SYAA. Some of her featured credits include: The Last Five Years (Cathy), Bright Star (Lucy), Company (April), and The Addams Family (Alice).

Ben has been performing since he was 7, when he made his debut as a Munchkin in The Wizard of Oz at Strauss Theatre Center. He was later seen on the STC stage as an Oompa-Loompa in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and as Winthrop Paroo in The Music Man. He spent ages 8-18 performing in many productions at Strauss Youth Academy for the Arts. Some of his favorite roles there include Michael Banks in Mary Poppins, John Brooke in Little Women the Musical, and Aladdin in Aladdin. He was most recently seen on stage here at STC as Ensemble in The Wedding Singer and as Billy Cane in Bright Star. Ben is currently attending the University of Louisiana at Monroe, pursuing a BFA degree with a concentration in Graphic Design.

Michael Matherne is an avid participant at Strauss Theatre Center, and lover of burgers. To buy his groceries, Michael is a videographer at KNOE. He also serves as the Promotional Producer for Strauss Theatre Center. Previously, Michael served as the Music Director/Co-Choreographer of Strauss Youth Academy for the Arts (SYAA)’s: A Christmas Carol, which was his first production to be involved with as a creative. Most recently, Michael served as the Co-Director for SYAA’s: Cinderella. Recent roles you may have seen Michael perform include: Frank Butler (Annie Get Your Gun | Strauss Little Theatre | 2022), Jesus (Godspell | Strauss Little Theatre | 2019), and Freddy Eynsford Hill (My Fair Lady | Strauss Little Theatre | 2017).

Matthew is a Monroe city native; by day he works as the decorator/media manager for Butter A Louisiana Bakery. In the evenings he is a volunteer, singer, and performer at the Strauss Theatre Center. His most notable roles include: Charlie Davenport in Annie Get Your Gun and Madam Blackwell in Molly Howard Is No More. He has also been featured in the Strauss Valentine’s Cabaret and the Coat Rack in the Strauss production of Company, as well as cohosting the 2022 Christopher Awards.

Emily is a north Louisiana native, singer, and stage performer. She fell in love in love with music and the performing arts at a young age after seeing State Fair at Strauss Little Theatre Center in Monroe, LA. She has performed in many musicals and plays throughout her life. Some of her most notable roles include: Ado Annie in Oklahoma!, Jack's Mother in Into the Woods, Jackie Noelle in Disaster!, Sister Mary Amnesia in Nunsense, and Dolly Tate in Annie Get Your Gun. Emily began her directing career Assistant Directing Arsenic and Old Lace and Directing the 3-week SOLD OUT performance of Steel Magnolias. Her favorite types of performances include comedy, singing, and improv.

Originally from South Carolina, Joseph met Emily on a roof in Texas the summer after they graduated high school. They now have 3 kids and have lived in Monroe for the past 7 years.