The Christmas Bus 2026
THE CHRISTMAS BUS
Book, Music, & Lyrics by Robert Inman
- Audition dates: October 12 & 13, 6:30pm
- Performance dates: December 4,5,6,11,12,13
- Directed by Stephen Buse
All shows are general seating!
All seats just $12!
TICKET AVAILABILITY
Deep Green=Plenty of seats!
Bright Green=Selling fast!
Yellow=We're more than half full!
Pink=Just a few seats left!
Red=SOLD OUT
It's Christmas Eve, and Mrs. Frump, the director of the Peaceful Valley Orphanage, is planning what she believes will be the most special Christmas ever for her kids. She's borrowed an old bus and arranged for each child to spend Christmas with a family in the area. The only problem is, she hasn't told the Busybodies (the orphanage board of trustees, who believe Frump has gotten too old and soft to handle the rowdy kids at Peaceful Valley).
With the help of teenage Thomas, the oldest of the orphans and her trusty right-hand man, Frump sets off to deliver the kids—pursued by the suspicious Sheriff Snodgrass and the Busybodies. Along the way, they pick up a passenger: a traveling troubadour who's been on the road trying his luck as a folksinger and is now returning home to his girlfriend (who may or may not be glad to see him). It's an adventuresome ride, culminating in a Christmas even more special than Frump could have ever imagined.
It's a heartwarming Christmas tale with 15 original songs!
CAST
THE EDITOR ......................... Vaughn Hardman
MRS. FRUMP ............................. Michelle Nolan
THOMAS ........................................... Caleb Threatt
SHERIFF SNODGRASS .... Michelle Threatt
HORTENSE ...................................... Katie Weems
ETHEL .................................................... Maria Fisher
MYRTLE ................................ Lydia Zimmerman
TROUBADOUR ........... William Zimmerman
DARLENE ..................................... Caylee Trimble
UNDERSTUDIES ....... Abbey Threatt, Zachary Tyler
CLARA .............................. Chloe Weems
HILDA ...................................... Olivia Lloyd
DONALD .............................. CJ Crawford
JENNY ............................ Taryn Gillentine
EMMA .......................................... Lola Davis
EUGENE ................... Canyon Crawford
FRANKIE ......................... Mark Carmona
LOUANNE ..................... Caroline Nolan
ORPHANS ................. Emersyn Couch-Thompson, Hattilynn Nolan, Aubrey Ryals, Jolene Schmid, Leona McQueary, Eliana Hopkins
CAST BIOS
CHLOE WEEMS - Clara
Chloe is so excited to be in her first show at LWA and eighth show overall. With the Trojan Theatre company, she has been a wood nymph and evil animal in THE LION, THE WITCH, AND THE WARDROBE, and Alice in her upcoming show, WONDERLAND RULES, and many more. Chloe is so exited to be a part of this show and bring Clara alive!! In her free time she loves to babysit, sing, play basketball, volunteer in the nursery, and spend time with her family. We are so exited for you to see THE CHRISTMAS BUS!!
MICHELLE NOLAN - Miss Frump
After 12 years away, Michelle is dusting off her theatre shoes and stepping back into the spotlight! A Texas Wesleyan graduate with a BA in Theatre Arts, her credits include THE DROWSY CHAPERONE, DEAD MAN'S CELL PHONE, A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS, URINETOWN, INTO THE WOODS, THE HEIRESS, and BYE BYE BIRDIE, plus indie films ZOMPYRE RISING and INTO SHADOWS. Making her LWA debut alongside her daughters, Caroline and Hattilynn, Michelle is proving that motherhood, a little chaos, and a love for theatre make quite the encore!
LYDIA ZIMMERMAN - Myrtle
Lydia is so excited to be part of THE CHRISTMAS BUS at LWA. She was most recently Edith Frank in THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK. She has also helped behind the scenes in ALIBIS and THE TRIAL OF ALICE I WONDERLAND and was part of the ensemble in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS. When she's not volunteering, she loves to write, create mixed media art and sing. She'd like to thank her sweet family for their unwavering support.
CAROLINE NOLAN - Louanne
Caroline, age 10, is excited to return to the stage for her third production! She made her debut in A CHRISTMAS CORAL and continued her love for performing as the March Hare in THE TRIALS OF ALICE. Now, she's thrilled to play LouAnne in THE CHRISTMAS BUS! Caroline is a fun-loving, outgoing performer who loves making people smile. This production is extra special because she gets to share the stage with her mom and little sister! She can't wait to bring a little Christmas magic to the audience!
WILL ZIMMERMAN - The Troubador
William has had the privilege of being featured in 3 plays with Lake Whitney Arts: in BROTHERS as the park ranger, in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS as Audrey II (The Plant), and in THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK as Mr. Van Daan (Hermann Van Pels). This will be his 4th play and his 2nd musical with the theatre, and he is so excited. He can be a bit of a madman, but true artistry is always touched with a tinge of madness!
KATIE WEEMS - Hortense
Katie is so excited to be part of her first show at LWA and bring Hortense to life. She enjoys spending time with her family, singing on the praise team, cooking, and working on their 1953 tractor. She’s so grateful for her family and friends who encourage her to chase her crazy dreams. She hopes you enjoy THE CHRISTMAS BUS!
SHELLY THREATT - Sheriff Snodgrass
Shelly Threatt has always appreciated theater. She has been around Lake Whitney Arts for two years, supporting her kids who have been in LWA’s Homeschool Enrichment program and several plays. This is her first play, and she’s excited to rub shoulders with all of the cast and crew of The Christmas Bus and to make her debut appearance.!
MARIA FISHER - Ethel
Maria thanks the directors for casting her in this fun musical, especially alongside her granddaughter Caylee Trimble. She thanks you, the audience for supporting our theater and enoys seeing regulars as well as new faces! She encourages you to tell all your acquaintances, friends, families. Enjoy the show! Maria has served on LWA's Board of Directors, and appeared in ALL OF ME, ARSENIC AND OLD LACE, and THE RED VELVET CAKE WAR. She is a dedicated volunteer, serving at Dinner shows, running concessions, helping with the holiday market, and anything else the theatre has going on!
CALEB THREATT - Thomas
Aside from acting, Caleb loves working out, making people laugh, and spreading God’s word. He has been with LWA for 3 years and has played characters such as: Leroy Herdman in THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVERH, Sinbad Galluci in THE NIFTY FIFITES, Himself in A CHRISTMAS CORAL, and most recently Peter Van Daan in THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK.
CAYLEE TRIMBLE - Darlene
Caylee has always had a love for the performing arts. She's been acting since age 7. This will be her twelfth time appearing on the Lake Whitney Arts stage in their main productions. She is so grateful to be cast in this show; it is particularly meaningful as she gets to act alongside her grandmother Maria Fisher. Caylee would like to thank the directors Stephen Buse and Jess Morris for their patient instruction. Special thanks to Jess and Zach for superb musical direction.
OLIVIA LLOYD - Hilda
Olivia has always loved singing and being on stage. She signs up for every school talent show, and she earned 2nd place District her first year competing in UIL Oral Reading. Drama and singing has always come naturally for her. She is thrilled to have a role in her first play, it certainly won't be her last. She also enjoys playing volleyball, drawing, listening to music and hanging out with friends and family.
ELIANA HOPKINS - Orphan
Eliana’s debut with Whitney Arts Theater in the Christmas Bus has been nothing short of amazing. Eliana has previously acted in Peter Pan and Charlotte’s Web. When she isn’t on stage, her main passion is gymnastics. She has been a competitive gymnast for four years. She loves to crochet and has created many patterns. With Christ as her focus, she is constantly the life of the group.
HATTILYNN NOLAN - Orphan
Seven-year-old Hatti is excited to return to the stage for her second production! She made her theatrical debut in THE TRIALS OF ALICE this past summer and is thrilled to continue her love for performing in THE CHRISTMAS BUS! With her spunky personality, big imagination, and outgoing spirit, Hatti loves making people smile. This production is extra special because she gets to share the stage with her mom and big sister! She can't wait to bring her energy and a little Christmas magic to the audience!
JOLENE SCHMID - Orphan
Jolene is a local homeschool student. She is a green stripe at Lake Whitney Tae Kwon Do, she enjoys playing softball and hanging with friends and family. Jolene has such a kind heart and loves to make everyone she sees laugh. She met so many new friends at LWA when she recently played Tweedle Dee in THE TRIALS OF ALICE IN WONDERLAND. That show inspired her love for theater. She is excited to play an orphan alongside her friends in THE CHRISTMA BUS.
AUBREY RYALS - Orphan
Aubrey is excited to be part of her second production! Her previous stage experience was THE TRIALS OF ALICE IN WONDERLAND, and she’s thrilled to continue exploring her love for the arts through theater. When she’s not on stage, Aubrey enjoys all things spooky and fun, arts and crafts, playing softball, and spending time with her friends making memories. She has a creative imagination, a love for all things artistic, and a personality that’s as fun and unique as she is!
She’s excited to make more memories.
STEPHEN BUSE - Director
Stephen is directing this musical and it is his third show to direct at LWA. He has acted in numerous productions his favorite being Around the World in 80 days. He is thankful for the tech crew, set construction crew and his co-director Jess Morris’s. He is most grateful to his wife Susie.
JESS MORRIS - Assistant Director
Jess is happy to once again (for the 3rd time) put on a director’s cap and assist with THE CHRISTMAS BUS. She has loved working with all the kids and adults and is grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow in this role. She most recently directed THE TRIALS OF ALICE and performed as Hope Leslie Trite in ALIBIES. Some of her favorite productions include AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS, THE MOUSETRAP, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, and A CHRISTMAS CAROL. Jess has also contributed backstage and in the booth, as well as help
JERUSHA THREATT - Light Tech
Jerusha has been a part of LWA for two years starting at the Homeschool Enrichment Program. She has recently appeared in last year’s Christmas show A CHRISTMAS CORAL, and as Anne Frank in THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK. This is her first time in the booth!