WATCH: CCM Musical Theatre student performs in The Carnegie's 'The Color Purple'

CCM alumni, students and faculty members often work and perform at Covington's Carnegie Theatre during the summer. There are 15 CCM stars currently working on The Color Purple; tickets are on sale through The Carnegie's Box Office. 

Directed by CCM alumna Torie Wiggins (BFA Acting, ’02) with choreography by alumna Julia Schick (BFA Musical Theatre, '24), The Color Purple is an unforgettable musical journey that celebrates the strength of the human spirit. Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker, The Carnegie's production brings to life the story of Celie, an African American woman in the early 20th century, as she embarks on a remarkable journey of self-discovery. With soul-stirring gospel, jazz and blues music, the musical is a vibrant celebration of love, family and the indomitable will to overcome.

Many CCM stars are working on the production, including: 

• Torie Wiggins (BFA Acting, ’02), Director/ Intimacy Director
• Julia Schick (BFA Musical Theatre, '24), Choreographer
• Maria F. Ortiz Lopez (MFA Costume Design and Technology, '22), Costume Designer
• Tiara M. Jones (MFA Make-Up & Wig Design. '24), Wig and Hair Designer
• Deborah Heyl (MFA Stage Management, '25), Production Stage Manager 
• Doug Stock (BFA Technical Production, '13), Technical Director
• Jordyn Jones (Sophomore BFA Musical Theatre student), Celie
• Edin Kebede (Sophomore BFA Musical Theatre student), Church Lady/Soloist/Ensemble
• Caira Fisher-Rogers (Freshman BFA Musical Theatre student), Olivia/ Ensemble
• Carter Minor (Sophomore BFA Musical Theatre student), Ensemble
• Jonathan Hobbs (Sophomore BFA Musical Theatre student), Assistant Director
• Maura Kesterson (Second-year MFA Costume Design and Technology student), Assistant Costume Designer, Wardrobe Manager
• Ashton Karp (BFA Lighting Design and Technology, '25), Assistant Lighting Designer
• Lucia Thill (BFA Sound Design, '25), Sound Engineer
• Julia Koch (Freshman BFA Lighting Design and Technology student), Spot Operator

The Carnegie Theatre Director Tyler Gabbard tells Link NKY that their productions are seeing growing success, with five best-selling shows in the past two years. CCM Musical Theatre instructor Eric Byrd often works with The Carnegie, and directs its upcoming production of Grease in August 2025. He collaborated with The Carnegie to offer more performance opportunities for students — not just CCM students, but also students from NKU, Xavier, Wright State and Otterbein, according to Link NKY. In March 2026, Byrd directs Anything Goes at The Carnegie, a collaboration with CCM. 

“These kids that are coming to do these shows are super hungry, and they want to be there, and they want to be on stage, and the industry demands they pick things up quickly,” Byrd told Link NKY. “So this is a great, great stepping stone in their career as they pursue all their professional acting dreams.”

Learn more about The Carnegie's 2025-26 season at thecarnegie.com.