Personnel

"[Eben's] contributions to theatre in Kentucky are extraordinary, not only with his own productions, but with his work bringing greater recognition to theatre and drama across the state. In the world of outdoor drama, he is legendary."
-- Ann Latta, Kentucky State Auditor
and former Secretary of Tourism and Development

For over five decades, the husband-and-wife team of Eben and Charlotte Henson have devoted themselves to keeping Kentucky's oldest outdoor theatre afloat as a labor of love for actors and the community.

Now, with the passing of Eben Henson, Charlotte, Holly and Robby Henson are keeping up the high standards set by the man everyone knew "the Colonel."

Holly Henson, Artistic Director

The Artistic Director of Kentucky's Oldest Outdoor Theatre spends her winters working as a standup comedian headlining major comedy clubs throughout the U.S. She has appeared on MTV, the USA Network and Comedy Central. As a writer/ producer, her original variety shows have played in numerous Midwestern casinos. She is the author of Fifty Years Under the Stars which contains the offbeat history of Pioneer Playhouse. Holly has logged over 250 hours as both writer and TV personality for an ABC-affiliate station in Minneapolis, Minnesota and was first runner up in the 2002 Twin Cities Laff Off comedy competition. For more information, visit www.hollyhenson.com.

Robby Henson, Director

Robby Henson received his MFA in film from New York University and directed his first production at Pioneer Playhouse in 1983. His award-winning documentaries have shown at the Sundance Film Festival, the Guggenheim Museum and on PBS. He wrote, produced and directed Pharaoh's Army, a Civil War drama starring Chris Cooper, Kris Kristofferson and Patricia Clarkson.

Recent work includes writing and directing the The Badge, an award-winning New Orleans crime drama starring Billy Bob Thornton, Patricia Arquette, Sela Ward and Thomas Hayden Church.

His thriller The Visitation, based on the bestselling novel by Frank Peretti and starring Randy Travis, Kelly Lynch and Edward Furlong, was released by 20th Century Fox in 2005. His current project House, with Michael Madsen, was filmed in Poland and will be released by Lionsgate Films this fall.

Col. Eben C. Henson, 1923 - 2004

The founder of Pioneer Playhouse served as location representative for six major movie companies and was author of the book How to Play the Voice as an Instrument. This former mayor of Danville has been a leading force in bringing film productions to the Bluegrass area and has served in that capacity under six governors. For his work in helping establish the outdoor drama movement in the state, he received the Governor's 'Pioneering Award.' Along with Rosemary Clooney and Loretta Lynn, he was one of six recipients to receive a Sidewalk Star in downtown Lexington.

As president and founding member of the Kentucky Arts Commission, he once visited the White House to consult on the formation of the National Endowment for the Arts. In addition to establishing the first State Theatre in the nation, he was also instrumental in helping form Kentucky's first Film Commission -- bringing an additional 14 movies to the region.

840 Stanford Rd. Danville, KY | 40422 859-236-2747 pioneer@mis.net