The following is this week’s I AM, YOU ARE, WE ARE Honoree, by Jodie Ingram
(ABOVE) Silhouette photo taken by Mackenzie Kizer Photography after Lion King dress rehearsal.
Bailey Thompson is a true Vermilion County showstopper. She uses her amazing talents and her big heart to make our community a better place. Her nomination stated, “she is incredibly kind, talented, and a hardworking person. She has dedicated so much time to our theatre community, specifically with children. She is down to help with any project you need, especially if it is benefiting the community.”
Bailey was born and raised in Vermilion County. She grew up in a family that loved theatre and that has shaped her into the person she is today. She began performing at the age of 6 and was performing professionally by high school. She graduated high school early to pursue theatre and start her own business, Party Princess Bailey. She continued her education at the University of Indianapolis getting a degree in Theatre Education and Special Education.
Bailey is now married to Tyler, and they will be celebrating 5 years of marriage in November (happy early anniversary!) They have 3 children Gideon, Hiram (Hank), and Zuzu. They own Spotlight Performing Arts where they provide piano, guitar, and voice lessons. They also provide audition prep and weekly theatre workshops. The idea of this business is to, “give every child a chance to shine.” You can find them at Mad Goat performing their Coffee House Series once a month.
Bailey loves performing, but her true passion lies in directing. She recently experienced a full circle moment, and I could not love it more. Bailey got her high school senior pictures done at the Fisher Theater before its restoration. At the time the theater was just remnants of its once majestic reign. Fast forward to this year, she directed the children’s DLO Musical the Lion King. The children performed at the beautifully restored Fisher Theater, and it sold out not only once but twice! To see the theater come alive and to be a part of that moment is why Bailey does what she does. She loves to give back to the community and she loves to be part of the positive shift that is happening in Vermilion County right now.
Thank you, Bailey Thompson, for sharing your gifts with our community. Thank you for being the Princess of the party, for bringing music to our ears, and smiles to our faces. The hard work and dedication you put in does not go unnoticed. The show must go on and we can’t wait to see what you bring us next!
If you have someone you would like to share,
visit https://forms.gle/deCPiQ1cxn1pDLhZ9
or contact Ashton Greer, City of Danville agreer@cityofdanville.org or
Nicole Van Hyfte, Vermilion Advantage nvanhyfte@vermilionadvantage.com.
News story here.
