Mary, played by McKena Tichenor (by Marla Carter)

From backstage work to front and center roles, McKena Tichenor may be young, but she’s no stranger to the theatre. Currently a freshman at Kentucky Weslyan College and majoring in music business, McKena has a long list of theatre productions under her belt. She’s appeared in shows such as Romeo and Juliet, Gary Grinkles Battles With Wrinkles, and Summer Sounds, just to name a few. She has played the piano since second grade and also takes voice lessons. Her favorite music related experience was her senior year of high school choir—finally getting to be on the “top of the totem pole.” (We all fondly remember that, don’t we??)

McKena and her family attend OCC. Her dad is the regional director of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and her mom is a full time foster parent, a job she’s had for sixteen years. Her family has supported and cared for numerous foster children with a wide array of needs over the years. She has one older, biological brother, Zach, who shares her love of music and plays the piano and guitar.

McKena’s character Mary plays a single mom who loves Christmas and reminds herself to keep her eyes on Christ during the season and not be overwhelmed by her own problems. McKena is doing that same thing off the stage in her real life, where she tries to remain focused on Christ in the midst of her college surroundings. She says she thanks God for keeping her strong and not getting involved with the wrong crowd.