News from March 30, 2006 issue
Keene's star is rising
Move over Ashley Judd!
One of Crittenden County's up-and-coming starlets is right on the heels of UK's most noted actress.
Nearing the end of her first year at the University of Kentucky, Katie Keene has her eyes set on a career in theater. If the opportunities she's receiving as a young college student are a sign of things to come, Keene just might be on her way to being the next Ashley Judd. Judd is one of UK's most recognized graduates on the big screen and Broadway.
Though uncommon for freshmen to land roles in UK theater productions, Keene has a small role in a mainstage play at UK opening April 13. She is also appearing in an independent film directed by UK graduates and is auditioning this week for a role in a movie produced by a Los Angeles-based film company.
Needless to say, between classes, auditions and rehearsals, Keene is a busy 18-year-old.
Aside from a few small studio shows produced by graduate students, Keene has appeared in "The Hurting Part," a play written by up-and-coming Kentucky author Silas House.
The Marion native is a member of the chorus in "The Busy Body," which runs April 13-15 and April 20-23 on UK's main stage.
"It is pretty rare that a freshman will get a role over a senior or graduate students, because the directors know the upperclassmen, what they're capable of and they trust them before they will a freshman" Keene said.
This weekend she is scheduled to begin filming an independent film titled "Scrambled Eggs," in which she plays the friend of a divorcee befallen by hard times.
Though it's one-day-at-a-time for this high school speech and drama participant, Keene is hopeful she will be asked to audition by a film company from Los Angeles which will be looking for actors at UK this week.
"The film company is Two Bit films, and this audition is a pretty big deal," Keene said. "They are typecasting, so before anyone goes to audition, we have to send pictures and a resume."
Amid her theater opportunities, Keene is looking toward summer school but is waiting to make any decisions until she sees how auditions go.
"If I don't get a role in this latest film, I hope to participate in Lexington's Shakespeare Festival," she said, while also taking dance lessons.
Keene is the daughter of Don and Denese Keene of Marion.
Tool & die company expanding
The City of Marion's Revolving Loan Fund committee has approved Riley Tool and Die of Marion for a low-interest loan up to $75,000.
City Administrator Garry Barber said the company doesn't believe it will need the entire loan amount, but that is what was approved pending the state's ratification of the plan.
The Marion Revolving Loan Fund is a local financing mechanism that helps industry and business qualify for unconventional low-interest loans. The loans are tied to the ability to create new jobs.
Barber said Riley Tool and Die's loan application says it will create five full-time and seven part-time jobs through an expansion project.
The loan is for 10 years at four percent interest.
Riley Tool and Die has previously qualified for Revolving Loan Fund assistance. The company's previous $60,000 has been paid on schedule and now includes a principle balance of $38,000.
Barber said a half dozen local companies are currently involved in the Revolving Loan Fund program.
Todd Riley, owner of the company, said he plans to expend current operations, which focus on servicing the tire shredding industry in the United States and Canada.
The company has already added five new jobs in the last two months and is now operating three shifts, Riley said.
Its current payroll includes 21 employees. The company was founded five years ago in its current building on Moore Street behind Conrad's Food Store.
"Eighty percent of our business is servicing 18 tire shredding companies," Riley said.