Treyton Blackburn, currently a student at the University of Kentucky, has a long and successful acting resume to show for his relatively short involvement in the performing arts. Blackburn first came to Artists Collaborative Theatre in 2011 at age 14 to participate in a production of Grease. The high school freshman quickly fell in love with all aspects of theatre, returning to ACT in various roles at every opportunity.  

From 2011 to present, Blackburn has appeared on stage in numerous productions, participated in set design and construction, lighting and sound design and operation, co-directing, and directing.  

He has also performed in and directed the annual production of Blood Song: The Story of the Hatfields & the McCoys for several years, which holds the official title of Kentucky’s State Play for The Feud. 

Currently, Blackburn is a senior at the University of Kentucky where he is working on a double major in Theatre and Political Science. He has directed five student shows with the Department of Theatre & Dance, and through that work he made quite an impression on department faculty. In 2018, Blackburn earned the honor of becoming the first undergraduate student to ever direct a UK mainstage public theatre production with the showing of Peter and the Starcatcher.  

Blackburn gives much credit for his current success to ACT and mentor Stephanie Richards. “Without ACT there is no way I would be where I am today. ACT helped ignite a passion in me that has directed the path of my future. I am forever grateful for the training I received there, the professional and personal relationships formed there over the years, and the support I continue to be blessed with from my ACT family.” 

Since moving to Lexington to pursue his college education, Blackburn returns to ACT as often as possible to work with his first and favorite theatre. In the past year alone, he has helped direct two productions: The Christians and Send Me No Flowers, which went on to compete at the Kentucky Theatre Association annual conference and win Best Ensemble.