Meet the cast of the 2026 season of Unto These Hills outdoor drama: Final Part
Meet the cast of the 2026 season of Unto These Hills outdoor drama. We hope you have enjoyed meeting the many talented people it takes to bring the story of the Cherokee people to life each season. This is our final installment of Meet the Cast for the 2026 season.
J-Leoni Walkingstick
J-Leoni Walkingstick is an enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and attends Cherokee High School. She is on the track & field team and competes as a discus thrower. J-Leoni enjoys being outdoors, swimming, drawing, writing, and listening to music.
This is J-Leoni’s fifth season as a member of the youth company of Unto These Hills outdoor drama. It has been a joy to watch her grow up over the years, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for her!
Kuwaya Walkingstick
Kuwaya Walkingstick is 6 years old and lives in the Big Y community with her parents and brother. She attends New Kituwah Academy, which is the Cherokee language immersion school. Kuwaya enjoys swimming, going to Dollywood, shopping, playing with her friends, helping her mom cook, going to yard sales, and going to the Pancake House for breakfast. She is an enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and a member of the RavenRock Stomp Grounds. She loves learning about her culture.
This is Kuwaya’s second season in the youth company, and she is our youngest cast member. We love fostering a love of theatre even amongst the littlest actors!
Philenia Walkingstick
Philenia Walkingstick is an enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and is part of a long line of Unto These Hills actors. She loves spending time with her husband, her friends, and her family, especially her nieces and nephew. She is also an active dialysis warrior, and would like to encourage more people to become living kidney donors.
Philenia is one of our longest-running cast members. Four generations of her family are currently involved in Unto These Hills, both onstage and off. She has been involved in the show since she was a child, and this is her 39th season! In 2026, Philenia reprised her role as Mrs. Perkins and is also a member of the Wardrobe Crew. Philenia is an invaluable member of the team, and we are lucky to have her.
Zayaniah Walkingstick
Zayaniah Walkingstick is an enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and attends Cherokee Elementary School. She enjoys fishing, being outdoors, and swimming.
This is Zayaniah’s first season joining the youth company of Unto These Hills outdoor drama. We’ve enjoyed getting to know her this season and seeing her grow as a young actor.
Chloe Whalen
Chloe Whalen is from Plymouth, Massachusetts. She is currently studying for her BFA in musical theatre, with a minor in dance, at East Carolina University. She recently served as Assistant Choreographer of ECU’s production of Legally Blonde. Chloe would like to thank her family for all of their support.
Chloe joined us for the first time this season. She’s a dancer and ensemble member. She also plays Mrs. Harrison, the wife of President William Henry Harrison, and understudies Mrs. Perkins. Chloe is a joy to work with, and we’ve enjoyed getting to know her this season!
Jarrett Wildcatt
Jarrett Wildcatt is an enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. He’s from Cherokee, North Carolina, and was raised in the Wolftown and Yellowhill communities. Jarrett practices traditional Cherokee songs and dances, plays the native flute, and does Cherokee storytelling. His film credits include “Your Great Cherokee Grandmother” by Anthony Sneed and Marvel’s “Echo.” Jarrett has also been seen performing pre-show land acknowledgements for boygenius and Portugal The Man. He has also performed with world-renowned cellist Yo Yo Ma on several occasions.
Jarrett has worked with Unto These Hills off and on over the years. This season, he took on the roles of Tecumseh and Elias Boudinot. He also sings the traditional eagle dance. Jarrett is a fantastic cultural expert and an asset to the team. We’re always happy to have him onstage!
Dustin Wolfe
Dustin Wolfe is an enrolled member of the Muscogee Creek Nation and a graduate of Haskell Indian Nations University. He is a former member of the Thunderbird Theatre and a founding member of the American Indian Repertoire Theatre of Lawrence, Kansas. Dustin is originally from Sapulpa, Oklahoma, but has lived here on the Qualla Boundary for the last 17 years and been an active part of Cherokee Historical Association.
This is Dustin’s 16th season with Unto These Hills outdoor drama. He has played Yonaguska for the last several years, but took on the role of Associate Director for the first time this season. Dustin is also the Program Manager at Oconaluftee Indian Village living history museum. Dustin is a wealth of knowledge, passionate about our mission, and an incredible value to the team.
Penelope Zamborsky
Penelope Zamborsky is a performer, choreographer, and musician from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She graduated from Seton Hill University in May of 2025 with a Bachelor’s degree in musical theatre. Penelope has performed in several Pittsburgh-based productions, including The Pittsburgh New Works Festival, Grease, Cats, and White Christmas. She has also choreographed multiple musicals, including Tarzan, Rent, and The Addams Family. Penelope would like to thank her parents for all of their support.
Penelope joined Unto These Hills for the first time this season. She’s a dancer, ensemble member, and member of the pre-show band. Penelope is a delight to work with, and we’ve enjoyed seeing her work onstage this season.
Be sure to catch these talented performers onstage in Unto These Hills outdoor drama while you still can! Unto These Hills runs Mondays through Saturdays through August 22nd. You can find a full schedule and more info here. Thank you for following along for Meet the Cast, A to Z!