We are excited to officially announce the principal cast of Room 627.
Casting this film was not a simple process. We received a large number of audition submissions, and the level of talent and preparation was remarkable. Many of the performances showed real depth, vulnerability, and thoughtfulness. Making final decisions was difficult, and we are deeply grateful to everyone who took the time to submit their work. Your effort did not go unnoticed.
After careful consideration and much deliberation, we are confident that the cast selected brings the right balance of skill, sensitivity, and restraint needed to tell this story honestly.
Deacon Grasty — Eli
Deacon is an accomplished stage actor and brings a strong emotional presence to his work. He made his film debut in the award-winning short film, The Reckoning (2024), where his performance earned him the Best Young Actor award at the 2025 COLFF Film Festival, along with several additional nominations at other notable festivals.
Deacon approaches this role with maturity and care, which is essential for a character as layered and vulnerable as Eli. His ability to convey internal struggle without excess makes him a natural fit for the heart of this story.
Finnegan Broyles — Ryan
Finnegan brings extensive stage experience to the role. His credits include Hadestown as Orpheus at Sacred Heart Academy, Dear Evan Hansen with The MUNY Theatre, Into the Woods as The Baker at Oldham County Arts Center, and Grease as Danny Zuko at YPAS. He is a member of the Oldham County Performance Troupe and has received a Bradley Award for Best Supporting Actor.
Room 627 marks Finnegan's film debut. His work demonstrates a strong command of presence, timing, and emotional control, all of which are critical for portraying a character whose aggression masks deeper pain.
Sonny Burnette — Abrams
Sonny has spent his entire professional life in the entertainment industry. As a musician, he has worked with Bob Hope, Jerry Lewis, Red Skelton, Ed McMahon, The Temptations, The Four Tops, Lou Rawls, Andraé Crouch, Amy Grant, and many others. He spent nearly a decade as a studio musician for a national television broadcaster, wrote comedy sketches, and was twice featured as a guest chef.
In recent years, Sonny has expanded into film acting, with appearances on TruTV's Missing Persons Unit, CMT's Made in America, SoapNet's Southern Belles: Louisville, and dozens of independent films. He is dependable, hard working, and brings a grounded professionalism to every set.
This is the second project Sonny has worked on with director Daniel Lennox, and that existing trust and collaboration adds depth to his portrayal of Mr. Abrams.
A Special Thank You
We would also like to extend a sincere thank you to Chad Michael Broskey, Megan Massie, and Devin Bundrent of Heyman Talent in Louisville, Kentucky. Their support and professionalism were invaluable throughout the casting process. They were generous with their time, attentive to the needs of both the production and their actors, and consistently thoughtful in their communication.
Chad, Megan, and Devin went above and beyond to help assemble audition materials on a very short timeline. Coordinating strong submissions under those circumstances takes real effort, and their willingness to step in and work tirelessly made a meaningful difference.
We are grateful for their collaboration and for the integrity they bring to connecting performers with work that asks something of them.
A Word of Thanks
We also want to again thank everyone who submitted auditions for Room 627. Casting for this project was extremely competitive, and the volume and quality of submissions exceeded our expectations. Watching so many actors engage honestly with a difficult story was both humbling and encouraging.
The audition sides themselves were demanding, requiring restraint, vulnerability, and control without the benefit of full context. While we could only move forward with one performer, we are deeply grateful to everyone who shared their work with us and trusted us with their vulnerability.
As rehearsals begin and we move toward our March shoot dates, we are excited to see this cast bring the story off the page and into the room.