Felipe Dieppa never thought he would set foot in Kentucky.
A native of Queens, N.Y., he had a successful career as a child actor, originating the voice of Diego on the animated series “Dora the Explorer” and essaying roles in everything from “Law & Order: Svu” to the movie “Dan in Real Life” before segueing to a career as a producer.
But when the pandemic hit, he decided to settle down in Louisville with his fiancée, a Kentucky native who was leaving New York to start a non-alcoholic beverage company in her home state.When Dieppa arrived, he discovered a thriving grassroots arts scene, a welcoming populace that defies coastal prejudices about “red state” inhabitants, and a film and TV industry that is just beginning to take off, aided by a 30%-35% tax credit.
That credit has helped inspire the construction of new soundstage complexes and attracted a wave of visiting productions,…
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