STAFF & OFFICERS
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
LUCY BRYSON,
President
Lucy is the current Theatre Directorand Teacher at Brunswick High School. Before joining the Glynn County School System, she served as the Education Director for Golden Isles Arts & Humanities. Lucy Lynn also spent time as a freelance Director and Teaching Artist working with Lexington Children’s Theatre, the Orlando Repertory Theatre, Springer Opera House, University of Central Florida in partnership with the Kennedy Center, and others. She holds a BSEd from Columbus State University in Theatre Education and a MFA in Theatre with an emphasis in Theatre for Young Audiences.
Lucy Bryson
Brunswick High School
IAN G. ANDERSEN,
Vice President
Ian is an assistant Professor of Acting and Voice at Valdosta State University. As an artist and educator, Ian’s research interests lie in the areas of outdoor classical theatre, supporting/activating classical texts, and the modern actors approach to poetic texts. As an actor, he has spent more than a decade as a Company Member with the Colorado Shakespeare Festival; where roles included Slender in The Merry Wives of Windsor, Poins in Henry IV Parts 1 and 2, Ian in The Complete Works of William Shakespeare…Abridged, Andrew Aguecheek in Twelfth Night, and Freddy in Noises Off. Other favorite roles include Hamlet in Hamlet, Bo in Appropriate, Cassio in Othello, Posthumous in Cymbeline, Costard in Love’s Labour’s Lost, Dr. Caius in The Merry Wives of Windsor, Boss Mangan in Heartbreak House, Dev in Stupid F*#king Bird, Orgon in Tartuffe, and Robert in Boeing Boeing. Ian has also had the pleasure of treading the boards off-Broadway at Theatre Row, and regionally with The American Players Theatre, Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company, and Montana Shakespeare in the Parks. His teaching credits have taken him to Colorado, Montana, Wisconsin, Alabama and Georgia. Ian holds a BFA from the University of Colorado, Boulder and an MFA from the University of Alabama. He is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association.
Ian G. Andersen
Valdosta State University
REBECCA PARKER,
Secretary
Becca is the current Artistic Director of Live Arts Theatre in Norcross, GA. A graduate of Shenandoah Conservatory, Becca has done almost every job both onstage and off. She enjoys her role supporting school theatre programs and mentoring community theatres, as well as preparing people to enter the field of professional theatre.
Rebecca Parker
Live Arts Theatre
CHRIS CRAWFORD,
Treasurer
Chris Crawford is a Professor of Theatre at Young Harris College in the North Georgia Mountains. He serves as the Chair of Theatre and Dance as well as the department’s Lighting and Scenic designer. Chris received his MFA in Lighting Design and Theatre Technology from Indiana University Bloomington, and holds a BA from LaGrange College in Theatre Arts with a Design Emphasis. Chris spent the first half of his career as a freelance theatrical and industrial lighting designer as well as production and event manager for events across the United States, earning multiple awards for both his designs and event management through the years. Chris has designed over 300 professional and educational productions, working with artists such as The Eagles, James Taylor, Kansas, Kid Rock, Bare Naked Ladies, Duran Duran, Brett Michaels and dozens of other “A List” artists for various festivals, concerts, private parties and charitable events. In addition to freelance work and his position at Young Harris College, Chris and his wife own a vineyard and are working on opening a winery on their property in the next couple of years. Chris has served as Webmaster, College and Universities Chair, and now is happy to offer his services to GTC as Treasurer.
Chris Crawford
Young Harris College
BRENDA MAY ITO,
Past President
Brenda is a Professor of Theatre at Columbus State University in Columbus, GA. She is the Program Director for the MEd in Theatre Education, the only MEd theatre program in Georgia and the BS in Education Theatre degree, the only university system program offering the Bachelor of Science in Education and teacher certification in drama. She is also the Program Director for CSU’s Theatre for Youth programs. The CSU Department of Theatre Youth productions are seen by over 50,000 children each year. She received her MFA in Theatre (concentration Theatre for Youth) at University of North Carolina-Greensboro, her MA in Theatre at Missouri State University, and her BS in Education Dance degree from Missouri State University. Brenda is the recipient of the 2010 Woodruff Arts Center’s Georgia Arts in Education Leaders award, the 2014 Southeastern Theatre Conference Sara Spencer Child Drama Award, and the 2014 Leighton Ballew Award for Distinguished Service to Theatre in Georgia. Brenda is in her 26th year at Columbus State University.
Brenda May Ito
Columbus State University
SHIRLEY SPENCER,
Historian
Shirley began her teaching career at Central Michigan University and then roamed around from Central Texas Institute to Univ. of Maryland – Heidelberg. Finally putting down roots in the state of GA where she taught 28 of her total 33 years at Glynn Academy as their Theatre Director, One Act Play and Literary Coordinator. Shirley began working with Georgia Theatre Conference in ’96 as the Vice Chair of Secondary followed by Chair of Secondary, Secretary and later Chair of Community Theatre. Shirley is also a Hall of Fame Member of Georgia Thespians. Shirley hold a ED.S Degree in English from Georgia Southern University; MA – Interpersonal & Public Communications from Central Michigan Univ.; and a BS. In Theatre Education from Wright State University Dayton, Ohio. Shirley has happily retired to Athens, GA. where she is active with several Community Theatres: Town N Gown’s Reading Committee and she performs light hearted roles for Athens Creative Theatre.
Shirley Spencer
EX OFFICIO
JONO DAVIS,
Executive Director
Jono Davis is the Complex General Manager of the Aurora Theatre and the Lawrenceville Arts Center. Previously, he was the Artistic Director and Manager of the Jennie T. Anderson Theatre, a Cobb County PARKS facility (2019 Agency of the Year). Within his eight+ years in Cobb County, his work at the Jennie T. Anderson Theatre and its concert series, The Overture Series, was awarded a global Telly Award, several Suzi Bass Awards, and over 30 BroadwayWorld Awards, including Best Musical and Favorite Local Theatre. He served as Entertainment Coordinator for Cobb’s International Festival, which was awarded Event of the Year by Cobb Travel & Tourism. Jono has been nominated three times for Artist of the Year by Cobb Life Magazine's Best of Cobb Awards. In the last decade, Jono's had his hands in over 70 productions in Atlanta. He has worked and performed at Actor’s Express, Alliance Theatre, Arts Clayton, Atlanta Lyric Theatre, Aurora Theatre, Fabrefaction Theatre, Georgia Ensemble Theatre (Suzi Bass Award nominee), and SAIAH. Jono recently served as Lead Casting Director for an upcoming new musical series coming to Apple TV+. He also generates all graphic design and marketing work, designs and operates the website, and manages social media outlets for Georgia Theatre Conference and The Overture Series. Thank you for supporting the arts!
Jono Davis
Aurora Theatre
COLLEGE & UNIVERSITY DIVISION
CELESTE MORRIS,
Co-Vice President of Programming, 2024 Host
SETC Professional Screening Auditions Coordinator, Chair
Celeste is a resident designer and associate professor of theatre at the University of North Georgia focusing on Stage Management and Scene Design. She began her training with a BA degree from the Gainesville Theatre Alliance at Brenau University and received her MFA from The Florida State University in Design and Technology. Outside of her teaching career, Celeste has worked as a scenic artist for Universal Studios, Walt Disney World and various theatres throughout the southeast. Celeste has been a member of the Georgia Theatre Conference for over 10 years and has served on the professional committee and as Vice President Programming. She is currently the Southeastern Theatre Conference Auditions Coordinator.
Celeste Morris
University of North Georgia
PAMELA WORKMAN,
Co-Vice President of Programming, 2024 Host
Vice Chair
Pamela Workman is the Chair of Theatre at Brenau University and an Associate Professor who teaches Principles of Design, Costume Design, and Crafts classes. She is the Resident Costume Designer for Gainesville Theatre Alliance. Pamela earned her B.A. from Morehead State University (KY) and her M.F.A. from the University of Oklahoma. She has toured Children's Theatre Productions, took a show to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and is a freelance costume designer, commissions, and baker. She has designed such shows as Beauty and The Beast, 9 Parts of Desire, Much Ado About Nothing, Commedia del ‘Arte Androcles and the Lion, and Zimmerman’s The Odyssey.
Pamela Workman
Brenau University
COMMUNITY THEATRE DIVISION
D. NORRIS,
Community Theatre Division Chair
D. Norris is a native of Atlanta, GA. He obtained a degree in Business Management from Alabama State University. He began his acting career in community and church plays. He has depicted diverse roles in stage plays and movies – sometime assuming multiple roles within a single performance. His skills include (but are not limited to) directing, stage managing, being an award-winning spoken word artist and choreographer. D. Norris started Adrenaline Entertainment in 2007 to promote artistic expressions such as music, dance, choreography and acting.
D. Norris
Adrenaline Entertainment
JULIE C. BUSBY,
Community Theatre Division Vice Chair
She is the Conference Coordinator and Technical Director at Southeastern Technical College (25). She is the President for the Franklinia Playhouse Community Theatre. She is a board member for Salvation Army. She works with the Vidalia tourism and the city of Vidalia. She believes live performance can make one think about the big picture of how you as a person or group can effect change (see the bigger picture of the world) She likes to see all the arts work together to make the world a kinder and more beautiful place.
Julie C. Busby
Southeastern Technical College
PROFESSIONAL THEATRE DIVISION
THANDIWE THOMAS DeSHAZOR,
Professional Theatre Division Chair
Thandiwe Thomas DeShazor (Thandi) is an actor, writer, producer and director. He is the writer/director of “Natural Woman: Unofficial Aretha” and other plays. His recent directorial collaborations include True Colors Theatre, Teatre du Reve, Out of Hand Theater and Out Front Theater. His Atlanta theatre credits include Angels in America and The Legend of Georgia McBride. His Television credits include “Lodge 49”, Murder Calls”, “Fatal Attraction”, and Swamp Murders. He started Thandi & Company to collaborate with other creatives to bring their ideas to life.
Thandiwe Thomas DeShazor
Director, Writer, Actor, Activist
GOLBANOO SETAYESH,
Professional Theatre Division Vice Chair
Golbanoo is a Patron Services Coordinator at the Aurora Theatre. She was recently seen in the Atlanta Shakespeare Tavern's Romeo & Juliet and the Anderson Theatre concert series productions The Wild Party, The Secret Garden, and Next to Normal (Suzi Bass Award nominee). Golbanoo also starred in The Addams Family and Beehive at the Atlanta Lyric Theatre, Big Fish at Act 3, and Sophie and the Pirates and Henry V at Gainesville Theatre Alliance. She assistant directed the productions of John & Jen and The Light in the Piazza at the Anderson Theatre. She was also seen in "Endgame" (Carmen Marron 2015).
Golbanoo Setayesh
Aurora Theatre
SECONDARY SCHOOL THEATRE DIVISION
ARIANA PEREZ-LUGONES,
Secondary School Theatre Chair
Ariana Perez-Lugones is the Technical Theatre Director at Camden County High School in Kingsland, GA. Before teaching at CCHS, Ari graduated from Columbus State University with her BSEd in Theatre Education. She worked professionally on staff at the Interlochen Center for the Arts in Interlochen, Michigan, and also worked productions at the Springer Opera House in Columbus, Georgia. Aside from working in the theatre, Ari enjoys spending time with her husband and son.
Ariana Perez-Lugones
Camden County High School
JOE SENDEK,
Secondary Interim Vice Chair
Mr. Joe Sendek is the Theatre & Performing Arts Director at Perry High School. A 1991 PHS alum, Mr. Sendek is proud to introduce the world of Theatre and challenge students to discover a new facet of creativity. Mr. Sendek has a Masters degree in the Education of Theatre/Communicative Arts from the University of Montevallo in Alabama. He was a member of the Theatre Honorary Fraternity, Alpha Psi Omega and also received a Bachelor's degree in Acting and Directing at UM. Recently, Mr. Sendek received the Best Director's Award from the South Eastern Theatre Conference. Mr. Sendek enjoys travelling with his wife, Mrs. Melissa Sendek, a PHS Spanish Teacher, and their son, Jacob. He also enjoys puppetry, playwriting, and wants to learn ASL.
Joe Sendek
Perry High School
CASSIE SCOTT-FORTUNE,
Secondary School Auditions Coordinator
Cassandra is the Theatre Director at Newnan High School in Newnan, Georgia. She attended Columbus State University and graduated with a B.S.Ed in Theatre Education and has been teaching high school theatre since the fall of 2012. Cassandra is the director of Coweta County’s STARKids’ musical theatre camp programs for elementary and middle school students and co-director of STAR Productions’ high school program. She serves on the Georgia Thespian Conference Board coordinating the FreeStyle Festival. Cassandra is so excited to join the GTC community!
Cassie Scott-Fortune
Newnan High School
THEATRE FOR YOUTH DIVISION
SAM CASEY,
Theatre for Youth Division Chair
Sam is the Middle School Theatre Director at Greater Atlanta Christian School in Norcross, GA. He is a graduate of the International Performance Ensemble at Pace University in New York City; and pursuing his MAT in Theatre Education at Columbus State (Fall ‘23). Most importantly, Sam is a proud student-alumni of the Georgia Theatre Conference (‘12 ‘13 ‘14). He is passionate about theatre education in Georgia and strives to create a welcoming environment for middle school students, directors, and makers of Theatre for Young Audiences.
Sam Casey
Greater Atlanta Christian School
SARIAH MILLER,
Theatre for Youth Division Vice Chair
Sariah Miller is an actor, director, and Theatre Educator at Heard STEAM Elementary in Savannah, GA. After a successful secondary audition at GTC 2008, she attended Armstrong State University and graduated with a BA in Theatre while working as the student Box Office Manager for the Art, Music & Theatre Department. She then obtained her MAT in Early Childhood Education and combined her passion for theatre and early childhood education by creating the first elementary school theatre program in Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools. She has spent the 23-24 season as an adjudicator for the Georgia High School Musical Theatre Schuler Awards. She has worked as a teaching artist with ArtsNOW Learning and continues to lead her school in arts integration and theatre education strategies. Sariah is excited to serve the GTC community and continue developing opportunities for our young performers and audiences!
Sariah Miller
Heard Steam Elementary