PLAY - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Vice President of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Director of Ticketing & Sales
8 years (oversees all ticket sales, managing box office staff, organizing group sales, coordinating all school matinee performances). BFA in Musical Theatre -University of Mississippi, Certificate in Performing Arts Industry Essentials - NYU Tisch. Internship- Shenandoah Summer Music theatre.
1.5 years (oversees accounting activities and prepares financial reports). Executive Director and CFO of the Memphis Bar Association and Memphis Bar Foundation
Brittany Bauer, Costume Shop Manager, from Bradenton, FL. She attended Florida School of the Arts in Palatka, FL where she received her A.A. She then attended Clemson University kin Clemson, SC where she received her B.A. in Production Studies with an emphasis in Theatre. After graduating she began working for Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings where she was based in Tampa and was able to travel the world. Once the pandemic hit she was no longer able to work for the cruise line so she found a job teaching sewing in a correctional facility. There she was able to gain some interesting stories but wanted to pursue her passion of theatre. She was so excited to find a place here at Playhouse on the Square for almost two years.
Brooke Papritz (she/her) This is Brooke's tenth season as a Resident Company Member at Playhouse on the Square. Favorite credits include Sibella in A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder; Julia in 1984; Veronica in Heathers; Brigid in The Humans; Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors; and many more. Audiences can catch Brooke next season in Parade. Insta @Bpappy10
Caroline Simpson (she/her) Favorite Regional credits Include Wicked Witch* (The Wizard of Oz); Peter Pan (Peter Pan); Hope Cladwell* (Urinetown); Lady MacDuff** (Macbeth); Sister Mary Robert (Sister Act); Peggy (Days of Rage); Nadiya* (When We Get Good Again); Penny Pingleton* (Hairspray); and Rumpleteazer (Cats). Caroline is an alumnus of Belmont University, and has toured with ArtSpot Educational Theatre in Mexico, Bahrain, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Argentina, and Uruguay. (**Denotes Ostrander Award, *Denotes Ostrander Nomination).
Job Titles:
- Associate Resident Company ( Performance )
Charles Hunter is a Montgomery, Alabama native who has been with Playhouse on the Square for 2 years. He has received his training at Alabama State University (theatre concentration). During that time, Charles has done multiple shows such as Dreamgirls (C.C.) and Ruined (Fortune). During his time with Playhouse, he has solidified roles in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Mike Teavee), Bob Marley's 3 Little Birds (Ziggy), and Hot Wing King (Everett). Charles is not only a shining star on the stage, but also on the big screen. He has made appearances in the feature film Harold and the Purple Crayon and has booked a Nike commercial. Mr. Hunter is honored to be working with such an amazing staff and plans on continuing a career in performance.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Technical Director / Master Carpenter
Chris Raines says he's from Hickory Flat, Mississippi, but our reliable source (Mike Jorkovic) says that Chris was actually raised by a pack of wolves, which makes much more sense if you've met him. Along with his BFA in Theater Tech/Design from Ole Miss, Raines is also a world renowned chef and graciously helps prepare food for every opening with Playhouse. He is also the "on-call" exorcist for Playhouse, which recently has come in clutch for our more religious shows such as " You're Arms Too Short to Box With God" and "The Vibrator Play". When he's not building entire sets from scratch, cooking Michelin star meals, and performing exorcisms, Chris also likes to dabble in graffiti. In various spots you can find his signature graffiti "AMY SUCKS" which he created in retaliation to the various "CHRIS SUCKS" markings that litter both Playhouse and Circuit buildings. Haven't seen any? Look closer! Not all art is permanent after all. He also enjoys building Star Wars LEGO sets, and reads almost as much as his favorite co-worker (Moira Williamson).
Job Titles:
- Director of Community Relations
Job Titles:
- Artist
- Associate Resident Company ( Scenic )
Cody Crisman (he/him) is a Charge Artist and Scenic Artist. He has worked over thirty productions in the past few years including both indoor and outdoor theatre. He graduated from the University of South Dakota with a BFA in Design and Technical Theatre with an emphasis in Scenic Design.
Job Titles:
- Director of Special Events & Auditions / Resident Company Member
Courtney Oliver (she/her) is Playhouse on the Square's Director of Auditions and Special Events, as well as a Resident Company Member since 2001. As a performer, audiences may recognize Courtney as a two-time Cindy Lou Who in Who's Holiday (Ostrander nomination for Leading Actress, 2023); a two-time Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray (Ostrander Award for Leading Actress, 2010; Ostrander nomination, 2014); POTUS (Bernadette); Xanadu (Calliope, Ostrander nomination, Supporting Actress); The Hot L Baltimore (April); Sister Act (Sister Mary Patrick); Kinky Boots (Trish); and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime. As a Director and Choreographer she has stood at the helm of numerous cult classics including Seussical; Heathers; Carrie; Debbie Does Dallas; Rent; 1984; and two successful runs of The Great American Trailer Park Musical. Courtney received her Bachelors degree in Theatre and English from The University of Alabama.
Job Titles:
- Resident
- Resident Company
Curtis C Jackson (he/him) is a Resident Com pany Member whose credits in clude Priscilla, Queen of the Des ert; We Live Here; The Gospel at Colonus; All the Way; Memphis; and Mississippi Goddamn. Oth er credits include 3 National Tours and shows in several theatres around the country including The American Theatre Project, Troupe America, The St. Louis Black Rep, Marjorie Lyons Playhouse, NoHoArts Center, Pacific Resident Theatre, The Colony Theatre, The Getty Villa, Pasadena Play- house, the Road Theatre Co., Gary Marshall's Falcon Theatre, and International City Theatre.
Daniel Stuart Nelson is a Kansas native turned die-hard Memphian, who was recently recognized as one of Memphis Flyer's 20 Under 30, an accolade celebrating the city's brightest young talents. With an impressive array of credits to his name, including both acting and choreography, Daniel's contributions have left an indelible mark on the Memphis theatre scene.
His choreography has garnered regional acclaim, earning him three Ostrander Theatre Awards for Choreography including the coveted Otis Smith Legacy Dance Award for his outstanding and invaluable contribution of time, energy and choreographic talents to the Memphis community.
In addition to his choreographic talents, Daniel is currently in his sixth season as members of the resident acting company with Playhouse on the Square, the heartbeat of Memphis' professional theatre scene. His recent turn as Bob Guadio in the regional premiere production of Jersey Boys earned him his first Ostrander Theatre Award for acting and also marked Daniel's 30th production with Circuit Playhouse Inc.
Beyond the stage, Daniel's work extends into the community and behind the scenes. His dedication to the Memphis arts scene is evident in his role as Advertising Manager at The Orpheum Theatre Group, where he helps bring the magic of touring Broadway to the Mid-South.
Job Titles:
- Associate Director / Resident Company
Serving as the Associate Director with Playhouse on the Square, Dave originally hails from West Des Moines, Iowa where he earned his BFA in Theatre from Drake University. Upon receiving an MFA in Acting from the University of Texas at Austin, he started with Playhouse on the Square as a Performance Intern in 1991 and joined the Resident Company the following season. During his 33 year journey with Circuit Playhouse, Inc., Dave's performance resume includes award-winning roles in Angels in America Parts 1 & 2 (Roy Cohn), Old Wicked Songs (Mashkan), Amadeus (Salieri), and A Man of No Importance (Alfie Byrne). As an accomplished award-winning director, Dave's credits include Indecent, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Fun Home, The Bridges of Madison County, Caroline or Change, The Wild Party, Tuck Everlasting, Kinky Boots, Cabaret, Man of La Mancha, Ragtime, Hairspray, Li ttle Shop of Horrors, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812, and Catch Me If You Can to name just a few.
Job Titles:
- Education Engagement Coordinator
Dayton is a passionate theatre educator with over ten years of teaching experience from Connellsville, Pennsylvania. In 2023, he graduated from Berea College with his Bachelor's Degree in Child and Family Studies, with a concentration in Family Relations and a minor in Theatre. After starting to perform at the age of seven, Dayton started teaching theatre to other students when he was thirteen and his family opened a small theatre company in Connellsville. He continued to perform while also teaching, directing, and coaching/choreographing for a stilt-walking troupe. After graduating high school in 2019, Dayton went to Berea College, continuing to grow and gain more opportunities to teach and perform throughout his four years in Kentucky. Since then he has worked for the education departments at the Nashville Children's Theatre, as well as the Florida Studio Theatre. He joined the Playhouse family as a member of the Associate Resident Company program after graduating from Berea last Spring, before being promoted to Education Engagement Coordinator this Summer. Dayton is thrilled to be a part of the Playhouse staff and looks forward to spreading the light and love of theatre here in Memphis.
Job Titles:
- Associate Resident Company ( Performance )
Drew Sinnard is a Nebraska based actor from Lincoln, Nebraska, and is currently in his second year at Playhouse on the Square. He is a 2023 graduate of Nebraska Wesleyan University with a BFA in Musical Theater. Drew enjoys sharing the joy of theater with audiences of all ages. He has participated in the education program here at Playhouse as well. You may have seen him at Playhouse as Charlie Brown in "You're A Good Man Charlie Brown", Augustus Gloop in "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory", and Trent Oliver in "The Prom".
In 2019, Drew was a national finalist at his regional high school theater awards program (Nebraska High School Theater Academy) and was chosen to represent his Academy at the 2019 Jimmy Awards on Broadway in New York City.
Drew would like to thank everyone that has helped him get to where he is today, especially his parents, Bill and Jennifer Sinnard, and his girlfriend Rose Scott. He would also like to thank the Memphis theater community for being a hub for artists of all ages, genders, and ethnicities to tell their stories and do what they love.
Job Titles:
- Stage Manager of the Circuit Playhouse
Emma is a native Memphian and a lifelong maker and lover of theatre. She holds a BA in Theatre from Randolph-Macon College. During her time in school, Emma served as an officer for 3 years on her college's theatre club/committee and worked in the scene shop, where she mainly focused on maintenancing and working with lighting equipment and constructing scenic elements. Emma is a sort of "jack of all trades," having been an actor for most of her life before branching out into directing, props design and building, and eventually, stage management. Shortly after graduating, she joined the POTS team and has been SMing across our 3 stages ever since. Credits include Junie B.'s Essential Survival Guide to School; Roe; Freckleface Strawberry the Musical; Clyde's (Ostrander Nomination); Fat Ham; Schoolhouse Rock, Live!; The Lehman Trilogy; and The Hot Wing King all at The Circuit Playhouse; If Pekin is a Duck, Why am I in Chicago? and Coco Queen s at TheatreWorks; and Jersey Boys and Waitress (ASM) on the Playhouse on the Square mainstage. Love to her family, mentors, coworkers, besties, partner, and SM team!
Graham is a native Memphian returning from New York City. He made it a full 10 years before returning to the homeland. Some say it was money issues, others say it was because he thought Times Square was not great in person. Graham worked with multiple Off-Broadway theaters such as Classic Stage Company, Cherry Lane Theater, MCC Theater, and The National Black Theater. After that pesky pandemic lifted, Graham began working at the infamous Joffrey Ballet School as their Office and Production Manager.
He graduated in 2013 from Middle Tennessee State University with a Bachelor's in Theater with a minor in African American Studies. He is not a stranger to the Playhouse scene, having worked in the Peter Pan and Spamalot ensemble in their 44th season. He also served as an instructor in the education program ASAP. Graham is honored to be working with Playhouse on the Square as it served a vital role in Graham's life and career in the arts. Yes, thanks to POTS he now understands he should have gone to school for a real degree.
Job Titles:
- Designer and Manager at Playhouse
- Resident Properties Designer
Iza Bateman is the props designer and manager at Playhouse on the Square. Iza graduated from Memphis College of Art & Design in 2018 with a BFA in Fine Arts - Sculpture with a concentration in metalsmithing as well as a minor in Art History. During her time at MCA, Iza served as the Metals Representative and the President of the student body. While in undergrad, Iza visited Ireland to take a specialty class in the ancient Irish Torc under master metalsmith Brian Clark, and completed an internship at the Metal Museum in partnership with Knowledge Quest. She graduated with her MFA in Fine Arts - Sculpture from the University of Memphis in 2022, where she now adjunct teaches Introduction to 3D Design. Most recently, she showed at the 2023 Art of Science exhibition held by Crosstown Arts and Le Bonheur Children's Hospital in collaboration with the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, was FOCUS Magazine's featured artist for their January-April 2023 edition and a guest panelist on Rhodes College's 2022 Art as Activism - a Discussion of Equity in the Arts. Annually, Iza volunteers her time and skills at the Metal Museum Repair Days. A long family history and personal appreciation for theatre and film production has brought Iza to the Playhouse team.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Resident Sound Designer, 1.5 Years ( Creating Sound Effects & Soundscapes
Karl Robinson (he/him) is a native Memphian and a graduate of Overton High, where he was also a part of the Non-CAPA and CAPA Dance/Theater Department. Favorite credits include Madagascar (Marty); Hairspray (Cool Kid); and Memphis at Playhouse on the Square; as well as Jelly's Last Jam and Porgy and Bess at Hattiloo Theater. Karl was NAACP ACTSO winner (First Runner-up) and is the 2018-19 Larry Riley Rising Star Award recipient. Karl has finished his As- sociate in Business Administrations from Southwest Tennessee Community College.
Job Titles:
- Resident Costume Designer
Lindsay Schmeling (she/her) Since joining the Playhouse family in 2016, Lindsay has been living her best life designing for the wonderful variety of shows that are produced here in Memphis. Some of her favorite past designs include Torch Song, Perfect Arrangement, Heathers, and Indecent, for which Lindsay received the Ostrander Award for Excellence in Costume Design. Before Playhouse, Lindsay acted as the Resident Costume Designer for the Springer Opera House and the Oak Park Festival, freelanced at various theatres in the Chicagoland area, and has also spent time working at the Lexington Children's Theatre in Kentucky and the Olney Theatre Center in Maryland. Her designs were showcased at the 2011 Prague Quadrennial and she has served as adjunct faculty at Columbus State University. Lindsay received her MFA from Northern Illinois University, a BA from the College of Charleston, and an Arts Certificate from the Moscow Art Theatre.
Job Titles:
- President of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Associate Resident Company ( Performance )
- Associate Resident Company Member
Mads Jackson (she/they) is a current Associate Resident Company Member originally from South Bend, Indiana. They received their BFA in Musical Theatre from Ball State University in 2024. Mads has performed in Indiana, New York, Chicago, and Pennsylvania with her current favorite credit being Bus Driver in Don't Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus at Millbrook Playhouse! She has experience as a dance captain, swing, ensemble member, writing solo cabaret shows, and more. She has a passion for both youth theatre and the inspiration that theatre curates. Most of all, Mads wants to capitalize on the connection and love between a cast, audience, and the story of a show. She would like to thank her family and friends for their constant support and is so excited for her time at Playhouse! If you want to learn more about Mads, head to their website madirosejackson.com.
Marc Gill (he/him) is thrilled to be back on the Playhouse on the Square stage. Marc went to Depaul University in Chicago, but he is originally from Memphis. Relocating to the Twin Cities 5 years ago, Marc was heavily involved in children's theatre. He per- formed with great companies like GTC Dramat- ics, Sidekick Theatre (Fantastic Mr. Fox, Little Red Riding Hood), and The Children's Theatre Company (The Wiz, Cinderella, Annie). He was last seen in The Hot Wing King and Fat Ham at The Circuit Playhouse and can be seen next in Junie B. Jones Toothless Wonder.
Job Titles:
- Associate Resident Company ( Stage Management )
Maria Scott (she/they) hails from Conyers, GA and earned her BFA in Theatre Design and Tech from Columbus State University, where she graduated in 2023. This is her second year at Playhouse as the Associate Resident Company Stage Manager. You may have seen her work in Catch Me If You Can, The Wizard of Oz ('23), Your Arms Too Short to Box with God, Jersey Boys, and more. She hopes you enjoy your time at the theater and that you enjoy the show!
Job Titles:
- Associate Resident Company ( Scenic )
Max Fairman is a scenic carpenter from Papillion, Nebraska. They just graduated from the University of South Dakota with a BFA in Design and Technology. They are excited to continue their career here at Playhouse on the Square.
Meg Christoferson (she/they) is Playhouse on the Square's Interim Resident Lighting Director and In-House Photographer. Meg is a Tennessee transplant and grew up doing theatre in Jackson. She attended Illinois Wesleyan University and earned a Bachelor's of Fine Arts in Acting. While at university, Meg got adopted by the lighting team early on and grew a love for lights and capturing those lights on film. An enthusiastic (occasionally reckless) problem solver, they can often be found contorting themselves to get the perfect shot or the light in just the right spot. Some of her favorite credits include The Hot Wing King, The Addams Family (Jackson Theatre Guild), and POTUS. When not hanging over the balcony Meg can be found napping, buried in a story, or subtly dancing to her music.
Job Titles:
- Resident Lighting Designer Circuit Playhouse
Meg Christoferson (she/they) is Playhouse on the Square's Interim Resident Lighting Director and In-House Photographer. Meg is a Tennessee transplant and grew up doing theatre in Jackson. She attended Illinois Wesleyan University and earned a Bachelor's of Fine Arts in Acting. While at university, Meg got adopted by the lighting team early on and grew a love for lights and capturing those lights on film. An enthusiastic (occasionally reckless) problem solver, they can often be found contorting themselves to get the perfect shot or the light in just the right spot. Some of her favorite credits include The Hot Wing King, The Addams Family (Jackson Theatre Guild), and POTUS. When not hanging over the balcony Meg can be found napping, buried in a story, or subtly dancing to her music.
Job Titles:
- Administrative Staff Member
- Executive Producer
Originally from Marquette, MI, Michael has called Memphis, TN home since 1989. Honored with a BME in Music Education from Northern Michigan University and an MFA in Musical Theatre from San Diego State University, Michael has nearly 100 professional stage credits, 100s of TV commercial, industrial, and voice-over credits, and has appeared in 9 films including Nothing But the Truth; The Client; The People vs. Larry Flynt, and most recently, Hallmark's Christmas at Graceland: Home for the Holidays.
Leading up to his arrival in Memphis in 1989, Michael worked as an actor on two national tours, and with theatre companies in Maine, New Hampshire, Michigan, Ohio, Nebraska, Minnesota, and California.
He joined Playhouse on the Square in 1989 as a Resident Company Member, receiving numerous Memphis Theatre Awards (Ostranders) for his stage work in Ragtime; 1776; Falsettos; The Rocky Horror Show; Laughter on the 23rd Floor; Chess; and Godspell. Also a director, Michael directed award-winning runs of Million Dollar Quartet; Sisters of Swing; A Closer Walk With Patsy Cline; and A Man of No Importance.
Since 2018, Michael has been the Executive Producer at Playhouse on the Square, a professional Resident Theatre Company in Memphis, TN. He oversees $15 million in capital assets, a $3.3 million annual budget, an endowment over $7 million, and 40 full and part-time employees, 100s of contract actors, designers, and directors.
Playhouse on the Square produces 14 professional stage productions on 3 stages, and 1 educational tour yearly, and numerous educational and outreach programs which together reach more than 50,000 children, teens, and adults each year. Since March 2020, and in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, Michael has overseen the production of more than 250 hours of digital content through Playhouse's marketing, education, production, and onstage departments.
From 1998 to 2018, Michael was the Associate Producer at Playhouse on the Square, the last 10 years of which he was also the Development Director.
Michael created the Unified Professional Theatre Auditions, and has been its Audition Coordinator since its inception in 1995. UPTA is a yearly event where more than 85 professional theatre companies from across the United States converge on Memphis in order to audition professional theatre talent - drawing more than 1,100 actors, technicians, and theatre representatives.
He is happily married to Denice Perkins, and they have a wonderful daughter named Patsy.
Michael Gravois (he/him) has been in the Resident Company at Playhouse on the Square since 2006. As an actor, he's appeared in such shows as The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time; Little Shop of Horrors; Laughter on the 23rd Floor; The Book of Will; Peter and the Starcatcher; Tuck Everlast- ing; and, most recently, Ink. As a director, he's helmed productions of The Diary of Ann Frank and Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol. As a playwright, he's written Aesop's Fableous Christmas Tree and Aesop's Fableous Barnyard Bash, both published by Dramatic Publishing and performed around the country. As a scenic designer, he's designed God of Carnage; Hats! The Red Hat Society Musical; Tuesdays with Morrie; Clue! The Musical; Three Days of Rain; and Babes in Toyland.
Job Titles:
- Assistant
- Technical Director
Michael's true home is the Chicago suburb Naperville, but he is so excited to be working at Playhouse on the Square here in Memphis. Michael graduated from NIU in 2018 with a BFA in Theatre Design and Technology with an emphasis in Technical Direction. One of his favorite shows he has worked on outside of Memphis was TEXAS: Outdoor Musical, where he worked for two summers.
Moira Williamson is originally from Beckley, West Virginia. They attended Marshall University in Huntington, WV and earned a BFA in Theatre Performance and a minor in dance. Despite her degree, Moira has worked professionally as a theatre carpenter for 5+ years, including one year of interning with Playhouse on the Square as a carpenter. They are glad to be a Memphian transplant again, after barely surviving their brief, flavorless stint with Long Island. Follow them at @moiratries on Instagram to keep up with what book they're reading backstage when they're not running around, moving set pieces, and flying people.
2.5 years (directs all fundraising initiatives and daily activities of the Development Department). Gallery Director, L Ross Gallery, Memphis, TN; Coordinator of Galleries, Exhibitions, and Lectures, Memphis College of Art, Memphis, TN; Exhibitions Manager, Metal Museum, Memphis, TN. BA in Art History with a minor in Photography; MA in Art History; Certificate of Museum Studies, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN.
Job Titles:
- Production Manager / Resident Technical Director
Job Titles:
- Technical Director & Production Manager, 9 Years ( Technical Director
ensures all technical aspects of productions are met, manages the scene shop, staff and all scenic
builds. Production Manager: ensures all technical and artistic aspects of productions are met,
Job Titles:
- Director of New Works
- Writer
Savannah S. Miller (she/her) is a queer and disabled writer, theatre artist, and converted Memphian. She was the inaugural Young Playwright in Process through Young Playwrights' Theater in Washington, D.C., as well as a two-time winner of the Eleanor Frost Playwriting Contest. Her works have been published or are forthcoming with Modern Language Studies, Jelly Bucket, Flash Fiction Magazine, the Sierra Club's North Star Journal, and others. Read more at savannahsmiller.com.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Associate Resident Company ( Wardrobe )
Sphinx Curtis (they/them/their) is a costume design student at the University of Memphis Theatre and Dance department. They have been in the costuming world for many years. They started their journey with cosplaying back in 2013. They combined their acting and modeling skills to perform in cosplay contests and cosplay stage performances. While in college they have worked on many shows from working in the costume shop, wardrobe, costume design assistant, and costume design. They plan to graduate in the spring of 2025. They are very happy to already be able to work in the costume industry and are excited to continue their career.
Job Titles:
- Treasurer of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Production Stage Manager, 4 Years ( Supervises Stage Management Department
and stage manages all main stage productions). Recent Credits include The Wizard of Oz,
Tom was the Music Director at POTS from 1987 to 1994, but he was led astray into the world of casinos with the lure of making money. Starting as a cashier at Hollywood Casino in Tunica, he worked his way up to cage shift manager. Because his department continued to rank among the best customer service scores within all Hollywood properties nationwide, Tom was invited to be on the Service Committee to develop and promote guest service skills for the entire casino. He then transferred to one of the sister properties to help raise their service scores. Tom retired in 2019 after 23 years of working in the Wonderful World of Gaming, which brought him back home to Playhouse.
Tom's musical journey stated at Delta State University where he earned his Bachelor's degree in piano performance and was chosen by the faculty every semester to be in the Honor's Recital,followed by a second Bachelor's degree in Instrumental Music Education with an endorsement in Percussion. He then earned a Master's degree in Piano Performance at the University of Southern Mississippi and won a concerto competitionto solo with the USM Orchestra. It was there that the theater bug bit him while working in the pit in the school's production of Oklahoma. After graduation and a brief stint teaching piano he found the Kudzu Theater putting together a production of "Grease" and needing a pianist. This was his first music directing gig, which lead to a full season of productions with Kudzu, including "The Fantasticks" which went to a state theater competition, won First Place and took home a handful of theater awards.
Then came Circuit Playhouse's production of "Pump Boys & Dinettes" with Tom in the role of gas station owner L.M. and as music director. It was so successful that it was remounted later in the season at POTS. That was the beginning of his love for professional theater, proving what he said to his parents after seeing "The Music Man" at the age of 7 to be true . What was it he told them back then, you may ask? Little Tommy said, "I think I want to go into show biz!"
Job Titles:
- Director of Theatre Education
Ty Lenderman is a newer staff member but not new to Playhouse. He began as a child actor in shows dating back to 2009. He has worked in the community on stage for over 15 years with Playhouse being his longtime artistic home. He knew from a young age that he wanted to be a theatre educator and grew up doing education offerings here at Playhouse. After attending the University of Tennessee for Theatre and Education, he returned to Memphis and is living out his dream at a place he holds dear in his heart. Revisiting education practices from the heyday of POTS Education, he has put his own unique spin on things and kept to the gold-standard that was set before him in these same offerings as a child. He hopes that his work will inspire the next generation of theatre performers but more than anything will instill work ethic, professionalism, and a sense of self confidence that students can take with them to any profession they choose.
Job Titles:
- Director of Rentals and Facilities
With a background in engineering and logistics, Tyler comes to us with a broad range of experiences; well suited for the diverse demands of keeping our buildings up and running. A graduate of Hawai'i Pacific University, he loves chatting about travel, all things pop culture, and the arts. His retail, sales, and previous theater experience really dialed in his customer service really shine in his role as the head of the Rentals department. He and his Wife Lindsay enjoy their time volunteering at DragonCon every year and doting over their sweet baby Persian cat, MoMa.
Job Titles:
- Secretary of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Resident Costume Designer of the Circuit Playhouse
Waverly Strickland is originally from Murrells Inlet, SC. She attended College of Charleston in Charleston, SC where she received her B.A. in Theatre with a concentration in Costume Technology and Design. While in undergrad she worked in the costume shop and minored in Classics. She designed shows such as Stage Door and Waiting for Godot. After graduating, Waverly became an Associate Resident Company Member at Playhouse on the Square. She worked in the costume shop making costumes for Shakespeare in Love, Tuck Everlasting, Dreamgirls, etc. She also designed several shows while in Memphis. Some of her favorites include Madagascar, A Musical Adventure; Junie B. Jones, The Musical; and All Saints in the Old Colony.
After living in Memphis practicing her craft for two years, Waverly decided to go to grad school to study further. She attended the University Resident Theatre Association in Chicago and interviewed with 28 different schools. Waverly chose and got accepted to her top choice San Diego State University. She moved to San Diego, CA and started classes in the fall of 2019. She worked as a graduate assistant and professor for the sewing lab and Costume Design I. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic interrupted classes some, but Waverly, her classmates, and professor all worked hard to translate classes online for a time. While at SDSU, Waverly designed for Pippin, Re: Euridice/Orfeo, and Miku, and the Gods. She also got to work in the community for organizations such as Cygnet Theatre, San Diego Opera, and The Old Globe.
Waverly graduated with a MFA in Design and Technology in 2022 and was offered a staff position at Playhouse on the Square. She was very excited to come back and join her friends in creating some wonderful theatre.
Job Titles:
- Administrative Staff Member
- Managing Director
Whitney Jo, Managing Director, has been with Playhouse on the Square since 1993, having originally come on board as a member of the intern company. She is an Advocate for the Arts and is the Founder/Director of Memphians for the Arts (2008-present) and Vice President for West Tennessee for Tennesseans for the Arts (1999-2007, 2009-2015, 2021-). Whitney Jo enjoys spreading her knowledge by working with other arts groups throughout Tennessee to develop strategic plans and business management tools. She is an Ambassador of the Memphis Chamber of Commerce (2020-present), serves on the Community Foundation of Greater Memphis' Non-Profit Capacity Building Panel (2023 - ), and is an active member of GIVE365. Previous accomplishments include serving on the Board of Directors for Midtown Memphis Development (2017-2019), as a member of the Advisory Panel for GIVE365 at The Community Foundation of Greater Memphis (2015-2016), serving on the Program Committee for Leadership in Memphis (2008-2010), as a member of the Tennessee Arts Commission Theatre Grant Approval Committee (1999-2004), Vice President of the Board of Directors for Voices of the South (1999-2000), and a participant in Johns Hopkins University's Listening Post (2003-2009). Whitney Jo received her BA in Theatre Arts from Virginia Tech (1993) and is a graduate of Leadership Memphis Fast Track (2008). In 2003, Whitney Jo was recognized by Memphis Woman Magazine as one of the 50 Woman in Memphis Who Make a Difference, in 2010 she was named one of Memphis' Top 40 under 40 by the Memphis Business Journal, and in 2019, Whitney Jo was recognized as one of Memphis' Super Women by the Memphis Business Journal. She was also recognized by Governor Haslam in 2012 and 2017 for her dedication to advocating the arts throughout the State of Tennessee.