President: Maegan McNerney Azar

Maegan McNerney Azar is the Associate Professor of Acting & Directing and Chair of Theatre Arts at Furman University in Greenville, SC. She received her BS in Theatre from East Tennessee State University and her MFA in Acting Pedagogy from The University of Alabama. Specialties include Physical Storytelling, Musical Theatre, and Theatre for Young Audiences. Prior to Furman, Maegan was the Education Director for the California Theatre Center. A member of SETC since 2001, Maegan’s career has developed in large part due to the organization’s constant presence in her professional and academic life. She has served SETC as Vice President of Administration, Secretary, Vice Chair of College & University Division, and on the Strategic Planning Committee (Chair), Hall of Fame Task Force, Succession Planning Task Force, and Screening Auditions Task Force. Maegan is also a co-founder of the SETC Women+ in Theatre Interest Group.

Maegan is currently serving as SETC’s Vice President of Administration.

Vice President of Services: Lee Crouse

Lee Crouse is an Associate Professor of Theatre at The Mississippi University for Women. In addition to SETC, he serves as the Immediate Past President of the Mississippi Theatre Association and the Mississippi/SETC Professional Screening Auditions Coordinator. Past service to SETC includes Strategic Planning committee, Vice-President of States, Mississippi State Representative, the Screening Auditions Task Force, the IOT Task Force, and Chair and Vice-Chair of the Stage Movement Committee. He is a proud Associate member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society.

Lee is currently serving as SETC’s Vice President of Services.

Vice President of Administration: Jack Benjamin

Jack Benjamin recently retired after 32 years at the University of South Carolina Aiken and is Professor Emeritus. While at USC Aiken he directed over 75 productions and has directed over 150 productions since graduating from college.   Prior to coming to Aiken, Jack taught in Dallas, TX and also served as a lighting and scenic designer for several professional theatres throughout the U.S. In 2017, Jack was inducted into the South Carolina Theatre Association Hall of Fame. In March 2006 he received the Suzanne Davis Memorial Award. In 2004 he received the Founders Award (the highest award given to a South Carolinian) from the South Carolina Theatre Association. In 2002, Jack received the John F. Kennedy Center Medallion for his work in educational theatre. Jack has served as President of SETC for four terms and has held many other offices and chairmanships during his 32-year association with the organization.

Jack is currently serving in SETC’s Elected Past President role.

Vice President of Finance: Jonathan R. Michaelsen

Jonathan R. Michaelsen served as chair of the Department of Theatre, Drama, and Contemporary Dance at Indiana University from 2004 to 2018. He is producing artistic director of both the Indiana University Summer Theatre and Premiere Musicals: Developing New Works at Indiana University. Before coming to Indiana University Michaelsen was Associate Dean for Humanities and Fine Arts at the University of Alabama. He created a professional theatre company for the University of Alabama, SummerTide, and directed its inaugural production. Active in the Southeastern Theatre Conference since 1991, he served for a number of years on the executive committee and as president from 2003-2004. In 2018 Michaelsen was inducted to SETC’s Hall of Fame. Michaelsen has been awarded a number of grants including funding to develop theatre curriculum for secondary school educators and he received a Druid Arts Educator of the Year Award. Michaelsen also received a State of Alabama arts award for his contributions to theatre. Professor Michaelsen currently serves on Commission on Accreditation for the National Association of Schools of Theatre and frequently chairs accreditation visiting teams to Colleges and Universities around the country.

Jonathan is currently serving as SETC’s Vice President of Finance.

Secretary: Ginger Poole

Ginger Poole has served SETC as the Vice-chair of SETC Professional Theatre Division and as a member of the SETC Finance Committee. She is currently the producing Artistic Director of Mill Mountain Theatre and a proud member of Actor’s Equity Association and an Associate member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Union. She has studied, taught, choreographed, and performed throughout the U.S. Originally from Atlanta, she has worked with the N.F.L. and The Atlanta Falcons as their director and choreographer. She has shared the stage with Smokey Robinson, Charlie Daniels, Travis Tritt, Randy Travis and the B-52’s. Prior to coming to Mill Mountain Theatre, she was based out of North Carolina where she has worked with Flat Rock Playhouse, the State Theatre of North Carolina, in over 25 productions. She was a part of the education program at Flat Rock Playhouse for 5 years where she taught for their Apprentice Companies and their Conservatory Program in Acting, Dance, and Musical Theatre. Ginger has taught at The University of Southern Mississippi, Western Carolina University, William Carey College, Mississippi University for Women, and currently teaches at Hollins University. Ginger holds her M.F.A. in Acting Performance from the University of Southern Mississippi and continues to teach acting and dance.

Ginger is currently serving SETC as the Chair of the Professional Theatre Division.

Past President: Jeff Gibson

Jeff Gibson has served SETC through service as Vice President of Administration, membership on the Finance Committee, and developer and reviewer for SETC’s grant program for professional theatre companies. He also initiated the development of the Arts Management interest group. He is Chair of Theatre and Dance at Middle Tennessee State University, Chair of the Theatre Division of the Tennessee Governors’ School for the Arts, and a former chair of KCACTF Region IV. He received his MFA in Theatre Management from the University of Alabama and served as a management assistant at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival.

Jeff is currently serving as SETC’s President.

Vice President of States: Kris Rau McIntyre*

Kris Rau McIntyre has been with the Coastal Carolina University Theatre Department since 2002, where she also works as the Assistant Director of the Master of Arts in Liberal Studies. She also loves contributing to the greater community of theatre through her work as the South Carolina State Rep and Professional Screening Auditions Coordinator on the boards of the South Carolina Theatre Association and the Southeastern Theatre Conference. Kris has worked in theatre professionally for 19 years as a proud member of Actor’s Equity Association, and is a founding company member of Atlantic Stage in Myrtle Beach. She graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a Master of Fine Arts in Acting in 2001, after earning her Bachelor of Arts in Communication/Theatre from North Carolina State University in 1998.

Kris is currently serving as SETC’s Vice President of States.

Vice President of Divisions: Tom Booth*

Theatre for Tom Booth began when cast in Life with Father at Amory Community Theatre and he has never been the same. Executive Director of Tupelo Community Theatre since 2002, Tom has served in leadership positions at the state, regional and national levels as President of the Mississippi Theatre Association: Treasurer, State Representative and Community Theatre Division Chair with SETC, and on the adjudication and finance committees for the American Association of Community Theatres. Active in his community he has served as president of the Rotary Club of Tupelo and the Downtown Tupelo Main Street Association. He has directed eight Best Production shows at the Mississippi Theatre Association festival and three at Southeastern Theatre Conference and has won MTA’s Best Director twice. The 2015 production, Lone Star, advanced to the national AACTFest winning People’s Choice Best Production and Outstanding Scenic Design. He happily lives in Wren, MS with his chickens and sings in his church choir.

Tom is currently serving as SETC’s Vice President of Divisions.

Chair: Tiza Garland

Appointed by the President following the vote at the annual SETC Business Meeting.

Tiza Garland is an Associate Director of the University of Florida’s School of Theatre and Dance.  She is also an Associate Professor of Acting, Movement, and Stage Combat. She is a classically trained actor and has trained with the Dah Theatre in Belgrade, Serbia, in Grotowski-based work; studied Meyerhold’s Biomechanics with Gennadi Bogdanov; and trained with the United Stuntmen’s Association in Seattle, WA. Tiza is a Certified Movement Analyst (CMA) of Laban Movement Analysis (LMA), a Certified Teacher with the Society of American Fight Directors (SAFD), a Certified Teacher with the British Academy of Stage and Screen Combat (BASSC), and a Senior Teacher with Dueling Arts International. Tiza is also recognized as a Certified Teacher with the National Michael Chekhov Association.

Rebecca Beasley

Rebecca currently serves as the SETC Executive Committee Secretary. She is also a member of the Endowment and Strategic Planning Committees with SETC. She holds an MA from Austin Peay State University in Communications and Theatre. Rebecca has had the pleasure to work closely for and with professional companies such as Spoleto, Goodspeed Musicals and Magnum Productions. Currently she is the Lead Sales Associate with Barbizon Lighting Atlanta where she works closely with the Southeastern theatrical community to provide product, support, and knowledge. Rebecca’s current personal artistic endeavors include the opening of an arts and movement studio, Metropolitan Studios in Atlanta and working closely with the vintage arts community producing shows that showcase Burlesque and variety entertainment.

Scott Hayes

Scott Hayes serves as dean and professor for the School of Visual & Performing Arts at Liberty University. He serves as chair for the Southeastern Theatre Conference Religion and Theatre committee. His 2018 production of Bloodroot: Ballad of Clinch Mountain received national recognition from KC/ACTF. Hayes is a member of SAG/AFTRA and AEA. His adaptation of the best-selling novel Redeeming Love has been produced all across the United States, as have his small-cast adaptations of Shakespeare.  His scholarly publications explore the nexus of communication theory, theatre history, and practice.  He serves on the editorial board for Southern Theatre, published by the Southeastern Theatre Conference, and is the editor of two books about Arthur Sullivan, both published by the Sir Arthur Sullivan Society. He received his Ph.D. from Regent University and his MFA from Florida State University/Asolo Conservatory. He lives with his wife and three daughters in Forest, Virginia.

Annette Grevious

Annette Dees Grevious is an Associate Professor of Speech and Drama and Theatre Program Coordinator at Claflin University in Orangeburg, SC where she has been employed for nearly 18 years.  She received her Master of Fine Arts in theatre performance from the University of Louisville in Louisville, Kentucky; a Bachelor of Arts in theatre from Brenau University in Gainesville, Georgia; and an Associate of Arts in speech and drama from Gainesville College (nka University of North Georgia) in Gainesville, Georgia.  While her passion is acting, she has taught a variety of theatre courses as well as introductory level speech communications courses to students who have ranged from age five to eighty-five.  Her research interests include Black Theatre as well as the similarities and differences among students at HBCUs and PWIs as it relates to perception and study of Acting techniques.  Currently, she serves on the board of the Orangeburg County Fine Arts Center, the SC Speech and Theatre Association, and just completed a board term with the SC Theatre Association.

Dennis Wemm

Dennis joined the Board of SETC in 1998, and served as President in 2006-07. Since then he has continued as a committee member and chair through the present day. He has been awarded the Suzanne Davis award and believes in the mission and practices of SETC. For the past 33 years he has been in charge of the theatre program at Glenville State College in West Virginia from which he retires in Spring 2020. He has served on the Board of West Virginia Theatre Association, since the fall of 1986, except for ten years he served as Executive Director of the organization.