Slate of Officers
Current Structure
President: Jeremy Kisling
Jeremy Kisling has taught, directed, and performed for young people for over 30 years. He is the Producing Artistic Director at Lexington Children’s Theatre. He received his B.A. in Theatre Arts from the University of Northern Iowa and his M.F.A. in Drama and Theatre for Youth from the University of Texas at Austin. He authored stage versions of Why Mosquitoes Buzz, Anansi the Spider, The Princess Who Lost her Hair, and The Ghosts of Pineville with Sarah Turner. He received the 2017 Sara Spencer Child Drama Award and the 2019 Tom Behm Award from the Southeastern Theatre Conference. He is a certified Artistic Mental Health Coordinator and a proud graduate of Leadership Lexington in 2019. He is honored to share his life with Amie Kisling, his wife, and his wonderful son, Leo.
Elected Past President: Jack Benjamin
Jack Benjamin retired in 2018 after 32 years at the University of South Carolina Aiken and holds the rank of Professor Emeritus. Jack served as chair of the Department of Visual & Performing Arts from 1996 until his retirement and as Executive Director of the Etherridge Center from 2012 until his retirement in 2018. Jack began his association with SETC in 1986 and first joined the board in 1989 as the State Rep of South Carolina. In 2002 held the position of President Elect and planned the Mobile Convention. In 2003 he served his first term as President. Since then, he has served as Elected Past President, the chair of the Endowment or Finance and three more terms as President of SETC. In 2002, Jack received the John F. Kennedy Center Medallion for his work in educational theatre.
VP of Admin: Iris Goode-Middleton
Dr. Iris Goode-Middleton is the Director of both student theatre and liberal studies at Hampton University. She earned her BA in Theatre from York College/ City University of New York; an MA in Theatre from Regent University; a MBA from Saint Leo University; and a PHD in Communication from Liberty University. She is the owner of the Goode Dance Project, and The Good Girl Group which focuses on promoting self-care and positive self-talk to women and girls. She is an actress, director, playwright, and choreographer. She serves as co-chair for the College and University division on the Virginia Theatre Association, assistant treasurer for the Black Theatre Network, and board member for the African-American Newport News Historical Society.
VP of Equity & Inclusion: Carlton V Bell II (“cj”)
Carlton V Bell II “cj” is a Black, queer, producer, director, writer, and intimacy coordinator from Birmingham, Alabama. Featured in the award-winning CNN Docu-Series "Blind Angels” for their work organizing Black theatre in the south as a person living with HIV. Carlton is a proud associate member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society. Organizational Affiliations: Founding Artistic Director of Birmingham Black Repertory Theatre Collective, Co-Founder of My Black Job Productions. Director of Development of Donja R. Love’s Write It Out, Program Associate of Third Wave Fund’s Sex Worker Giving Circle, Vice-President of Access and Opportunity of the Southeastern Theatre Conference.
VP of Services: Matt Leckenbusch
Currently the Director of Theatre, Senior Lecturer, and the Technical Director for Clemson University Performing Arts Department and freelance lighting and carpenter for multiple theatre, video, and dance companies in the Greenville, SC area. As well as multiple regional and national commercials. Prior to Clemson, Matthew was the Production Manager at The South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities, Technical Director at The Warehouse Theatre, and Assistant Technical Director for Seaside Music Theatre. ETCP Certified Rigger in Theatre. Past position held with SETC as Chair of Design/Tech Committee.
VP of Finance: Ginger Poole
Ginger has been involved with SETC for close to 3 decades. She is a Past President and has served in other roles, such as Secretary, Strategic Planning Committee, Finance Committee, Chair of Professional Division in Auditions, one of the founding members of Women in Theatre, original mentor member of the Leadership Institute, and has used SETC to help cast with three different Professional Regional Theatres. Ginger recently stepped down from the role of Producing Artistic Director at Mill Mountain Theatre in Roanoke, VA, where she is still supporting through consulting work in the areas of Artistic and Administrative support. Ginger has been an AEA member for 27 years. She continues to teach, direct, and perform. Ginger is looking forward to continuing to serve SETC.
Secretary: Caroline Jane Davis
Caroline Jane Davis is a Visiting Assistant Professor of Theatre Arts at Furman University where she teaches courses in acting, writing, dramatic literature, and theatre history. A member of the 2023 SETC Leadership Initiative cohort, Caroline serves on the Editorial Board of Southern Theatre magazine in addition to her role as Secretary. Professionally, Caroline is a director, actor, and dramaturg with a focus on new play development. She holds an MFA in Performance and Pedagogy from Texas Tech University.
Vice President of States: Ian Andersen
Ian Andersen is the Interim Department Head of Communication Arts and an Associate Professor of Acting and Voice at Valdosta State University. He holds a BFA from the University of Colorado–Boulder and an MFA from the University of Alabama. Ian currently serves as Vice President of the Georgia Theatre Conference and as Vice President of States and Georgia State Representative for the Southeastern Theatre Conference. He is a member of the Society of American Fight Directors, Actors’ Equity Association, and the G.R.E.A.T. Fellows. As an educator, Ian’s research focuses on outdoor classical theatre, and contemporary approaches to poetic performance. At VSU, he teaches Acting II, Acting for the Camera, Period Styles, Stage Combat, Dialects, and Voice and Diction.
VP of Divisions
Elected by Divisions Council at spring meetings.
Nominations Committee 2026-2027 Slate
Maranda Debusk
Maranda is an artist and educator specializing in lighting and media designs. They are a proud alum of Furman University and the University of Tennessee - Knoxville. Currently, they serve as an Assistant Professor of Lighting Design and the Head of Design at The Ohio State University. As a theatre maker, they have had the great fortune to collaborate with incredible artists across the country including at The Warehouse Theatre (Greenville, SC), Virginia Stage Company (Norfolk, VA), Actor’s Express (Atlanta, GA), Music Theatre Wichita (Wichita, KS), and more. Their work has been exhibited internationally at the 2017 World Stage Design Expo in Taipei, Taiwan; and at the Prague Quadrennial in 2019 and 2023.
Annette Dees Grevious
Annette has been a Professor of Speech and Drama and Theatre Program Coordinator at Claflin University in Orangeburg, SC, for nearly 24 years. She received her Master of Fine Arts in theatre performance from the University of Louisville, a Bachelor of Arts in theatre from Brenau University, and an Associate of Arts in speech and drama from Gainesville College. 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 the study of Acting techniques. She is working on a commissioned project to educate and uplift the service of African American Patriots from South Carolina who served in the American Revolutionary War, which was funded by the SC250 Commission.
Lisa Sain Odom
Dr. Lisa Sain Odom is an opera, musical theatre, and stage/film performer and Associate Professor of Vocal Studies and Musical Theatre at Clemson University. In addition to her work at Clemson, she has taught on the faculties of North Greenville University and Western Carolina University and is a regular writer for Classical Singer magazine. She is a past president of the South Carolina chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing and has presented workshops at the Musical Theatre Educators’ Alliance International Conference in London, the Mid-Atlantic NATS Conference, and SETC Conventions. Her current research focuses on using voice lessons to lead students toward greater self-efficacy.
Evan Oslund
Evan Oslund is a theatre professional from Pittsburgh, PA currently working and residing in the Chicagoland area. He first started attending SETC as an undergraduate in 2007 and got his first summer stock work through the organization. Currently for SETC, Evan is the Chair of Small Theatre Programs and Vice- Chair of the Short Play Festival. For his day job, he is the Theatre Program Production Supervisor and Adjunct Professor of Theatre at the College of Lake County in Grayslake, IL. Evan is also an ensemble member of the Three Brothers Theatre in Waukegan, IL, a small professional theatre where he is an actor and director.
New Structure
President: Jeremy Kisling
Jeremy Kisling has taught, directed, and performed for young people for over 30 years. He is the Producing Artistic Director at Lexington Children’s Theatre. He received his B.A. in Theatre Arts from the University of Northern Iowa and his M.F.A. in Drama and Theatre for Youth from the University of Texas at Austin. He authored stage versions of Why Mosquitoes Buzz, Anansi the Spider, The Princess Who Lost her Hair, and The Ghosts of Pineville with Sarah Turner. He received the 2017 Sara Spencer Child Drama Award and the 2019 Tom Behm Award from the Southeastern Theatre Conference. He is a certified Artistic Mental Health Coordinator and a proud graduate of Leadership Lexington in 2019. He is honored to share his life with Amie Kisling, his wife, and his wonderful son, Leo.
Elected Past President: Jack Benjamin
Jack Benjamin retired in 2018 after 32 years at the University of South Carolina Aiken and holds the rank of Professor Emeritus. Jack served as chair of the Department of Visual & Performing Arts from 1996 until his retirement and as Executive Director of the Etherridge Center from 2012 until his retirement in 2018. Jack began his association with SETC in 1986 and first joined the board in 1989 as the State Rep of South Carolina. In 2002 held the position of President Elect and planned the Mobile Convention. In 2003 he served his first term as President. Since then, he has served as Elected Past President, the chair of the Endowment or Finance and three more terms as President of SETC. In 2002, Jack received the John F. Kennedy Center Medallion for his work in educational theatre.
VP of Finance and Advancement: Ginger Poole
Ginger has been involved with SETC for close to 3 decades. She is a Past President and has served in other roles, such as Secretary, Strategic Planning Committee, Finance Committee, Chair of Professional Division in Auditions, one of the founding members of Women in Theatre, original mentor member of the Leadership Institute, and has used SETC to help cast with three different Professional Regional Theatres. Ginger recently stepped down from the role of Producing Artistic Director at Mill Mountain Theatre in Roanoke, VA, where she is still supporting through consulting work in the areas of Artistic and Administrative support. Ginger has been an AEA member for 27 years. She continues to teach, direct, and perform. Ginger is looking forward to continuing to serve SETC.
VP of Communications: Iris Goode-Middleton
Dr. Iris Goode-Middleton is the Director of both student theatre and liberal studies at Hampton University. She earned her BA in Theatre from York College/ City University of New York; an MA in Theatre from Regent University; a MBA from Saint Leo University; and a PHD in Communication from Liberty University. She is the owner of the Goode Dance Project, and The Good Girl Group which focuses on promoting self-care and positive self-talk to women and girls. She is an actress, director, playwright, and choreographer. She serves as co-chair for the College and University division on the Virginia Theatre Association, assistant treasurer for the Black Theatre Network, and board member for the African-American Newport News Historical Society.
Secretary: Caroline Jane Davis
Caroline Jane Davis is a Visiting Assistant Professor of Theatre Arts at Furman University where she teaches courses in acting, writing, dramatic literature, and theatre history. A member of the 2023 SETC Leadership Initiative cohort, Caroline serves on the Editorial Board of Southern Theatre magazine in addition to her role as Secretary. Professionally, Caroline is a director, actor, and dramaturg with a focus on new play development. She holds an MFA in Performance and Pedagogy from Texas Tech University.
Vice President of States: Ian Andersen
Ian Andersen is the Interim Department Head of Communication Arts and an Associate Professor of Acting and Voice at Valdosta State University. He holds a BFA from the University of Colorado–Boulder and an MFA from the University of Alabama. Ian currently serves as Vice President of the Georgia Theatre Conference and as Vice President of States and Georgia State Representative for the Southeastern Theatre Conference. He is a member of the Society of American Fight Directors, Actors’ Equity Association, and the G.R.E.A.T. Fellows. As an educator, Ian’s research focuses on outdoor classical theatre, and contemporary approaches to poetic performance. At VSU, he teaches Acting II, Acting for the Camera, Period Styles, Stage Combat, Dialects, and Voice and Diction.
VP of Festivals: Darren Michael
Darren is a professional actor/director/playwright and has been a Professor at Austin Peay State University for eighteen years where he teaches a multitude of subjects including acting, directing, and playwriting. His work has been produced across the country from Nashville to New York City to Akron, Ohio, with his latest full-length play The Consequences of Madison Mumbry having its premiere at Bluegrass Community and Technical College in Lexington, Kentucky. Darren is a member of the Dramatists Guild and has been an active member of the SETC for over three decades. He is currently co-chair of the Playwriting Interest Group. Darren is a past President of the Tennessee Theatre Association and recipient of the 2019 Tennessee Theatre Association's Distinguished Service Award.
VP of Programming: Matt Leckenbusch
Currently the Director of Theatre, Senior Lecturer, and the Technical Director for Clemson University Performing Arts Department and freelance lighting and carpenter for multiple theatre, video, and dance companies in the Greenville, SC area. As well as multiple regional and national commercials. Prior to Clemson, Matthew was the Production Manager at The South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities, Technical Director at The Warehouse Theatre, and Assistant Technical Director for Seaside Music Theatre. ETCP Certified Rigger in Theatre. Past position held with SETC as Chair of Design/Tech Committee.
VP of Engagement: Lily Vetter
Lily is a passionate theatre professional whose career is driven by a deep love for storytelling, collaboration, and the transformative power of live performance. At Wichita State University Lily serves as the Assistant Teaching Professor – Design & Technical Theatre specializing in Stage Management and serves as the Production Coordinator. She also serves as the Production Manager at the New London Barn Playhouse located in picturesque New London, NH, where Lily’s passion for theatre is rooted in fostering supportive, accessible, equitable and inspiring environments where artists and productions can thrive. Lily is also in the final stages of earning her Ph.D. in Theatre History/Theory/Criticism and Design at Texas Tech University.
VP of Opportunity & Access: Carlton V Bell II (“cj”)
Carlton V Bell II “cj” is a Black, queer, producer, director, writer, and intimacy coordinator from Birmingham, Alabama. Featured in the award-winning CNN Docu-Series "Blind Angels” for their work organizing Black theatre in the south as a person living with HIV. Carlton is a proud associate member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society. Organizational Affiliations: Founding Artistic Director of Birmingham Black Repertory Theatre Collective, Co-Founder of My Black Job Productions. Director of Development of Donja R. Love’s Write It Out, Program Associate of Third Wave Fund’s Sex Worker Giving Circle, Vice-President of Access and Opportunity of the Southeastern Theatre Conference.
New Governance Structure
What will change for the average member? Nothing. SETC will stand firm in our mission-driven pursuit to serve you. The new governance structure will allow volunteer leaders to:
Better support Central Office and empower the Executive Director.
Streamline decision-making processes and reduce governance bureaucracy.
Make a clearer pathway for future leaders and ensure better representation for members.
Communicate with membership more effectively.
Bring the organization into contemporary non-profit governance practices.
Interested in learning more? Check out these resources:
Wednesday, February 4 – Community Forum
12:00 noon-1:00 PM Eastern
Meeting ID: 835 9460 4669
Passcode: 100517
The new ABR will be voted on at the Spring Board Meeting and then again at the Business Meeting on Saturday at Convention.
Membership Business Meeting
Saturday, March 7 at 4:00-5:00 PM
Marriott Hotel - Plaza Ballroom / Level 2
Voting on the Governance Restructure and voting on the slate of nominations for 2026-2027.
Meeting ID: 879 7005 9216
Passcode: 021140