Board of Directors

Nominations are now open for the for 2027-2028 Officers, 2027 Suzanne M. Davis Award, and 2027 Distinguished Career Award. To submit your nomination, please click the button below.

Leadership plays a vital role in the success of the Southeastern Theatre Conference organization. Members who participate in the governance of the organization as well as those who actively collaborate to plan events, programs, and services collectively play leadership roles side-by-side with the Central Office team.

The organizational structure of SETC provides a quick glimpse into how the different facets interrelate and work together to maintain and energize the nation’s largest regional theatre organization. We are currently undergoing an analysis to streamline the communication process, provide better support and empower the Executive Director, and ensure better membership representation.

SETC invites all members to consider how they can bring their skills to the organization. Participating in one of many interest groups or committees is a great way to start. Chairs of Committees and Facilitators of Interest Groups emerge from dedicated service. Board members are nominated by the membership and support the Central Office staff in all areas of the organization.

President

Jeremy Kisling
(he/him)

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. 

Position description: The President of a non-profit corporation. Presides at all meetings of the officers, board, and membership, and collaborates with the Vice Presidents to appoint committees and chairs. Works closely with the Executive Director in all aspects of SETC's mission, governance, planning, finance, and leadership. 

Elected Past President

Jack Benjamin
(he/him)

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 Etherredge 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 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.

Position description: Charged with performing the duties of the President if the President is unable to do so, serves as Chair of Human Resources Committee, and provides guidance, support, and consultation to the Strategic Planning and Nominations Committees, as well as President of the organization as a member of the Board of Directors. Nominated by Nominations Committee.

Vice President of Communications

Iris Goode-Middleton
(she/her) 

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.

Position description: Facilitates Publications, Reports, and new Advisory Cabinet. Works closely with the Operations & Communications Coordinator, Digital Operations Specialist, and Editors of Publications to keep information flowing for volunteer leadership and members. Nominated by Nominations Committee.

Vice President of Opportunity & Access

Carlton V. Bell II
(they/them)

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. Carltonvbell.com | @itscjbell on instagram. 

Position description: Provides leadership and oversight to SETC’s commitment to equity and inclusion by helping to create an inclusive environment for everyone alongside identity-based Affinity Groups through their position on the Board of Directors. Nominated by the Opportunity & Access Council.

Vice President of Programming

Matthew Leckenbusch
(he/him)

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.

Position description: Facilitates Programming & Events for the organization (including convention and year-round events) alongside the Director of Convention Services, Director of Special Events, and Director of Auditions & Hiring. Nominated by Programming Council.

Vice President of Finance & Advancement

Ginger Poole
(she/her)

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.

Position description: The Treasurer of a non-profit corporation. Reviews, studies, and disperses all statements, budgets, audits, and planning related to financial management and corporate funds while working closely with the Executive Director. Supports Finance, Scholarships, Awards, and Grants. Supports the Executive Director & Director of Advancement. Nominated by Nominations Committee.

Secretary

Caroline Jane Davis
(she/her) 

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. 

Position description: Serves as the official record-keeper for governance at all business meetings of the officers, board, and membership while serving as a voting member of the Board of Directors. Nominated by Nominations Committee.

Vice President of Festivals

Darren Michael
(he/him)

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.

Position description: Facilitates Festivals Council alongside the Producer of Festivals. The Council is made up of the Chairs of the SETC Festivals. Nominated by Festivals Council. 

Vice President of States

Ian Andersen
(he/him)

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.

Position description: Serves as a liaison between SETC and the State Organizations while intentionally communicating and assisting in the strengthening of state groups and organizations. Nominated by the States Council.

Vice President of Engagement

Lily Vetter
(she/her)

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.

Position description: Facilitates Engagement Council to cultivate participation and communication in practice-based interest groups. Nominated by Engagement Council.