People

A lifelong passion for supporting live theater led Joan to an involvement with Southside Theatre spanning more than forty years. Her initial transition into a role as a member and volunteer house worker was prompted by the participation of her two daughters in the productions of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (1986) and The Wizard of Oz (1992).

As a graduate of Georgia State University in Youth Administration, Joan’s career and volunteer path has consistently focused on serving young people. This dedication has been expressed through her various roles with the Fulton County Board of Education, recreation programs at Duncan Park, the nature camp at Cochran Mill Nature Center, the Renaissance Festival, the Girl Scouts, the PTA, the STEM program at Evoline C. West Elementary, and youth programs at the First Baptist Church of Fairburn.

Guided by the belief that the key to a stronger, united community is the continued support and involvement of people of all ages, Joan’s commitment to service remains the driving force behind her ongoing work.

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Drew has been active at STG since he was a child. Though he may not have been seen on stage, he has worked diligently off-stage to make sure shows run smoothly and look their best. He loves the challenge of setting and designing lights along with creating spectacular sets. He is a graduate from Kennesaw State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management and when not at the theatre he enjoys volunteering at Royal Animal Refuge and Angels Among Us pet rescue.

Tammy is honored to be serving as President once more at STG. She is a retired teacher who loves the arts. When not at the theatre you can find her at the Coweta Extension office where she serves as a 4-H Program Assistant. She is also the West Georgia RESA Coordinator of Middle and High School Academic Bowl. She loves getting to do all the fun stuff now that she is “retired”.

Nancy, a lifelong musician and music teacher, came to STG in 2017 to play piano for a production of Suds, and never left. She immediately fell in love with this Theatre and its wonderful people.

Over the years, she has worked with STG, on and off stage, running lights, sound, building sets, and has had the privilege of Music Directing Mary Poppins and Cinderella. Most recently she found herself on stage in the recent production of M*A*S*H.

Nancy attended Juilliard, and NYU where she graduated with a Bachelor's of Music in Performance and a minor in Education. Nancy is a full-time Realtor and continues to coach and teach whenever she can.

Nancy is excited to serve STG as Member At Large and get the word out to everyone about this wonderful Theatre.  When Nancy is not at the Theatre, she enjoys spending time with her husband, son and daughter-in-law, and doting on her new grandson.

Chris Shellnutt is a Fairburn native and has appeared in over 40 productions as a performer. He has served as president and treasurer of Southside Theatre Guild as well as Lighting Designer, Stage Manager, Property Coordinator, Set Designer and Director for dozens of STG productions. Some favorite acting roles include Rick in The Nerd, Dolan in Mister Roberts, Tin Man in The Wizard of Oz, Richard in Lion in Winter, and Ralph in A Christmas Story. He met his wife, Valerie, while directing Anything Goes at STG. (She was the choreographer.) He also directed Bus Stop, Harvey, Crimes of the Heart, The Foreigner, Steel Magnolias, On Golden Pond, Smoke on the Mountain, The Nerd,The Cemetery Club and Mama Won’t Fly. Chris wrote and directed The Collins Family Christmas Special as a special benefit event for Southside Theatre Guild. He has also appeared in over 30 film and television productions as a “Background Artist.”

Cheré Slocumb is delighted to be an Executive Committee member at STG. She has spent time helping build the set and volunteering to work house with her fantastic husband, Benjamin Slocumb. She has been in several productions and enjoys working with and meeting all the cast members. Her favorite role was Pipi in Bone Chiller. She was also cast in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever and Those Crazy Ladies in the House on the Corner.  She was last seen in Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol. When she is not on the stage, she enjoys nature, serving others, and spending time with her two terrific sons, BJ and Blake Slocumb but especially her grandchildren, Hendrix and Harper Slocumb.

Lenton Lees was off-and-on with the Southside Sidekicks Improv Troupe between 2020 - 2022, before finally settling down and becoming a full-time member and now the Improv Director for both the adults and youth troupes. Lenton is a professional actor with the Dinner Detectives, an improv coach for Flat Rock Middle School, a business owner (highspiritsentertainment.com), an interactive Murder Mystery playwright, the improv director for the Newnan Theatre Company NITWITS for four years, and the "local celebrity" known as Newnan Time with Harold.

Lenton Lees took over the adult and youth improv teams after Mike Boylan and Amy Beaucham's wonderful tenures. He was set for success and is excited to take the improv at Southside to another level of professionalism and community engagement. The Rascals (youth improv) are open year-round to any middle or high schoolers who want to dip their toe into improv. The Sidekicks (adult improv) offers yearly workshops, auditions, and ten shows a season. He has played Bob Cratchit twelve times and dreams of one day playing Ebenezer Scrooge.

Jonny has been active with Southside Theatre Guild both on and offstage since 1986. He met his wife Heather at the theatre early in his involvement, and they've remained deeply engaged ever since. Married for 32+ years, they continue to support STG through performance, production, and leadership.

Over the years, Jonny has served on STG’s Executive Committee in several roles, including Associate Member-at-Large, Member-at-Large, Parliamentarian, and Vice President of Productions. He’s also a founding member of the Southside Sidekicks improv troupe.

He and Heather have two adult children, Ian (and Kylie) and Erin.

Jonny holds a BFA in Interactive and Media & Web Design from the Art Institute of Atlanta. He currently works as a freelance web designer and actor.

Janet has worked in theater in the metropolitan Atlanta area for over 40 years, but has always considered Southside Theatre Guild to be her theater home.   Her first lead role was as Mina in STG’s 1979 production of Dracula and her most recent appearance was in 2016 as Ida in The Cemetery Club.    She has served on the Executive Committee in several positions and worked as director, stage manager, costumer, set designer and many other required tasks at the theater.  She is a proud mother and grandmother and currently resides in Fayetteville with her loving husband Ted.