John Carpenter
President
John Carpenter currently serves at Lakewood theaters technical director. He has been on the board since 2006 and formerly served as board bresidrn from 2009 to 2015. In addition to serving as technical director, John has also directed a number of productions over the years and has appeared on stage numerous times. John is also a frequent lighting and sound designer/collaborator. He is thankful to be a part of a group of talented and dedicated people on the board.
Holly Smith
Facilities Coordinator
Vice President
Holly Smith brings a wealth of knowledge to Lakewood Theatre Company. She started in community theatre helping back stage as stage technician, costumer and stage manager. It took a friend and fellow actor to encourage her to branch out and try acting. She has recently expanded her knowledge as a light and sound technician and as a director in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”. She has performed on several stages in the Nashville area. You may have seen her in “Marvin’s Room”, “Return of the Guacamole Queens”, and “Bad Seed” to name a few. Not only is Holly a “character” on stage, she is pretty handy and currently holds the position of Facilities Manager on the board of directors at Lakewood Theatre Company. Her goals include maintaining the integrity of the building, the safety of the actors and patrons, and facilitating ideas to increase future profitability for Lakewood for generations to come. Holly is married to Bobby Smith and is fur mom to Bella and Riley.
Melinda Knott
Secretary
Parliamentarian
Mrs. Knott comes to Lakewood Theater Company after a 34 year career as an educator. As a teacher, she used her talents portraying characters in history and literature. After retiring, she returned to her first love, theater. She began auditioning and volunteering in 2015. She has appeared on the Lakewood stage in “A Christmas Carol,” “The Last Roundup of the Guacamole Queens,” and “Boomtown.” Mrs. Knott’s favorite show as a performer at Lakewood was Enis in “Guacamole Queens.” As a new board member, she hopes to increase community awareness of the true treasure that is Lakewood Theater. Mrs. Knott lives in Hermitage with her husband, John. She has two adult children. Her daughter, Rachel, is an executive with a local company and lives in Nashville. Her son, John, is an officer in the United States Navy, stationed in Norfolk, Va. She also has a 15 year- old grandson, Johnny.
Susan Thomas
Secretary
Marketing Director
Susan has a long history of volunteer service in many different skill sets and community venues worldwide. Though not a performer herself, Susan has long supported the dramatic arts and regrets the demise of so many creative programs in schools. She has served at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and many other venues in the Washington DC area and, since moving to Old Hickory, is volunteering in several interesting public spaces in the Nashville area. Now she brings her leadership and management experience to our community theatre in the Lakewood and Old Hickory area. Her vision for our little gem of a theatre is to nurture and grow the theatre group that residents began in the late 1960s when they offered outside performances near what is now the marina in Old Hickory. Susan volunteers with the theatre to engage a wide local audience and encourage our community, young and old alike, to become more involved and support this great community resource, so that live theatre can be available for all ages, abilities and income levels. This includes participation in our kids camps, workshops, and our great team of volunteers behind the scenes that makes the magic happen on stage! If you are interested in volunteering, please reach out to her through the theatre email address.
Jenny Young
Fiscal Manager
Teresa Barlow
Front of House/Volunteers Coordinator
Wilson Reed
Senior Advisor
Andrea Coleman
Dialect Technician
Todd Knecht
Concession Stand Volunteer Coordinator
Steven Bachuss
Something For Everyone
in Our 2019 Season:
