Founding Artistic Director

Peter Hardy

Peter Hardy is the founding Artistic Director of the Essential Theatre. He’s been working professionally in the Atlanta area for over 30 years as an actor, playwright and director. He’s a Suzi Bass Award-winning director who has directed over 100 productions in Georgia, North Carolina and New York, and he served as Artistic Director for the Mountainside Theatre in Cherokee, North Carolina for the summers from 1990 through 2005.  He’s had over thirty productions of his plays done around the country and has received playwriting awards from the Festival of Southern Theatre and the New Southern Theatre Festival, and had plays chosen to be a part of the National Playwrights Conference and the Lanford Wilson New American Play Festival.

Managing Director

Jennifer Kimball

Jennifer Kimball has been with Essential since 2003. A production and stage manager and general organizer-at-large in the Atlanta area, Jennifer also actively collaborates with Synchronicity Theatre, 7 Stages Theatre, and Théâtre du Rêve among others. She worked in Student Engagement at Georgia Tech from 2013-2016 and is currently on staff at the Schwartz Center for the Arts at Emory University. Inspired by new creative work and meaningful connection, she enjoys nurturing both through her work with Essential.

Education Associate

Emily McClain

Emily McClain is a theatre educator and playwright. This summer she was fortunate enough to co-teach both Introduction to Playwriting and 10 Minute Play Bootcamp again with Amina McIntyre. She is a proud member of the Dramatist Guild and WriteStuffATL. Emily is one of the theatre faculty at School of the Arts @ Central Gwinnett and holds an M.Ed in Arts Integration in the Curriculum from Lesley University. She was the 2025 Innovative Playwriting Instruction Award winner through SETC. Her plays have been performed all around the country and internationally and she is so proud to be a member of the artistic community at Essential Theatre!

Education Associate

Elisabeth Cooper

Elisabeth Cooper is a veteran in the Atlanta Theatre community. She has worked as a director, designer, and technician with many companies, such as Actors Express, Synchronicity, Georgia Ensemble Theatre, 7 Stages, Aris, Dad’s Garage, and Horizon Theatre to name a few. Elisabeth is an Education Associate with Essential. When she is not behind the scenes she can be found standing in front of students all over the place.

Education Associate

Amina S. McIntyre

Amina S. McIntyre is a Suzi Bass and Taurean Award Winning playwright, director and producer who has also worked with: Actor’s Express, Horizon Theatre, Marietta New Theatre in the Square, Oakland Cemetery, Out of Hand Theatre, and Vanguard Repertory Theatre. She is a Ph.D Candidate at Vanderbilt University and Co-Founder of the Hush Harbor Lab.

President

Jane Zoellick

Joined 2022
Retired from Georgia Conservancy

“I am excited about Essential Theatre’s mission to nurture and produce new works by Georgia playwrights. Nothing compares to seeing a work come to life before a live audience. Building community, offering educational and engagement opportunities, and growing toward Essential’s vision of this work in the larger scope of a thriving, dynamic American theatre community is thrilling.”

Treasurer

Ryan Daniels

Joined 2023
Vice President, Ameris Bank

“The importance of Essential Theatre lies in providing a platform for local playwrights the opportunity to add to the cultural tapestry.”

Secretary

Cynthia Webb

Joined 2022
Business Correspondence Analyst for SunLife Healthcare Management

“I am so excited about being a part of the Essential Theatre because of the dedication to local writers and their beneficial effects on the local communities in Georgia.”

Assistant Secretary

Oliver tum Suden

Joined 2024
Complex Litigation Attorney, Johnson Fistel LLP

“Theater performances serve as a powerful platform to engage in meaningful discussions on important social topics and I am excited about the opportunity to amply the voice of Georgia playwrights with Essential Theatre and fostering dialogues that reflect the diverse perspectives within our community.”

Social Chair

Audrey Galex

Joined 2018
Former Board President
Retired Community Engagement Manager, AIB Network

“Being on the board of Essential allows me to help Georgia’s theatre creatives reach an audience, and audiences experience new and emerging forms of theater.”

C. E. Patten II

Joined 2020
Former Board President
Managing Director, Excelr8 Advisory Services LLC

“I have a personal passion for theater, as evidenced by my humanities concentration at MIT in Music, Theater, and Performing Arts; my major was Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. Essential Theater allows for my diverse palette and personality to flourish. I’m excited to join the Essential Theatre Board and support local playwrights as a counterbalance to new ventures in my life.”

Dr. Kelli Spencer

Joined 2023
Chief Curator of Experiences and Memories, Inkwell Properties, LLC & The Rolling Peach, LLC

“Essential Theatre is important to me because I am an educator at heart. I believe that the mission of Essential Theatre to premiere, encourage, highlight and grow new playwrights in the state of Georgia is important for the growth of theater in our local communities. With Essential Theatre being based in my local neighborhood, it makes it even more important for me to support and be involved.”

Vanessa Mazabane

Joined 2023
CEO, Founder of Syrupe Media

“Theatre is not just a form of entertainment, it is a powerful tool for social change and cultural understanding that transcends borders and unites us all as human beings. Servin on Essential’s Board provides me with the opportunity to create opportunities, be in the forefront of change in various communities, and work with likeminded individuals who are similarly dedicated to and passionate about promoting the arts.”

Michael Stoots

Joined 2023
CFO, Dixie Diamond Manufacturing

“I can’t imagine anything more wondrous and beautiful than art. Art reflects our internal struggles our attempt to capture beauty and tragedy. I have been fortunate enough to sit on several boards focusing on STEM and art education, and I am very honored and excited to be part of this talented board.”

Accountant

Keri Atkins

Keri Atkins has 20+ years of experience in the accounting field, working with for profit and non-profit companies. She has also worked as the Office Manager/Accountant for Georgia Shakespeare and a staff accountant for Comcast. She received her BBA and MBA in accounting. In addition to her work with Théâtre du Rêve, Keri currently works as the bookkeeper for Essential Theatre and The Children’s Museum of Atlanta.

Social Media Coordinator

Tosin “Tosinger” Taiwo

Tosin Taiwo is a freelance marketing professional with over 10 years of experience in the arts and entertainment industry. She specializes in branding, copywriting, social media management, and content creation. A graduate of SCAD’s M.A. in Arts Administration, she supports arts organizations by bringing creative projects to life through strategic promotion. Also an active singer, actress, and event curator, Tosinger remains a vibrant presence in Atlanta’s theatre, music, TV, and film scenes.

Box Office Manager

Carter Bevis

Carter Bevis has been either running a box office or ushering at theaters throughout Atlanta for more than 25 years, so at some point in time there is a good chance she’s either sold you a ticket or given you a program. But she always looks forward to her annual home with Essential.

Graphic Designer

Thom Stanley

Thom Stanley is an art director, graphic designer, puppeteer and lover of theater. He has created graphics for clients such as Amazon, Google, Adobe and Warner Brothers. His puppetry credits include Muppets from Space for The Jim Henson Company and a series pilot, Freestyle Love Supreme starring Lin Manuel Miranda.