Cara Jollie (she/her) – Artistic Director, Director, Stage & Production Management – Cara grew up with theater and has been personally involved in the theatrical community for 20 years. For her first show, she was an understudy for Rizzo and part of the tech crew in Grease. As a young adult, she also appeared onstage in Black Comedy and Competition Piece; both of which won awards in One Act Competitions. After a hiatus in her early 20’s, she returned to theater and quickly gained experience in a multitude of behind the scenes positions. Since then, she has had several years of hands on experience filling the positions of stage manager, props master, set designer, set builder, sound technician, light technician, and production manager for shows with several companies to include: The Dallas Theater in Paulding County, The Marietta Players, Young Actors Playhouse, and Act 3 Productions. Lately, she has worked predominately in children’s theater and loves educating the next generation in this time-honored form of expression and artistry.
Contact Cara
Jenn Loudermilk (she/her) – Artistic Director, Resident Music Director & Choreographer – Jenn is a North Carolina native and a Marietta resident that began studying voice and performing over 30 years ago. She teaches voice privately as well as music directs at various theatres in the metro Atlanta area. She studied education at East Carolina University and graduated with a degree in Modern Languages and Cultures at Kennesaw State University and is currently a Spanish Teacher at Sequoyah High School. She has overseen summer drama camps for ages 5-16 and has worked with Cobb Children’s Theatre, Act 3 Productions, Pope High School Drama, CYT Atlanta and Elm Street Cultural Arts Center to name a few. In addition to music direction and choreography, she has recently taken on set design and painting as a hobby. As her area of expertise is in education, she uses her experience in theatre to help young actors grow and gain confidence with their performance and singing. Contact Jenn
Jessie Curtis (she/they) – Managing Director – Jessie is originally from Detroit, MI where her love of all things theatre took off while attending and participating in plays and musicals. Stage managing and assistant directing Tartuffe during her college years was her final theatrical contribution – Until now. In addition to her love of the performing arts, she has quite a fondness for her three wonderful kids who seem to have all inherited the acting bug. Jessie loves working with the ever clever Cara and oh-so talented Jenn. Contact Jessie
Dawn Parker – Resident Choreographer – Dawn completed her Bachelor of Science in Dance Education at the University of Georgia in 1993, where she performed with CORE Concert Dance Company, and Non-Stop Dance Company. She is also a graduate of Brenau University with a Master’s Degree in Theatre. She currently works as a Drama Teacher at Kennesaw Mountain High School. Dawn’s areas of expertise include Ballet, Modern dance, Gymnastics, and movement classes for children with special needs. Her unique award winning choreography is innovative and artistic.
Daniel Morgan (he/him) – Director, Stage & Production Management, Set Construction Daniel has been with From the Top Theatrics from the beginning. He brings incredible talent not only onstage but behind the scenes as well. He has performed in numerous productions in his high school years as well as community productions. Daniel shifted from acting to directing and has enjoyed every minute of it. Working with From the Top has been an amazing experience and he looks forward to continuing to let his love for the arts make a positive impact on the community. Contact Daniel
Naoki Breger (he/him) – Director/Production Management– Naoki is originally from Tokyo, Japan, but has lived in Georgia since he was a small child. He joined FT3 back in 2019 in his first role as a champagne bottle for Beauty and the Beast. From there on he joined the staff of FT3, continuing to help in other roles such as stage management, tech crew, assistant directing, and as of summer 2021 he took on his first directing role in Aladdin Jr. Naoki has shown a pursuit of teaching and bringing theatre shows to life for his community, whether it’s dressing in drag as Stephanie from the show Leading Ladies, or to the bubbly champagne bottle serving the Beast and Belle; Naoki is excited for the future of From The Top Theatrics and what shows he’ll take on next!
Lexie Smith – Director/Character Development Lexie is originally from Mississippi and grew up on the stage. She’s been passionate about acting since elementary school, and always looked forward to her time in the theater. Lexie graduated from Mississippi College with a degree in accounting, but throughout college, she made time every semester for a production (or two, or three!). Her favorite role was Queen Gertrude in Shakespeare’s Hamlet! She also started directing, and absolutely fell in love with the idea of working at a children’s theater. After college, Lexie moved on to work in Orlando, FL at Walt Disney World, where she stayed for two years before moving to Atlanta to fully pursue her career in the film industry. Since moving to Atlanta, Lexie has been involved in several film projects across the metro Atlanta area. She is so excited to have the opportunity to work with From the Top Theatrics!
Colby Blick (she/they)- Music Director/Stage Manager– Colby is studying at Kennesaw State University studying Music Education. Theatre has been a big part of her life since she was 8 years old. Colby started with From the Top Theatrics as a performer in their first production of Aladdin Jr. Since then, she has returned to help train and teach other young performers. Having been a part of this company from the beginning, Colby has enjoyed becoming a production team member. In addition to working with From the Top, she has also worked with CYT Atlanta and Marietta High School. She is currently one of the music directors and plans to teach music and continue music directing after graduation.
Cobin Bugni (he/him) – Stage Manager / Stunt Coordinator/Production Management – Cobin has been with From the Top for three years. He started off as student stunt coordinator and actor but has since gained experience being stage manager, a tumbling coach, and the official stunt coordinator at From the Top. He has been in theatre for six years in shows such as The Little Mermaid Jr., Grease and School of Rock. He has enjoyed every minute of it and can’t wait to continue teaching and learning.