Springer Opera House Staff

Paul R. Pierce, producing artistic director - has led the Springer for more than two decades. During his tenure, audiences have tripled and the Springer has instituted popular programs like Springer Theatricals and the Springer Theatre Academy. In addition to being a veteran stage director, he is also a playwright, actor and musician. Paul is the former associate artistic director of the Repertory Theatre of America, the former artistic director of the Harbor Playhouse in Corpus Christi, Texas, and the former managing director of the Wayside Theatre in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley. He holds a bachelor of fine arts degree in drama and theatre from the University of Georgia. His "Springer Ghost Book" is on sale.

Ron Anderson, associate artistic director - founded and directs the Springer Theatre Academy. Ron has been a professional actor, director and theatre teacher for more than 25 years, working with regional and children's theatres in the Southeast and Midwest. As associate artistic director at the Springer, he has directed Jekyll & Hyde, Phantom, Greetings!, The Sound of Music, Sylvia, The Crucible, My Fair Lady, Alice: Through the Looking Glass and Annie Warbucks. Ron has played leading roles in Of Mice and Men, The Foreigner, Greater Tuna, The Last Night of Ballyhoo, A Christmas Carol and The Duck Variations.

Jamie Fagerstrom, director of operations and finance - returns to the Springer having served as the staff accountant during the renovation of the late 90s. In her time away from the Springer, she served the community in the management of non-profit companies. An Ohio native she comes to Columbus via Florida, but feels home is here in the Chattahoochee Valley area and is proud to be a part of the Springer family.

Scooter MacMillan, director of marketing & sales - develops new business partnerships and works to build audiences and increase the visibility of the Springer Opera House. He writes or edits all of the Springer's publications, press releases and other printed material. He is the person to talk to if you are interested in advertising in the theatre's Playbill. Scooter is constantly searching for new and unique ways of telling the story of the Springer, its productions and the people involved.

Cameron P. Bean, executive director of development - joins the Springer staff after two years as the advancement & marketing coordinator for the Department of Theatre and recruitment coordinator for the College of the Arts at Columbus State University. A CSU alum, Cameron holds a bachelor's in theatre education and master's in business administration. He has performed on the Springer stage in Crimes of the Heart, The Full Monty, Frost/Nixon, Little Shop of Horros and at No Shame Theatre. Cameron also spent three years teaching the Junior Program at the Springer Theatre Academy. He performs regularly with Sherlock's Mystery Dinner Theatre at the Columbus Marriott Hotel. He is a member of Columbus Georgia Young Professionals, and he sits on the board of the Youth Orchestra of Greater Columbus. His door is always open. Give him a call or stop by for a visit anytime. 706-662-1764.

Danielle Patterson, director of audience development - appeared as Gymnasia in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and the Wicked Witch in The Wizard of Oz. Although she found it easy being green, she's all cleaned and nice now and only too happy to help your group get a great deal on tickets (and you won't have to give her the shirt off your back OR your red shoes).

Izzy Brown, box office manager - has appeared at the Springer in Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse, Oliviatown, A Christmas Carol, Winnie The Pooh and Alice In Wonderland and she was stage manager for The Marvelous Wonderettes, The Honky Tonk Angels, The Big Friendly Giant and 2012’s A Tuna Christmas. She won the Ledger-Enquirer Page One Award for drama, the Springer Theatre Academy’s Legacy Award and the Springer’s Golden Hammer Award for all of her backstage work. 

Allie Kent, facility operations manager - has been on the Springer staff for over 10 years. She coordinates all building rentals, concessions and maintenance of this National Historic Landmark. Visit her in the Springer Saloon before each show and during intermission.

Dona Pierce, artistic associate - could have been considered a theatre gypsy before her residency here, having traveled across the United States developing her skills and creating opportunities to increase her range of talents. Properties, scenic art, costuming, and acting have given Dona a wealth of experience to draw from. Her well-structured shop reflects her professionalism.

Hampton Bishop, production engineer - is a veteran of many Springer productions including The Bible: The Complete Word of God (abridged), The Drawer Boy, Winnie the Pooh and Charlotte's Web. At CSU, he designed lights for Zoo Story, Baltimore Waltz and Riches. He served as production stage manager for the Oklahoma Shakespeare Festival.

KT Underwood, production stage manager & tour manager - attended the Springer Theatre Academy for nine years and worked on such productions as James and the Giant Peach, Sideways Stories from Wayside School, Alice in Wonderland, Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse and Oliviatown.  She earned her bachelor's in theatre design and technology from CSU, where she worked on A Streetcar Named Desire and The Cripple of Inishmaan.

William D. Randall Jr., technical director - was exposed to theatre when his grandparents brought him to the Springer. He earned a bachelor’s of fine arts in design and production from Catawba College (North Carolina). Over the past eight years, he has worked at many companies such as The Lost Colony and the Goodspeed Opera House. Then he landed his dream job at the same place where he first experienced the magic of live theatre.

Lindsay Schmeling, costume designer - was a freelance designer in the Chicagoland area and has credits with Shattered Globe, BrightSide Theatre, The Chicago Mammals, The Citadel Theatre, Oak Park Festival, Organic Theatre and Geek Girl Burlesque. She also designed for Lexington Children's Theatre in Kentucky and the Olney Theatre Center in Maryland.  She received her master's from Northern Illinois University, her bachelor's from the College of Charleston and studied theatrical design at the Moscow Art Theatre. 

Jennings Palmer, community outreach director - graduated from Presbyterian College with a double major in political science and sociology. After 10 years of working on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, and a three-week stint in Brescia, Italy, studying culinary arts, she returned home to her Southern roots. She is a member of the board of directors for the National Civil War Naval Museum and a Sustainer with the Junior League of Washington, DC.

Johanna Cabatingan, education coordinator - grew up at the Springer. She has been involved with the Springer Theatre Academy as a student, intern, teaching assistant, and teacher. Most recently, you may have seen her on the Springer stage as Kelsi in High School Musical. Johanna received her bachelor's degree in theatre education from the University of Evansville in Indiana.

Jim Pharr, assistant education coordinator - graduated from CSU with a degree in theatre education. He has been a teaching assistant for the Springer Theatre Academy, hosts No Shame Theatre and has appeared in The Full Monty at the Springer. Jim has appeared in Junie B. Jones and a Little Monkey Business, Cloud Nine, Machinal and Bat Boy: The Musical at CSU and in Rocky Horror Picture Show and Reefer Madness at the Chattahoochee Shakespeare Company.