Meet our Academy Instructors
Director of Youth Academy : Jacob Louis
Jacob Louis is a bicoastal Mexican-American actor, singer, composer, educator, and theatre director with more than 10 years of experience in arts education and over 20 years as a performing artist. A graduate of UCLA with an M.F.A. in Acting for Theatre, Film, and Television, Jacob’s professional credits include Broadway productions of Wicked, Mamma Mia!, and Oklahoma!, as well as film and voice work for projects including Every Hidden Thing, The Inbetween Place, Netflix’s Summertime, and Mortel.
Jacob has directed more than 40 musicals, including In the Heights, The Great Gatsby, Sister Act, and Hairspray, and has served as an educator, arts administrator, and theatre instructor at the K–12 level. Passionate about inspiring the next generation of artists, Jacob combines professional performance experience with a commitment to creating meaningful, inclusive, and empowering theatre experiences for students.
Heather May : Academy Kids Director
Heather May brings more than 46 years of experience in theatre, having explored nearly every aspect of production—from gathering props and sewing costumes to designing sets, running lights, choreographing, and everything in between. While she has enjoyed every role behind the scenes, her greatest passion is directing, having guided productions with casts ranging from 6 to 50 performers.
A longtime member of Southside Theatre Guild, Heather’s recent directing work includes You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown with Newnan Theatre Company. She is passionate about creating collaborative, supportive theatre experiences and helping performers of all ages discover the joy of storytelling on stage.
Kendra Campbell Milburn : Youth Assistant Director / Kids Music Director
Kendra Campbell Milburn is a graduate of the University of Central Oklahoma with a degree in Musical Theatre and brings more than 20 years of experience as a performer, director, choreographer, and educator. Her performance credits include The Pollard Theatre, Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma, UCO Summerstock Theatre, and Jewel Box Theatre, while her directing and choreography credits include The Music Man, Kiss Me, Kate, The Wizard of Oz Jr., and Annie Jr.
After a successful career in marketing and brand strategy, Kendra returned to her passion for teaching and mentoring through the arts. She now teaches music at a local preschool, directs children's theatre productions, serves as a worship leader, leads communications for her church, and is pursuing seminary studies through the ELCA.
Kendra is passionate about helping young performers build confidence, creativity, and teamwork in a supportive environment where every student can grow both on and off the stage.
Erin May: Lead Innovators Instructor
Erin May is 30 years old, and is pursuing a career in emergency medicine, while continuing to nuture her love of community theatre.
Having spent most of her childhood either backstage or on it at Southside Theatre in Fairburn, she has years of experience, not only in community theatre production, but also firsthand knowledge of how those skills, developed early on, can apply to everyday life.
Erin has just returned from central Florida, where she worked as a security coordinator in The Most Magical Place on Earth for 5 years, and is eager to jump right back into her Georgia community. Erin enjoys good stories, space science, stage-craft, and team sports.
Eager to introduce kids to the theatre wold that she loves, and spend time with her mother, Heather May, Erin could not be more excited to team up with the Innovators!
Celeste Boullion: Youth & Kid Academy Choreographer
Celeste Boullion has been passionate about dance and theatre since the age of two. She has extensively trained in ballet and holds professional credits with Oklahoma City Ballet and Texas Ballet Theatre. In addition to ballet, Celeste specializes in jazz, musical theatre, contemporary, and lyrical dance. She has also studied musical theatre with Broadway Artists Alliance and MTI in New York City, and has explored various vocal styles, including training with Tammy Kimbell.
Outside the studio, Celeste enjoys watching Legally Blonde—her all-time favorite movie—and exploring Indian cuisine. Dance and theatre have always been central to her life, and she is excited to share her passion and experience with her students.
Alyssa Ryan: Youth Academy Music Director
Alyssa is a music educator, performer, and theatre artist with a passion for helping students discover confidence and creativity through the arts. She holds a B.M. in Music Education from the University of West Georgia, where she performed with ensembles including Concert Choir, Chamber Singers, and Opera Workshop. She has taught high school chorus and theatre, and brings experience in directing, music directing, and stage managing productions with students and community performers of all ages.
Alyssa currently serves as a Staff Singer at Central Baptist Church in Newnan, where she performs with the Chancel Choir and assists with community youth music programs. She teaches acting, musical theatre, voice, and guitar, and is passionate about creating an encouraging environment where students can grow as performers and individuals.
Tammy Kimbell: Kids Academy Instructor
Tammy Kimbell is excited to return to Academy as an Academy Kids Instructor! She has led musical direction for productions at NTC including 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, The Addams Family, Young Frankenstein, Evil Dead: The Musical, The Sound of Music, 9 to 5: The Musical, and You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown.
Tammy holds a degree in Theology with an emphasis in Elementary Education and a minor in Music. With over 30 years of teaching experience, she combines tried-and-true music methods with fresh, creative ideas to help each performer achieve their best—all while having FUN!
Meranda Barrett: Youth Academy Instructor
Bio Coming Soon!
