ABOUT US
ABOUT US
SELMORE HAINES, III
FOUNDER & ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Selmore Haines, III developed his passion for Christian Theater at the young age of six when he began acting in church plays in his hometown of West Palm Beach, Florida. When his family relocated to Dallas, Texas, he was blessed to perform with the Dallas Junior Players Guild and in musical theater at Greenhill Preparatory School, where he graduated from in 1976. Mr. Haines matriculated at Austin College and earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theater.
Throughout his adult life, Selmore’s work as a professional actor/director has been seen at many theaters in the DFW Metroplex, including, Jubilee Theatre, Sojourner Truth Players, The Haymarket Theater, Theatre 3, Uptown Players, Bishop Arts Theater Center, Rover Dramawerks, African American Repertory Theater, Firehouse Theater, Pegasus Theater, Shakespeare Dallas, Trinity Shakespeare, Lyric Stage, The Black Academy of Arts and Letters and NIA Kids Center for the Performing Arts. As an actor, Mr. Haines earned the DFW Theater Critics Award for Best Actor in a Play for his performance in the one man show, Thurgood. As a director, he earned the Irma P. Hall Black Theater Award for Best Director of a Musical. His most fulfilling and rewarding theatrical endeavor was the 17 years he served as founder and director of The St. John Christian Theater Ministry. During his tenure, Mr. Haines wrote and directed over 40 Christian Theater productions. His scriptural mantra is taken from Philippians 1:6, “He who began a good work in us, is faithful to complete it.”
SELMORE HAINES, III
FOUNDER & ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Throughout his adult life, Selmore Haines, III’s work as a professional actor/director has been seen at many theaters in the DFW Metroplex, including, Jubilee Theatre, Sojourner Truth Players, The Haymarket Theater, Theatre 3, Uptown Players, Bishop Arts Theater Center, Rover Dramawerks, African American Repertory Theater, Firehouse Theater, Pegasus Theater, Shakespeare Dallas, Trinity Shakespeare, Lyric Stage, The Black Academy of Arts and Letters and NIA Kids Center for the Performing Arts. As an actor, Mr. Haines earned the DFW Theater Critics Award for Best Actor in a Play for his performance in the one man show, Thurgood. As a director, he earned the Irma P. Hall Black Theater Award for Best Director of a Musical. His most fulfilling and rewarding theatrical endeavor was the 17 years he served as founder and director of The St. John Christian Theater Ministry. During his tenure, Mr. Haines wrote and directed over 40 Christian Theater productions.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
FREDERICK WHITAKER
BOARD CHAIR
Frederick Whitaker was the music director and sound technician for the St. John Christian Theater Ministry for more than 10 years. He is the founder and director of the gospel music group “Devotion” and has composed several original songs for the group. He formerly served as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees for St. John Missionary Baptist Church.
FREDERICK WHITAKER
BOARD CHAIR
Frederick Whitaker was the music director and sound technician for the St. John Christian Theater Ministry for more than 10 years. He is the founder and director of the gospel music group “Devotion” and has composed several original songs for the group. He formerly served as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees for St. John Missionary Baptist Church.
GERI RICHARDSON-WILLIAMS
BOARD VICE CHAIR
Dr. Geri Richardson-Williams is an avid supporter of the arts. She has served most recently on the Arts Board for Upper Canada College in Toronto, Ontario.
GERI RICHARDSON-WILLIAMS
BOARD VICE CHAIR
Dr. Geri Richardson-Williams is an avid supporter of the arts. She has served most recently on the Arts Board for Upper Canada College in Toronto, Ontario.
BEVERLY DAVIS
BOARD MEMBER
Beverly has served in leadership roles in city government for over 30 years. She was appointed as the first Director of the Office of Equity and Human Rights providing training to all City of Dallas executives on the importance of equity and diversity. She also served as the Director of the Office of Fair Housing and Human Rights where she focused on ensuring housing rights and access to opportunity. Beverly is a Dallas native and has dedicated herself to serving the community. She has a passion for working with youth and for preserving African-American history and culture in Dallas.
BEVERLY DAVIS
BOARD MEMBER
Beverly has served in leadership roles in city government for over 30 years. She was appointed as the first Director of the Office of Equity and Human Rights providing training to all City of Dallas executives on the importance of equity and diversity. She also served as the Director of the Office of Fair Housing and Human Rights where she focused on ensuring housing rights and access to opportunity. Beverly is a Dallas native and has dedicated herself to serving the community. She has a passion for working with youth and for preserving African-American history and culture in Dallas.
TANGILA JORDAN
BOARD MEMBER
Tangila Jordan is a native of New Jersey. She is a former educator who has taught in the public and private school systems for over 15 years. She is currently a Senior Account Manager for an Ed Tech company. Tangila has a heart and passion for singing, reading and spending quality time with her family.
TANGILA JORDAN
BOARD MEMBER
Tangila Jordan is a native of New Jersey. She is a former educator who has taught in the public and private school systems for over 15 years. She is currently a Senior Account Manager for an Ed Tech company. Tangila has a heart and passion for singing, reading and spending quality time with her family.
DAVID KEMP
BOARD MEMBER
David Kemp is a writer, director, and actor, but most importantly a Child of God! David has 25+ years experience in theater and film productions. He is a member of Hamilton Park UMC and currently serving as the Director of Drama Ministry. He is from Mineral Wells, Texas and currently resides in Denton County. He is excited to be a part of TJNCT team!
DAVID KEMP
BOARD MEMBER
David Kemp is a writer, director, and actor, but most importantly a Child of God! David has 25+ years experience in theater and film productions. He is a member of Hamilton Park UMC and currently serving as the Director of Drama Ministry. He is from Mineral Wells, Texas and currently resides in Denton County. He is excited to be a part of TJNCT team!
MICHAEL MANES
BOARD MEMBER
Michael Manes is a retired choir director/organist at Grace United Methodist Church. He headed the fine arts department of Greenhill Preparatory School in Dallas, where he oversaw art, music, drama, speech, debate, and a private music and dance studio. In addition to serving as a choral director and organist for a variety of churches in Dallas and Fort Worth, Michael served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam where he was a choral director for prison and chapel choirs. He holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Oklahoma Baptist University (magna cum laude) and a Master of Church Music degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas.
MICHAEL MANES
BOARD MEMBER
Michael Manes is a retired choir director/organist at Grace United Methodist Church. He headed the fine arts department of Greenhill Preparatory School in Dallas, where he oversaw art, music, drama, speech, debate, and a private music and dance studio. In addition to serving as a choral director and organist for a variety of churches in Dallas and Fort Worth, Michael served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam where he was a choral director for prison and chapel choirs. He holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Oklahoma Baptist University (magna cum laude) and a Master of Church Music degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas.
PENNY WHITE
BOARD MEMBER
Penny White is a Regional Health Information Management (HIM) Director with Hospital Corporation of America (HCA). Penny works closely with hospital administrative teams including CEOs, CFOs, COOs, and other hospital leaders to develop and manage strategy, policy, goal setting, budgets, performance standards and ensure compliance with corporate and state regulatory requirements. Penny is a member of Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. and participates on the Social Action Committee. She volunteers with the Reader 2 Leaders program, which allows her to share her passion for reading with 1st–3rd grade children. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, watching and participating in sporting events, attending musicals and plays, reading books, and going to the movies.
PENNY WHITE
BOARD MEMBER
Penny White is a Regional Health Information Management (HIM) Director with Hospital Corporation of America (HCA). Penny works closely with hospital administrative teams including CEOs, CFOs, COOs, and other hospital leaders to develop and manage strategy, policy, goal setting, budgets, performance standards and ensure compliance with corporate and state regulatory requirements. Penny is a member of Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. and participates on the Social Action Committee. She volunteers with the Reader 2 Leaders program, which allows her to share her passion for reading with 1st–3rd grade children. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, watching and participating in sporting events, attending musicals and plays, reading books, and going to the movies.
STAFF
SHANDL HODGE
FINANCE MANAGER
Shandl Hodge is the Finance Manager for TJNCT. She earned a BBA Degree in Finance from Amberton University. She has been employed with AT&T for 20 years as a Senior Financial Analyst.
SHANDL HODGE
FINANCE MANAGER
Shandl Hodge is the Finance Manager for TJNCT. She earned a BBA Degree in Finance from Amberton University. She has been employed with AT&T for 20 years as a Senior Financial Analyst.