Greg Williams Jr.
(Founder/Managing Artistic Director)
gwilliams@newventuretheatre.org
Greg Williams, Jr. is a native of Baton Rouge and the Founding Artistic Director for New Venture Theatre. He is a graduate of Northwestern State University with a BA in Theatre and New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) with a MBA in Marketing. His professional theatre background includes working with Don Holder (Tony Award Winning Lighting Designer for Disney’s The Lion King,) The Negro Ensemble Theatre Company (NYC), The Little Black Box Theatre Company (New Jersey), and American Family Theatre (Philadelphia). He is also a playwright and has written over ten plays including, Colored, Step Off!, Sweet Georgia Brown, and is currently work- ing on his next piece – Talbert Beacon Presents His Latest Greatest Gospel Stage Play. After speaking with one of his mentors, Charles Weldon, at the Negro Ensemble Theatre Company, he returned to Louisiana to cultivate more support for the arts through a refreshing new theatre company that focused on innovation and diversity- hence New Venture Theatre was created. Professionally, Greg has been the Instructor of Theatre Arts for Our Lady of Mercy Catholic School, is a theatre consultant helping to launch diversity-based theatre companies all over the country, and has developed and collaborated with over twenty programs to help bring the arts to underserved areas of our community. In June 2011, the Louisiana Senate recognized Greg for his contributions to the arts in the African American Community.
(Founder/Managing Artistic Director)
gwilliams@newventuretheatre.org
Greg Williams, Jr. is a native of Baton Rouge and the Founding Artistic Director for New Venture Theatre. He is a graduate of Northwestern State University with a BA in Theatre and New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) with a MBA in Marketing. His professional theatre background includes working with Don Holder (Tony Award Winning Lighting Designer for Disney’s The Lion King,) The Negro Ensemble Theatre Company (NYC), The Little Black Box Theatre Company (New Jersey), and American Family Theatre (Philadelphia). He is also a playwright and has written over ten plays including, Colored, Step Off!, Sweet Georgia Brown, and is currently work- ing on his next piece – Talbert Beacon Presents His Latest Greatest Gospel Stage Play. After speaking with one of his mentors, Charles Weldon, at the Negro Ensemble Theatre Company, he returned to Louisiana to cultivate more support for the arts through a refreshing new theatre company that focused on innovation and diversity- hence New Venture Theatre was created. Professionally, Greg has been the Instructor of Theatre Arts for Our Lady of Mercy Catholic School, is a theatre consultant helping to launch diversity-based theatre companies all over the country, and has developed and collaborated with over twenty programs to help bring the arts to underserved areas of our community. In June 2011, the Louisiana Senate recognized Greg for his contributions to the arts in the African American Community.
Alvin A. Temple
(Assistant Director)
info@newventuretheatre.org
Alvin has been an involved in the Baton Rouge arts scene for several years. He is the Assistant Director, Costumer and Board Representative for New Venture Theatre’s Board on which he also currently is a member. He has designed costumes for most of New Venture Theatre productions including Five Guys Named Moe, The Wiz, Smokey Joe’s Cafe and Dreamgirls. He has also designed costumes featured in the opening performance of the 2009 Bayou Classics. As an actor, Alvin has performed in several productions including The Wizard of Oz, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and A Raisin in the Sun. Having a broad artistic scope, he also has worked in dancing and chorography on several projects and as writer and is honored that NVT has chosen his works as featured plays in their past and upcoming seasons.
(Assistant Director)
info@newventuretheatre.org
Alvin has been an involved in the Baton Rouge arts scene for several years. He is the Assistant Director, Costumer and Board Representative for New Venture Theatre’s Board on which he also currently is a member. He has designed costumes for most of New Venture Theatre productions including Five Guys Named Moe, The Wiz, Smokey Joe’s Cafe and Dreamgirls. He has also designed costumes featured in the opening performance of the 2009 Bayou Classics. As an actor, Alvin has performed in several productions including The Wizard of Oz, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and A Raisin in the Sun. Having a broad artistic scope, he also has worked in dancing and chorography on several projects and as writer and is honored that NVT has chosen his works as featured plays in their past and upcoming seasons.
Christopher D. Daniel
(Director of IT and Media Services)
info@newventuretheatre.org
Christopher is a Baton Rouge native and has been working in the IT Industry for about 15 years. He holds several industry standard certifications and BA in Information Systems and Security. In addition to performing various IT duties for New Venture Theatre, he also creates the webisodes for NVTV and makes use of his skills as a recreational photographer for various photo shoots used in marketing NVT.
(Director of IT and Media Services)
info@newventuretheatre.org
Christopher is a Baton Rouge native and has been working in the IT Industry for about 15 years. He holds several industry standard certifications and BA in Information Systems and Security. In addition to performing various IT duties for New Venture Theatre, he also creates the webisodes for NVTV and makes use of his skills as a recreational photographer for various photo shoots used in marketing NVT.
Ashley Self
(Production Manager)
info@newventuretheatre.org
Ashley Self is no stranger to the stage, or New Venture Theatre. As a Baton Rouge native she has been performing in theatre for the past 10 years. From her first production of “Little Shop of Horrors” when NVT was known as “Creative Company”, up until some of NVT’s more recent productions such as NVT’s original production of “Step Off” , and “Dearly Departed”. Taking a small step off the stage, Ashley became stage manager for NVT’s 2009 production of “The Wiz”. While continuing to expand her artistic scope, Ashley has become more and more passionate about NVT, and its unlimited possibilities.
(Production Manager)
info@newventuretheatre.org
Ashley Self is no stranger to the stage, or New Venture Theatre. As a Baton Rouge native she has been performing in theatre for the past 10 years. From her first production of “Little Shop of Horrors” when NVT was known as “Creative Company”, up until some of NVT’s more recent productions such as NVT’s original production of “Step Off” , and “Dearly Departed”. Taking a small step off the stage, Ashley became stage manager for NVT’s 2009 production of “The Wiz”. While continuing to expand her artistic scope, Ashley has become more and more passionate about NVT, and its unlimited possibilities.
Mona Myers
(Finance Manager)
info@newventuretheatre.org
Mona Meyers relocated to the Baton Rouge area from California 13 years ago. She has two sons that are both students at LSU (where she received her bachelor's degree in philosophy.) She is the owner of Number Crunchers, a small bookkeeping company and is involved in several organizations including the Women's Council of Greater Baton Rouge, Business Friends International, and the Freethinkers Organization. She also sits on the board of LAVOW Women's Theatre and American's United. "Although one may fail to find happiness in theatrical life, one never wishes to give it up after having once tasted its fruits."...Anna Pavlova.
(Finance Manager)
info@newventuretheatre.org
Mona Meyers relocated to the Baton Rouge area from California 13 years ago. She has two sons that are both students at LSU (where she received her bachelor's degree in philosophy.) She is the owner of Number Crunchers, a small bookkeeping company and is involved in several organizations including the Women's Council of Greater Baton Rouge, Business Friends International, and the Freethinkers Organization. She also sits on the board of LAVOW Women's Theatre and American's United. "Although one may fail to find happiness in theatrical life, one never wishes to give it up after having once tasted its fruits."...Anna Pavlova.
Michael Russ
(Director of Patron Relations)
info@newventuretheatre.org
Michael joined our New Venture Theatre family during our first season and has been a dedicated fan, volunteer and staff member since he began. He has always had a love for theatre, and has been such a tremendous asset to the company. He has worked in just about every area possible with us, having performed in several productions--on and off the scene. When he's not on stage wowing our patrons with his many talents, he is always making himself available to our patrons. So much, that, in 2011, Michael became the Director of Patron Relations. He is responsible for keeping us abreast on what's going on with New Venture Theatre--the public's inside scoop to everything NVT.
Michael is a 2009 graduate of Southern University and holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree. He has put his degree to use with NVT by providing outstanding scenic designs for a few of our productions. Recently, he coordinated NVT's first annual NewV Awards ceremony. Michael is always ready and willing to help New Venture Theatre wherever he can and is proud of the work he does for us and the work New Venture Theatre does for its patrons.
(Director of Patron Relations)
info@newventuretheatre.org
Michael joined our New Venture Theatre family during our first season and has been a dedicated fan, volunteer and staff member since he began. He has always had a love for theatre, and has been such a tremendous asset to the company. He has worked in just about every area possible with us, having performed in several productions--on and off the scene. When he's not on stage wowing our patrons with his many talents, he is always making himself available to our patrons. So much, that, in 2011, Michael became the Director of Patron Relations. He is responsible for keeping us abreast on what's going on with New Venture Theatre--the public's inside scoop to everything NVT.
Michael is a 2009 graduate of Southern University and holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree. He has put his degree to use with NVT by providing outstanding scenic designs for a few of our productions. Recently, he coordinated NVT's first annual NewV Awards ceremony. Michael is always ready and willing to help New Venture Theatre wherever he can and is proud of the work he does for us and the work New Venture Theatre does for its patrons.
Board of Directors
Diane Gray
Ramona Marchand
LaMoyne Williams
Alvin Temple
Gregory Williams, Sr.
Melanie Williams