JEFF WHITE
HIGH SCHOOL DIRECTOR
Jeff White has been a theatre educator and director for 18 years and has taught at The Grizzlies Academy, Bolton High School and Germantown High School. Favorite directing credits include
Footloose, Little Shop of Horrors, Weird Romance, Lucky Stiff, Mrs. Bob Cratchit’s Wild Christmas Binge, Inherit the Wind, Greater Tuna, Clue: On Stage and Almost, Maine. Mr. White won the 2016 Orpheum High School Musical Theatre Award “Outstanding Direction by a Teacher” for Weird Romance. As a professional stand-up comedian, Mr. White has performed for comedy venues across the region and was named 2008 Funniest Person in Memphis. As an actor, Mr. White has performed in several productions across the city including Germantown Community Theatre’s The Boys Next Door (2011) and Is He Dead? (2009), Bartlett Repertory’s All in the Timing (2012), and Theatre Memphis’s Curtains (2009) and Dracula (2004). Mr. White also spent 4 seasons (2007-2011) as the in-arena emcee for your Memphis Grizzlies. Jeff can be contacted at jwhite@lakelandl12.org.
ALISON GARLAND
ASSISTANT HIGH SCHOOL DIRECTOR
Alison Garland has been an English as a Second Language teacher in the state of Tennessee for 13 years. She joined the faculty Lakeland Preparatory School the year it opened and began LPS Drama Club. She co-directed the following productions: Peter Pan (2018), Willy Wonka Jr. (2019), Shrek Jr. (2021), and Matilda Jr. (2022). Currently, Alison teaches ESL in grades 5-9 at LPS, and is excited to collaborate with Mr. White! You can contact her at agarland@lakelandk12.org.
TAYLOR NEWBY-KAHRE
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MIDDLE SCHOOL DIRECTOR
Taylor is an Oklahoma City, OK native and has traveled the world as a Featured Singer for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. She is a graduate of New York University’s CAP21 Conservatory. Credits include: Assistant Director for the Off-Broadway original musical FICTION IN PHOTOGRAPHS (New World Stages), Assistant Director and Co-Creator for EXTRAORDINARY JOE at Abrons Art Center in NYC, Assistant Director and Choreographer for FOOTLOOSE (Brookhaven Little Theatre). Choreographer for THE ADDAMS FAMILY (GHS) NINE TO FIVE (New Stage Theatre), LES MISERABLE:1964 (BLT), FREAKY FRIDAY (LPS), Assistant to the Director for MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET at New Stage Theatre, Assistant Director/Choreographer/Supporting Actress, in the original southern musical SWEET POTATO QUEENS by Rupert Holmes and Melissa Manchester (New Stage Theatre). Back in 2020 Taylor and creative partner Randy Redd, became Co-Artistic Directors of the Midsouth’s own, JOOK: a development company for theater, tv, and film. This year Taylor started a new theater program at Special Care, Inc. for children and teens of ALL abilities to learn, develop, create, and perform on stage together. Taylor is very excited to be back at Lakeland and for this opportunity to build something new with this wonderful group of young adults! Let’s get to work!
YVONNE WARD
ASSISTANT MIDDLE SCHOOL DIRECTOR
Yvonne Ward has been a School Librarian for 9 years in North Carolina and Tennessee. This is her first year at Lakeland Prepatory. She has been part of a production team member in the following productions: Sherk Jr. (2018), Into the Woods (2019) Beauty and the Beast Jr. (2020), and Footloose Jr. (2023). Currently, Yvonne is the School Librarian for both the middle and high school, and is excited to collaborate with Ms.Newby-Kahre! You can contact her at yward@lakelandk12.org.
