OUR STAFF
RON WATSON
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(512) 869-SHOW (7469)
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Ron Watson, became the Executive Artistic Director of the Georgetown Palace Theatre in April of 2019, after serving as the Technical Director since 2013, and has been directing for the Palace since 1999. He performed in first show with the Palace in 1998. Ron is an award winning director with more than 50 productions to his name. Past Directing credits include The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Peter Pan, A Few Good Men, Singin’ in the Rain, Man of La Mancha, Beauty and the Beast, A Tuna Christmas, and Noises Off. He also served as Production Stage Manager for the State Theater Company and the Austin Shakespeare Festival for several seasons. Ron holds a BFA in Directing from Texas State University.
EXECUTIVE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
DEBRA HEATER
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(512) 869-7469
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Debra joined the Palace in May 2023 as the Development Director. She has a Bachelor of Arts in English from Texas State University. Originally from Houston, Debra made her way to Austin in 1995. She has more than 20 years of experience in the non-profit sector in communications, program management, and development. Her love for theatre started in Houston on an elementary school field trip to the Alley Theatre. She’s been hooked ever since. Debra wrote a short-fringe play for Hyde Park Theatre's FronteraFest and was a costumer for MAD Productions in Round Rock before COVID shuttered the company. She is excited for the future of the Palace and looks forward to celebrating the 100-year anniversary in 2026.
DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
Mel Edwards
ASSISTANT TECHNICAL DIRECTOR AND EDU RESIDENT DESIGNER
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(512) 869-SHOW (7469)
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STEPHANIE SMITH
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stephanie@georgetownpalace.org
(512) 869-SHOW (7469)
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Stephanie brings over 20 years of experience as a director and theatre educator, most recently serving as the Education Manager at Zach North. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Acting & Directing from Southwestern University and a Master of Arts in Drama Therapy from New York University.
EDUCATION DIRECTOR
LINDSEY BRISBINE
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(512) 869-SHOW (7469)
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With over ten years of experience in the heart of the theatre entertainment industry, Lindsey is a multimedia marketing specialist and creative strategist. After earning her BFA from Kent State University, she co-founded Little Fang Photo, where she spent years photographing Broadway’s biggest nights, from red-carpet premieres to the annual Tony Awards afterparty.
Currently serving as the Marketing Director for the Georgetown Palace Theatre, Lindsey combines her technical expertise in design and photography with a sophisticated approach to brand growth. She is dedicated to bringing a world-class artistic vision to the Georgetown Palace Theatre, ensuring excellence across every facet of the organization.
MARKETING DIRECTOR
MORGAN TAYLOR MYERS
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(512) 869-SHOW (7469)
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Morgan “Taylor” Myers has spent over a decade working in the arts. Taylor has showcased his talent as a musician, writer, actor, and stagehand since the age of 12. Focusing solely on backstage work and technical arts, he received a BFA in theatre from Texas State University. Taylor started his professional career with large arena and concert work at the University of Texas Frank Erwin Center focusing on lighting design. While still actively pursuing theatrical projects he worked for StageSpot.com. StageSpot provided him with opportunities to explore technical work beyond stage lighting, and he become a more well rounded stagehand. The last five years of his career he spent working with the Texas A&M Corpus Christi Performing Arts Center. He managed every aspect of every event they hosted while developing a community of artists. Taylor joined the Georgetown Palace Theatre in February 2024 as the Technical Director and is excited to work on fostering the theatre community in Central Texas.
DIRECTOR OF PRODUCTION
Faith CastanedA
PRODUCTION MANAGER
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(512) 869-SHOW (7469)
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Faith Castaneda is a graduate of Tarleton State University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre. She started contracting with the Georgetown Palace Theatre as a Stage Manager in 2007 and it has been her home ever since. In 2016, she was offered the position of Costume and Prop Shop Supervisor and now serves as the Production Manager. In addition to the full-time position, Faith also serves as the Resident Lighting Designer which went into effect in 2017; winning Broadway World awards for the Palace in 2016 and 2017. She is also still an active Stage Manager, managing at least 1 musical a season. She has a husband who frequently works behind the scenes as a batten operator or flight captain. She also has 2 little rambunctious boys! The Palace is her second home.
WAYNE FOWKS
COSTUME SHOP COORDINATOR
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(512) 869-7469
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Wayne Fowks is a costume designer with a flair for storytelling and a signature handlebar mustache. Originally from Orlando, Florida, he studied Theatre and Studio Art at Rollins College before beginning his career building costumes for theme parks and cruise lines. That early work inspired him to establish a successful independent costume shop, serving a wide range of clients, including Pfizer, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Porsche, and Malibu Rum. After relocating to Los Angeles, Wayne expanded into the entertainment industry, designing costumes for musicians, dancers, and performers with his signature theatrical touch. For the past decade, he has been based in Austin, Texas, contributing his talents to Zach Theatre, Zilker Theatre, and the University of Texas at Austin, where he served as both a draper and costume designer. Outside of his professional achievements, Wayne has had some unforgettable experiences—like his brief cameo in a Britney Spears music video (blink and you might miss him).
CAT GODBOLD
OUTREACH AND DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR
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(512) 869-SHOW (7469)
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Cat Godbold received her degree in Interior Design and Theatre from Stephen F. Austin State University. Her interior design work has been published in Veranda, Architectural Digest, and other local publications. However, her true love has always been the theatre. Her love of all things theatre has included everything from set design, set construction, properties design, and marketing. She finds joy in sharing her excitement for the theatre to others in the community and is happy to be a part of the historic Georgetown Palace Theatre.
DEBORAH HANNA
ASST BOX OFFICE MANAGER
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(512) 869-SHOW (7469)
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Deborah is the Assistant Box Office Manager. She also works on many of our shows as a Stage Manager, Assistant Stage Manager, Props Designer, and occasional teacher or director for Palace Education.
ELLEN HOULDEN
ASST TECHNICIAL DIRECTOR
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(512) 869-SHOW (7469)
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Ellen earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre from Tarelton State University. Previously, she worked in Vermont at Northern Stage as their Properties Manager and Props Production for Music Theatre Wichita. She also utilizes her skills at the Palace as a Props Designer.
COURTNEY SATTERFIELD
EDUCATION COORDINATOR
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(512) 869-7469
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Courtney earned a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre, as well as her K-12 teaching certification, from Stephen F. Austin State University in December of 2018. Courtney started working with the Palace way back in 2015 as a crew person for Chicago, and has worked dozens of productions since then. She worked as an Assistant Stage Manager for multiple productions on the Springer and Playhouse stages, though her true passion lies with the Education Department at the Doug Smith Performance Center, where she is the Education Coordinator. She is the Stage Manager for the Theatre for Young Audiences field trip program and for the senior group of the Palace Performance Company. She also serves as a Stage Manager for the Education Department's Summer Camp program every year. Courtney has also designed props, painted sets, operated the fly rail, co-directed shows, and operated the lightboard for multiple productions during her time at the Palace.
JESEE SMART
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(512) 869-SHOW (7469)
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Jesee Smart is originally from Chicago, IL. Jesee can be seen onstage and off around the Palace. She is the Education Manager, performs in and choreographs several shows each season at the Palace, teaches for the Palace Education Program, choreographs for the current Education Productions, and is currently the manager of the Palace Performance Company. Jesee is recently Certified as a Progressing Ballet Technique instructor. Jesee holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance and Theatre Performance and Education, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Business Management Human Resources; both from Northern Illinois University.
EDUCATION MANAGER
NICK WIGG
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(512) 869-SHOW (7469)
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Nick is a multidisciplinary theatre artist with over two years of experience at the Georgetown Palace Theatre, where he began by directing Red Velvet Cake Wars. His work spans directing, acting, scenic construction, and props. Nick works as the Assistant Technical Director at the Palace.
ASST TECHNICIAL DIRECTOR
RESIDENT ARTISTS
DAMON BROWN
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(512) 869-SHOW (7469)
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Damon Brown has been working in the field of entertainment for young audiences for decades. He's a co-creator, writer, producer, director, and performer on the multiple Emmy award-winning PBS musical television series "The Biscuit Brothers." He's also a member of TYA/USA and has co-written a number of award -winning musicals for family audiences. "Haunted: A Ghost Story," "ROBIN," and "Shoe Story," among many others written with composer Allen Robertson, were produced at the Long Center in association with their Summer Stock program for young, pre-professional performers. "Tortoise & Hare" enjoyed an extended run at Zach. At the Palace, Damon directed another of his musicals for young audiences, "Wish," as part of the professional TYA season. Damon has also acted onstage at the Palace in productions of "Man of La Mancha," "My Fair Lady," "The Addams Family," and appeared with his son in "A Christmas Story." Damon's entire family is involved in volunteer work at the Palace; his parents live less than 10 minutes from the Springer stage! In addition to his TV and stage career, he has premiered documentary films at the American Film Institute Festival to hold-over audiences and produced documentaries and artist profiles including features on poet Robert Creeley, the launch of musical group The Polyphonic Spree, and author Daniel Quinn. Damon's career in theatre, film and television also includes work with regional non-profits and national organizations like the MDA, JDRF, and the Children's Miracle Network. Damon and his wife Jill are also co-founders of "The Daydream Initiative" which is a project dedicated to exploring the human condition through the stories we tell each other and ourselves.
RESIDENT ARTIST
TRINA SHERMAN
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(512) 869-7469
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Trina Sherman began performing in and around the Austin area at the age of 7. She attended Blinn College on a French Horn scholarship and accepted a job at Dell Computer after being recruited while waiting tables in 1988. A active autism volunteer, advocate and parent she was the idea behind Inclusion Theatre and was inspired by her son with autism. Trina has been with the Palace since 2008 and serving as the Adaptive Theatre Coordinator since 2012.
ADAPTIVE THEATRE COORD.
