KRIS DODDS WILLIAMS
President, Board of Directors
Kris Dodds Williams is a 2006 Bachelor’s of Theatre Arts graduate of Averett University. She currently works as a drama educator with Tunstall High School, Piedmont Summer Regional Governor’s School, and Smokestack Theatre Company. Her acting credits include Little Red in “Into the Woods”, Romaine Patterson in “The Laramie Project”, Eunice in “Tennessee Williams' A Streetcar Named Desire”, and Laura in “The Glass Menagerie”; along with credits in “The Mousetrap” and “Noises Off”. With STC, credits include Lana Sherwood in “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play,” Volluney in “Cafe Murder,” and cast member of “Smokestack Improv.” Kris would like to thank our amazing community that continues to support theatre and the Arts.
MARK HARRELSON
Vice President, Board of Directors
Raised in Providence, NC, Mark Harrelson has called Danville home for the past 29 years. A graduate of Bartlett Yancey Senior High and Danville Community College, Mark has worked in various communication-related fields, including many years as a newspaper reporter/editor and in area radio newsrooms and broadcast booths. A veteran of the local stage, Mark has appeared in numerous productions for The Little Theatre of Danville and served on that organization’s board of directors for many years. He is a founding member of Smokestack Theatre Company and has appeared in multiple Smokestack productions.
RACHEL TIMM
Treasurer, Board of Directors
Rachel Timm is a founding member of STC and has also enjoyed various roles, both onstage and off, with Averett University Theatre, Danville Center Stage, Southside On Stage, and North Star Theatre Project. Most recently she directed STC's Summerstack youth production of Firebringer.
JESS BRAMMER-OWENS
Secretary, Board of Directors
Jess Brammer-Owens has a doctorate in education. She currently works as the Head of School at Lionheart Academy of the Triad in Greensboro. Jess was a speech and language pathologist at the Center for Pediatric Therapies for ten years. She is a clinical specialist in autism spectrum disorders and a youth mental health specialist. She began working with Smokestack in 2019 to support our mission to provide theatre for everyone by ensuring access to neurodiverse individuals. In addition, Jess brings experience with grant writing and non-for-profits. She participated in drama in high school and college and is happy to return to the theatre by working with the board; in addition to watching her children perform in Smokestack productions. Jess is proud to be involved with this amazing group of people and share their work with this community.
KIRSTEN AHERRON
Board of Directors
Kirsten Aherron is the Communications and Events Manager at River District Association. She has a B.A. in English and French from Luther College, an M.B.A in Organizational and Environmental Sustainability from Antioch University New England, and a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Duke University. She has always loved the arts and has played her violin in many community orchestras over the years. She loves to garden, paint, draw and do anything creative! She is excited to be a member of Smokestack Theatre Company's board, and be a part of promoting the arts in Danville.