Meet the Crew

Tanya Gilmer, Founder & Producing Artistic Director

Tanya Gilmer is the Founder and Producing Artistic Director of Lionheart Theatre. Tanya is a native of Georgia and graduated from Georgia Southern University with a BS in Communication Arts and Theatre. Lionheart has its roots in the Church Drama Ministry Tanya founded at Norcross Presbyterian Church. It was the hard work and dedication of a small group of folks there that Lionheart was born and has grown into one of the leading community theatres in Gwinnett County. Tanya enjoys producing, directing and acting at Lionheart. It is Tanya’s hopes that Lionheart will continue to fulfill its mission to enrich, entertain and educate our community by making performance art accessible to the entire population.

Pete Cutter, Technical Director

After a bit of a hiatus from nearly 40 years of theater, Pete is happy to be back with a Theatre family again.

Locally, you may have seen some of Pete’s work previously at Oglethorpe University, Capitol City Opera Company, Atlanta Classical Theater, or various productions at the Woodruff Arts 14th Street Playhouse.

He hopes to bring his experience on stage, backstage, and in many other aspects of theater to continue the Lionheart tradition of elevated community theater.

Tasse Marie, Director of Education

Tasse Marie felt a pull to the theater in Middle School. She was not cast in the play, or even asked to be a crew member, but stayed after school to help the teacher in charge to create props, set pieces, and costumes anyway. That motivation to be involved in theatre continued throughout high school and even college as she continued on the Theatre Education track at Columbus State University. Throughout her experience, she has performed, designed, applied make-up, directed, constructed, stage managed, budgeted, etc., on many productions, as well as student-taught at Elementary, Middle, and High Schools in the Columbus, Ga area. At the end of her college career, she learned of the growing film industry in Atlanta, and decided to add a Film Certification to her degree through the Georgia Film Academy. The certification led to a couple internships, followed by a few PA positions, and led to her current position as Location Coordinator.

After 5 years of working in a more logistical position, Tasse wanted to reconnect with her creative side, and expressed this to her friends and family. One day, a friend (and former volunteer) gave her the contact information to get started at Lionheart. After volunteering for a strike/paint day, the volunteer opportunities continued to flow – stage management, bartending, box office, sound board operating, and holiday camp teaching. The people of Lionheart inspired her with their sense of community, excitement for the work they were doing, and motivation to share new perspectives through different stories. Each show held its own opportunities to grow, learn, and create in an environment full of other people that wanted the same thing.

Tasse is elated and honored to be a part of the Lionheart Community, and looks forward to sharing the “magic” behind the scenes and on the stage via multiple educational courses throughout the year. Come join this fabulous community and see what you can be capable of!

Brandi Kilgore, Director of Marketing

Brandi Kilgore is the Marketing Director for the Lionheart Theatre Company.

With over 10 years of experience in brand, digital, and content marketing in the Atlanta tech community, she enjoys the opportunity to combine her love of marketing and her love of theatre to promote Lionheart’s productions, camps, special events and classes.

Brandi was first introduced to performing in Kindergarten where her role as the narrator and her fantastic side ponytail were both showstoppers. Since this auspicious stage debut, Brandi has continued to grow in her love for the theatre and besides acting, also enjoys directing, stage managing and writing.

As an adult, Brandi has enjoyed performing with several local Atlanta theatre groups throughout the years. At Lionheart she has appeared in “The Crucible,” “Dearly Departed,” “Second Samuel,” “Come Back to the 5 & Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean,” “The Man Who Came to Dinner,” and “A Streetcar Named Desire.” She also directed the 2018 production of “A Southern Exposure,” the 2020 production of “Laundry and Bourbon,” the 2022 production of “The Lion in Winter,” and the 2024 production of “Love, Sex and the IRS.”

When Brandi is not at the theatre she enjoys traveling, reading and spending time with her dog, Adele.

Rebecca Jonas Rubin, Box Office Manager

Rebecca Jonas Rubin is thrilled to join the Lionheart “pride” as Box Office Manager.

Her first introduction to the stage was at the age of five when she stole the spotlight in her first dance recital as the 2nd duck from the left. Since that time she acquired her BA in Dance from the University of South Florida, was employed as a featured soloist with the NorthWest Florida Ballet, performed both supporting and lead roles at The Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse and just in 2019, found her new home at the Lionheart Theatre Company.

Rebecca and her “favorite” (only) daughter, Pamelyn, enjoy their time at Lionheart both on stage and behind the scenes. Although her husband, Craig, does not perform, he has assisted striking a set or two in his time. Looking forward to helping the public “find their seat” in live theatre, Rebecca is happy to help onstage and off.

Nancy Caldwell, Photographer

As the former box office manager and current photographer for Lionheart Theatre Company, Nancy says she feels blessed to have had the first opportunity to meet and greet our patrons over the years! Her involvement with Community Theater spans 30+ years, both on and off stage. She believes our goal here at Lionheart is to provide an enjoyable live theatre experience for not only the patrons who attend our shows, but all the directors, actors and crew who bring these amazing shows to life for our wonderful audiences.

Nancy said it’s an honor to be a part of the Lionheart Theatre Company and the Norcross community. She also wants you to be sure to check out the rest of the website for the most up to date information on what’s happening now and in the future at Lionheart!.