Cherokee Theatre Company History
We're honored to be the longest running theatre company in Cherokee County
Our mission is to provide quality live entertainment for Cherokee County and the surrounding area.
Meet the 2025 - 2026 Board of Directors
Becca Hogue
President
Becca is the Senior Director of Development for a nonprofit public media organization, with years of experience in arts and fundraising. With a degree in Theatre, she has worked in professional and community theatre for almost two decades. She's been involved with Cherokee Theatre Company (CTC) since 2008, taking on roles as an actor, director, and stage manager. Now serving as CTC's president, Becca is passionate about creating a vibrant space for theatre lovers. She lives in Canton, GA, and is deeply invested in fostering connections through both her work in public media and her dedication to the arts.
Sarah Nation
VP of Administration
Sarah works in Finance for a local non-profit organization. Drawing on her background in Media Production, she has served as Vice President of Administration and Marketing Director for CTC since 2012, where she has strengthened patron engagement and membership growth through strategic digital media campaigns. An award-winning actress and dedicated supporter of the performing arts, Sarah is proud to call Canton, GA home. Outside of her professional and theatrical pursuits, she enjoys time with her husband, daughter, and their beloved cats.
Nancy Jensen
VP of Production
Nancy Jensen, a Brigham Young University graduate with a degree in Music Education, retired from a career in Human Resources with the Granite School District in Salt Lake City, Utah. She was a founding member of the Sagebrush Players Theatre in Evanston, Wyoming, and has served on the boards of the Murray Arts Council, Salt Lake Children’s Theatre (now Parker Theatre), and Centerstage North. Having lived in Georgia for about eight years, Nancy is currently the Vice President of Production on the board of CTC. She has taught stagecraft for five years and has worked as a director, stage manager, sound and light technician, and designer in various theatre groups.
Emily Mimbs
Treasurer
Emily Mimbs is an accomplished English teacher and department chair with a Master of Arts in Teaching in Secondary English and a Bachelor of Arts in English. Since 2006, she has been a part of the Cherokee Theatre Company (CTC) community, taking on roles such as VP of Production, Member at Large, designer, director, and stage manager. She is currently serving as Treasurer for CTC. With a background in Accounting and Education, she brings a unique blend of creativity and leadership to her work. Based in Woodstock, GA, she also runs her own bookkeeping business, finding joy and connection through the arts in her community.
Lauren Smith
Secretary
A nine-year resident of Woodstock, Lauren is an alumna of The University of Georgia, and leads a team of Client Solutions Managers at a healthcare technology company. Theatre has played a large role in her life since childhood, and she is thrilled for CTC to be her ‘theatre home’. She loves participating both on and off stage and is passionate about theatre being a cornerstone in the community and a place for people to come together.
Jonathan Butler
Member-at-Large
Jonathan Butler has enjoyed working with Chick-fil-A for over 8 years, honing his relationship-building and community engagement skills. A lifelong lover of theatre, he has been performing since childhood and continued his passion by teaching drama to 5-7-year-olds after graduating high school. Actively involved in his local community, Jonathan loves to volunteer with various projects, organizations, and events. He is based in Woodstock, GA and also enjoys photography, crafting, and creating something delicious in the kitchen.
Nicholas Higgins
Member-at-Large
Nicholas is a seasoned project manager for a Fortune 500 company, bringing over 25 years of theatre experience to the stage. A dedicated member of CTC for the past two years, he has been deeply involved in local productions while residing in Canton, GA. His passion for theatre shines both on and off the stage, blending his leadership skills with his creative talents.
Ed Palombo
Founding Director
Ed Palombo (CTC Founding Director) has involved himself in all aspects of the backstage world for more than 45 years. He earned his bachelor and master’s degrees in Theatre and Stagecraft from Berry College and Lamar University, respectively. He has been involved in educational, professional and community theatre productions for his entire career and now dedicates most of his time to Cherokee Theatre Company. Ed and his wife Becky of 47yrs have two adult sons and four grandsons.
Jeff Bennett
Past President
Jeff Bennett is a founding member of the Cherokee Theatre Company, established in 1986, and has served as President, Treasurer, and now Immediate Past President. He remains actively involved as a director, writer, actor, and set constructor. Jeff earned his BA in Drama, BS in History, and BS in Education (Speech, Communication, & Theatre) from Jacksonville State University, along with a Master’s and Specialist Degree in School Counseling. He is currently in his 30th year as a school counselor in Cherokee County. In addition to his theatre and educational work, Jeff is deeply involved in the community, serving as President of the Holly Springs Optimist Club, Founding President of the Kiwanis Club of North Cherokee, and working with Cherokee FOCUS Youth Council. He also serves on the Alumni Board of Directors for Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity as the Balanced Man Steward for new member education.
Let's hang out and have a coffee together.
Saturday's are for set builds! We meet most Saturdays from 10am to 12pm to work on our current production. We would love to see you at the Hangar -- coffee and breakfast is on us!
