Sarah Lacy Hamilton (Production Manager, Intimacy Consultant) is a director and producer specializing in actor-driven productions of new and contemporary plays that foreground the human condition and highlight the experiences of underrepresented communities. Past directing credits include PALANQUIN, Sweat, Blackberry: A Burial, HIR, and Nothing But Days at UI; Dry Land at Upstart Productions; and Gruesome Playground Injuries, Julius Caesar, and True West with House Party Theatre. She will direct the Knoxville premiere of In the Next Room or the vibrator play at R&R in the spring of 2022. MFA, University of Iowa. BFA, Southern Methodist University. Associate Member, Stage Directors and Choreographers Society.

Kaylin Gess (Scenic and Lighting Designer) is a 2nd year MFA candidate in Lighting Design at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. This is her first show with River & Rail, and she is so excited to be here! Gess was previously a Charlotte-based Lighting Designer, Scenic Designer, and Scenic Painter who worked as the Assistant Technical Director at Davidson College, her alma mater from 2017-2020. Professional design credits include: Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte, Jobsite Theatre, Hat Trick Theatre, Patel Conservatory, M.A.D. Theatre of Tampa, and Davidson College. Kaylin holds a B.A. in Theatre from Davidson College.

Marcus Hall of Marc Nelson Denim (Costume Designer) was born june 1st 1970. Home town of Knoxville,Tennessee. Taught to sew by his mother and vocational program at Austin East. Graduated Central High School in 1989. Obtained Barber license from The Knoxville Institute of Hair design in 1991. Owned and operated a salon for 13 years in the East Knoxville community.  Started Marc Nelson denim in November 2011. Has 2 beautiful daughters Kharma 18 and Indigo 4. He’s always had a passion for helping people look and be their best and wants to use that same passion in helping the actors and director of Pass Over to express and share their vision and message.

Leigh Shields (Props Designer) is a second-year undergraduate student at the University of Tennessee studying Cinema Studies and Theatre with a concentration in Acting. She has been involved in theatre since she was nine years old and has performed in thirteen productions. She would not be here without the help of the incredible people at Knoxville Children’s Theatre. 

Keeley Wade (Co-Stage Manager) is excited to be working on her second show with River & Rail. She is currently studying history and theatre at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She’d like to thank her sister for introducing her to theatre.

Raiven Wright (Co-Stage Manager) is excited to be part of her first production with River & Rail Theatre Company. She holds a BFA in Theatre Administration from Howard University. Some of her favorite past production credits include A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Antigone. 

Joe Tolbert Jr. (Community Engagement Coordinator) is a minister, art critic, and the founder and lead cultural strategist of Art at the Intersections. He received his B.S. in Communications from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and completed his M.Div. in Social Ethics from Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York. Joe is a sought after facilitator and cultural strategist that works with communities and institutions to help them harness the power of art and culture through the building, implementation and evaluation of cultural strategies. His work has been supported by fellowships from National Art Strategies Creative Communities Fellowship and the Intercultural Leadership Institute. As a writer, he has contributed articles and book chapters Applied Theater with Youth, Alternate Roots, Arts.Black, and Quiet Lunch, among others.

Damon Rawls (Marketing Specialist) is the Founder of The Innovation Digital Agency. Innovation Digital is in the business of marketing through the various social media channels to drive web traffic, engage an audience, run social campaigns, and contribute unique content to a follower base. We are committed to influencing optimal revenue growth while exceeding our client’s expectations. We are a group of passionate marketers, committed to the success of our clients.

Jaleria Rivera (Sound Board Operator) is proud to experience her first production with River & Rail Theatre Company. As a later-bloomed dancer with a professional background in sales marketing, her unconventional artistic path supplies a unique perspective to any project. To friends and family, she’s known as a passionate Amateur, who’s unafraid to dive into an activity with the utmost curiosity and enjoyment. Jaleria’s primary source of fulfillment derives from movement, where she dutifully practiced for a year in oriental, waving, and heels. Collaboration and vulnerability influences her work, and she’s thrilled to continue her artistic journey into the theatre.