Meet the Team
Drew Baker, Artistic Director
Drew Baker became Tuscaloosa Children’s Theatre’s artistic coordinator in 2009, and since 2022 she has served as artistic director. During her tenure, she has directed Aladdin JR., Alice in Wonderland, Annie JR., Charlotte’s Web, Elf The Musical JR., The Little Mermaid JR., Mary Poppins JR., Peter Pan JR., Thoroughly Modern Millie JR., and The Wizard of Oz, among others.
Drew received her Bachelor of Music, her Master of Fine Arts, and her Juris Doctor from The University of Alabama, and she has continued her involvement with UA’s Department of Theatre and Dance. Recent acting credits there include Hay Fever, Something Cloudy, Something Clear, The Glass Menagerie, The Rivals, The Winter’s Tale, and Young Frankenstein.
Throughout her life she has been an active performer with Theatre Tuscaloosa, including credits in A Little Night Music, Bye Bye Birdie, Cabaret, Dearly Departed, Dracula, Driving Miss Daisy, Lost in Yonkers, Moon Over Buffalo, My Fair Lady, Noises Off, Nunsense, Rumors, Steel Magnolias, The 39 Steps, The Diary of Anne Frank, The Drowsy Chaperone, and Wit, among others. For her performance in Theatre Tuscaloosa’s production of The End of the Line, she received Best Actress at the Southeastern Theatre Conference’s 2018 Community Theatre Festival. She has received five T. Earle Johnson Awards, Theatre Tuscaloosa’s honor celebrating excellence among its community volunteers.
The Arts and Humanities Council of Tuscaloosa has awarded Drew three Druid Arts Awards, celebrating her commitment to the Tuscaloosa arts community.
Ryn Miller, Interim Executive Director
Ryn Miller holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Mississippi and has a background in project management and communication. Her responsibilities at TCT include the preparation and execution of fundraising, development goals and strategies as well as managing the day-to-day operation of the organization. She will also work closely with the Saban Center, a STEAM campus being built in the Tuscaloosa River district, which will be the new home for TCT once complete.
Ryn first became involved in TCT by having her daughter participate in shows and then became an active board member.
Ryn worked at Encompass Health Corporation in Birmingham for seven years before moving to Tuscaloosa with her husband in 2012. She has been active in the non-profit sector in Tuscaloosa, serving on the boards at Family Counseling Service, Children’s Hands-On Museum, and her church.
Cole Cabiness, Program Director
Cole Cabiness has been involved in the arts community in Tuscaloosa since he was a child when he first auditioned for a production of “A Christmas Carol” in 2007 with TCT. It was then that he was bitten by the "theatre bug" and hasn't turned back since!
Cole made his TCT directorial debut with the overwhelmingly successful run of 'Frozen JR.' in December 2022, but has directed and choreographed a number of musicals for other organizations and schools throughout his career as a young artist such as High School Musical, Aladdin JR., Godspell, The SpongeBob Musical, Shrek JR., Mary Poppins JR., Newsies, and Joesph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, among others.
Cole graduated from the University of Alabama with a Bachelor’s degree in Arts Communication (Creative Media & Theatre) as well as a Master’s in Business Administration. He brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience in arts education, having worked for numerous community theatre groups (including TCT), local schools, and studios as a freelance director, choreographer, and arts instructor.
Jessica Prather, Costumer
Jessica Prather has her Bachelor of Science in Educational and English Language Arts from the University of North Alabama. She spent five years at Theatre Tuscaloosa as assistant to the costumer before coming to Tuscaloosa Children’s Theatre.
Jessica’s first show with TCT was Little Mermaid Jr. in spring 2022. Her favorite TCT memory is during the cast party of Little Mermaid. She recalls, “after they presented me with my poster, Drew told the cast I was costuming for the next show and all of the cast members yelled and screamed in excitement. There is no praise or compliment that is higher than that.”
Jessica is married, has two children, two dogs, two cats and five chickens.
Contact Us
Better yet, see us in person!
601 Energy Center Blvd.
Northport, AL 35473
Tuscaloosa Children's Theatre
Join us for Spring 2024!
Classes include but are not limited to: Acting, Musical Theatre Dance, Tap Dance, Costuming, Private Vocal Lessons, Audition Prep, and more!