Meet the Team
Mary Jane Turner, Executive Director
Mary Jane Turner brings a wealth of leadership, educational, and publishing experience to her role as Executive Director of Tuscaloosa Children’s Theatre. She previously served as President of the TCT Board of Directors for four years, demonstrating a longstanding commitment to the organization’s mission and growth.
Mary Jane holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from The University of Alabama. She began her career as an educator in the Tuscaloosa City School system before transitioning into publishing. As the founder and Publisher of Kids Life Magazine, a widely respected family-focused publication, she provided valuable resources to parents and children across the region until 2016.
With a strong background in education, business, and nonprofit leadership, Mary Jane is dedicated to fostering creativity and community through the performing arts.
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.
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 Joseph 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 the arts and arts education, having worked professionally as a performer with Red Mountain Theatre in Birmingham, Alabama, as well as 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
