James Hendley Co-Founder & Artistic Director

James is a Co-founder and Artistic Director of Newnan Shakespeare in the Park. He is very excited to bring Shakespeare to Greenville Street Park for a third year in a row! Originally from Newnan, James earned his BFA in musical theatre from Western Carolina University in 2015. Some of his favorite past roles include Romeo in Romeo and Juliet (North Carolina Stage Company), Tom Sawyer in Huck and Tom and the Mighty Mississippi (Virginia Repertory Theatre), and Haemon in Antigone (Barter Players). James is currently earning his MFA in acting from Northern Illinois University. James would like to thank his family and RJA for filling his life with love and support.

Madeline Sain Co-Founder & Managing Director

Madeline Sain is a proud Co-founder and Managing Director of Newnan Shakespeare in the Park. She was raised in Newnan and graduated from LaGrange College before completing the Summer Intensive at Stella Adler Conservatory in New York. She is an assistant director for Brooks Elementary’s fifth grade musicals and is currently producing and directing a play for the Forest School in Fayetteville, GA. She is also currently a part of the 2019-2020 Acting Apprentice Company at Horizon Theatre in Atlanta.

Shaan Sharma Director of Twelfth Night

Shaan graduated in 2015 from The College of William & Mary with a double major in Physics and Theatre. He is excited to return to Newnan Shakespeare to direct Twelfth Night after acting in last summer’s production of Romeo and Juliet. As an actor, he has been seen as Pip in Great Expectations (Barter Theatre), Johnse in Sally McCoy (Barter Theatre), Silvio in Servant of Two Masters (Colonial Williamsburg) and Demetrius in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Virginia Shakespeare Festival) among many others. This year, Shaan’s original play The Sword in the Stone had both its world premiere and a North Carolina premiere in two marvelous productions. Shaan owes an enormous debt of gratitude to the Barter Player company, his family, and his wonderful girlfriend SVD for their unending love and support.
Website: www.shaanyogesh.com

Rusty Allen Tour Coordinator

Rusty is thrilled for his first season with Newnan Shakes! A hapa actor, teaching artist, and arts administrator, he is a firm believer in the power of theatre to positively impact all people and is passionate about breaking down socioeconomic obstacles to reach new audiences.  Rusty recently spent the 2016-2019 seasons at the historic Barter Theatre where he appeared in 30 productions including David in The SantaLand Diaries, Leo Bloom in The Producers, and Miss Havisham/Herbert in Great Expectations.  Other credits include Geva Theatre Center, the Rev Theatre Co, and 7 Stages Shakespeare.  He is a native of Rochester, NY and holds a BA in Theatre from SUNY Geneseo.  Heartfelt love and thanks to his family and especially to JLWH for being a daily source of heart and inspiration.