The hiring comes as the Stage Door prepares to reopen the theater after being closed since March 12, 2020.
Stage Door Players, Dunwoody’s premier professional theatre, has hired Willie E. Jones, III as its new Artistic Director as we prepare to reopen our doors.
“We are so excited to have Willie join us and really begin to move our mission forward, to begin to Engage, Inspire, Educate and Entertain our community in ways that we have not done in the past. Hiring our Artistic Director was a primary focus of the Board of Directors and continues to activate our strategic plan.” said Debbie Fuse, Managing Director of Stage Door Theatre.
The hiring of Jones comes as Stage Door begins to plan the reopening of the theater in Dunwoody.
“I believe theatre can spark change, inspire our dreams, and show us who we are. Theatre should ask questions, not just offer answers. Through SDT’s work we will foster honest conversation by giving voice to all ideas.” Jones said. “We cannot forget the equally important task of entertaining; of helping each other escape our hardships and realities for a few moments by providing an afternoon or evening of delight. The arts of comedy, musical comedy, murder mysteries, and other related works are essential to the fabric of this theatre’s artistic foundation, execution, and teachings.”
Jones is an actor, director, playwright, producer, and educator from the University of Minnesota/Guthrie Theatre BFA Actor Training Program and has additional training from the American Academy of Dramatic Art. Jones played the title role in Julius Caesar at the Globe Theatre in London. He has co- founded education programs such as the Educational Theatre Extension Program, festivals like the Quarantine Bake-off Playwriting Competition, and co-founded the MN Black Theatre Circle.
“We are looking forward to seeing Willie’s ideas come to fruition over the next few years,” said Fuse. “His theatrical knowledge, his interest in our community and his willingness to work with the Atlanta artists, our schools, our City is exciting to see.”
Upcoming shows and programming soon will be on Stage Door’s website (www.stagedoortheatre.net). Watch for more information about Willie and the Stage Door Theatre as we continue to prepare to open in late summer both inside the theater and at Brook Run Park’s Amphitheatre. CDC and City mandated practices will be incorporated to ensure a safe experience for both our patrons and our actors.
Stage Door Theatre (SDT) – (formerly Stage Door Players), located in Dunwoody Georgia, was founded in 1974 as a community theater by the Dunwoody Woman’s Club. SDT is a 125-seat theater located in the North Atlanta metro area, in the Dunwoody Cultural Arts Building, located at 5339 Chamblee Dunwoody Road. SDT a fully professional, award winning, theater and boasts over 1200 season ticket holders.
