WHO WE ARE
Lynn Rhoades, M.Div.
co-founder & Executive director
Along with administrative oversight, program development and vocal coaching, Rhoades provides emotional and spiritual support for Authoring Action authors and their families. An artist in her own right, Rhoades’ love of performance art and passion for the health and well-being of young people and those whose voices the world needs to hear, joins her commitment to social justice as a leader of this organization.
Nathan Ross Freeman
Co-founder & Artistic Director
Freeman provides program development, oversight, and artistic direction for all Authoring Action programs. As innovator of Authoring Action’s signature writing process, his passion for work with young people merges with his love for creative writing, filmmaking and impact communication.
Willie LaVon Holmes II
ASSISTANT ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Willie Holmes is the assistant artistic director, and alumnus of the “Apsouliste” ensemble. Currently studying computer science at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Willie is a soon to be published writer, with film credits and also a self published book to his name. He has been apart of the Authoring Action staff as Assistant Artistic Director, mentor and teacher since 2010. He currently resides in Greensboro, NC.
Audra Byers
DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
Audra oversees fundraising and plays a key role in seeking out new opportunities for grants and sponsorships. Her dedication to Authoring Action is inspired by her years of providing yoga instruction with the teen authors, and her personal passion for writing. An advocate for arts and education, she is committed to Authoring Action’s mission to leverage teen voices.
Collaborating artists
From Authoring Action's origins, the support and development of local professional artists has been a top priority. Authoring Action contracts with artists to teach their craft, exposing authors to their artistic visions and skills through collaboration. The result is a magical thing... a product created by both the teen apprentice and the professional artist. Artists are recognized and celebrated and often report that their connection and mentoring has informed their own craft as they develop and hone their ability to be teaching artists.
In it’s first 21 yeast, Authoring Action's Summer Intensive Youth Program worked with collaborating choreographers and film-makers. Artists are graduates from the North Carolina School of the Arts, Juilliard and California Arts Institute. Below are artists who have worked with Authoring Action:
Frenchie LaVern
Costume DesignAdam Ingram Perry Cinematographer
Jennifer O’Kelly
Art Director
musicians
Tiffany Thompson Songwriting/Music Composition
“Jazz” Salter Composer/ Audio technician
RENAISSANCE COLLABORATING ARTISTS
Jimmie “JJ” Jeter Guest Artist, Composer/ Musician
Tony Jenkins Guest Artist, Writer/Engagement Development
Zola D. Daniel Guest Artist, Writer/Engagement Development
Throughout the school year, visiting artists collaborate on special projects and partnerships. Each are paid via income through honoraria, donations, workshop fees, or special project grants.