Ashley Pearson
Artistic Director
Ashley Pearson (she/her) has been involved in theatre in the Triad since 2009, covering almost every theatre from Yadkinville to Mebane. She is an actor/singer/director originally from Maryland and is a proud Latina. In 2019, she moved from Burlington to Winston-Salem and began working as the Theatre Teacher/Director at Salem Academy and College. Ashley has an extensive background in dance, voice, acting, and piano, and has performed across the East Coast for the past 30 years. She studied music theatre through intensive programs at University of the Arts (Philadelphia), Elon University, and through several DC-area organizations. In 2006, she served as the Director for the drama camps through YMCA, where she ran the program as well as wrote and directed the productions. She was a member of the Montgomery College Summer Dinner Theatre program for several years, including as their Company Manager in 2007. Ashley served as a founding board member for Studio 1 (Community Theatre) in Burlington, serves as the Music Director for the SHINE Theatre Camp for individuals with disabilities, and regularly performs and directs throughout the triad. Selected previous Camel City Playhouse credits include: Spring Awakening (Director), Songs for a New World (Woman 2), and the recent staged reading of the screenplay for Glengarry Glen Ross (Ricky Roma). Ashley is excited to step into this new role with Camel City Playhouse and is so appreciative of all who support the arts!
Leslie Craig
Board Chair
Meet Leslie Craig, the Board Chair of Camel City Playhouse! Leslie’s theater journey kicked off in 2018. From day one, Leslie’s been a supporter of the theatre. She trusts that her love for the arts and infectious enthusiasm will benefit the organization. Leslie’s not just about the stage – she’s all about the people. She’s taken the time to get to know the incredible folks who make up the arts scene in Winston Salem. It’s not just about the performances; it’s about building a community, and Leslie’s been a key player in making that happen. Proud doesn’t even begin to cover it when Leslie talks about Camel City Playhouse. In a short time, the theatre has soared to new heights, thanks in no small part to the dedication of the board members and volunteers. But Leslie isn’t one to rest on her laurels. Nope, she’s bubbling with excitement about what’s next. Camel City Playhouse is set for even greater achievements!
Peter Wilson
Technical Director
Our Technical Director and resident wizard (I mean, seriously, what else other than magic explains the miracles Peter has pulled off here at Camel City Playhouse???) is the behind the scenes guru that has (in many ways quite literally) built the theatre. Without Peter behind the scenes, our actors would have no spotlight to find. In fact we’d be lucky to find the house lights. No really. Sometimes that happens… Quite simply, we’d be lost without Peter. Give him a wave next time you’re in the Playhouse. He’ll most likely be up in the tech booth. If he’s not there, chances are one of the rest of us broke something!
Jeff Hammer
Treasurer & Film Screenings Coordinator
Jeff has more than a decade of teaching experience at the college and high school level. As a freelance filmmaker, he currently has several projects in various stages of production and development. In addition to teaching, he serves as the Assistant Dean of Academics for the School of Filmmaking at UNCSA. Jeff tells us what we can afford. Since we are in theatre we usually assume the answer is “nothing”, but under Jeff’s stewardship we’re often surprised! It might be a little bit of a stretch to say that Jeff holds the purse strings, but he always knows where the purse is, how much is in it, and how much we need. Which lets us rest easy. After all, some us can only count to 5…6…7…8…
Maryl Wilson
House Manager
Maryl is thankful that her husband and two sons have supported her return to the stage here at Camel City Playhouse, where she has appeared in several productions in addition to running Front of House operations. She has also appeared in local theatres including KLT, LTWS, and Spirit Gum. In addition to thanking the men in her family for their support, we would be remiss not to mention the equally supportive puppy that does happy dances when she comes home!
Rob Taylor
Spilled Ink Staged Readings Program Director
Rob brings nearly forty years of experience as an actor, director, writer, and producer to the Spilled Ink Staged Readings program and Camel City Playhouse. He has performed and had his works performed in four countries and fourteen states and directing Camel City Playhouse’s production of Macbeth earlier this season marked his 90th production. More than fifty of them in the Piedmont Triad over the last 25 years! When not at the theatre, Rob runs Eye Wonder Artistry & Games providing art, illustration, copy editing and proofreading services to tabletop gaming companies alongside his work as a professional Games Master and independent artist.