Welcome Brad, Patrick, Martha & Avery!
Brad Martin has joined Trustus as the new Director of Development. Prior to working with Trustus Theatre, he spent five years as Development Director for two non-profit performing arts organizations and 18 years managing retail stores in the Columbia area. Brad says, “I am excited to become part of the Trustus family. At Trustus, we have a history of providing engaging and entertaining productions for the Columbia community. Combine that with the exciting new education programs we are working on, and we believe Trustus Theatre will continue to develop into the destination arts organization for community residents and sponsors to invest their time and treasure.”
Patrick Michael Kelly, a Columbia native, is a theatre artist, educator, and administrator. Patrick joins Trustus as the Production Manager. He began working and training in the theatre right here at Trustus as a member of the Apprentice Company. He studied theatre at the South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts & Humanities and in the honors program at the University of South Carolina. Patrick also graduated from NYU/Tisch School of the Arts with an MFA in Acting. Most recently at Trustus, Patrick acted in the 2016 Trustus Playwright’s Festival winner Anatomy of a Hug and directed this season’s production of Hand to God. He’s also an active member of The Mothers, Trustus’ resident comedy troupe.
Martha Hearn Kelly has been a member of the Trustus family since 2001 when she joined the Apprentice Company as a freshman in high school. Martha joins Trustus as the Education Coordinator. She studied theatre at the South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts & Humanities and the University of South Carolina, and received her Masters in Educational Theatre from the City College of New York. Currently, she leads The Mothers, Trustus’ resident comedy troupe, and directs Columbia Children’s Theatre’s teen improv company, Just Happy to Be Here. Martha has also recently performed on the Trustus Stage in
Dog Sees God, Lieutenant of Inishmore, BOY and Hand to God.
Avery Bateman is a great addition to the Trustus team as our new Box Office Manager. She’s ready to take your calls or greet you in person! Avery has been seen in Dreamgirls (Lorelle Robinson), In The Red and Brown Water (Oya), A Christmas Carol (The Spirit of Christmas Past, Mrs. Cratchet, Constance, and Narrator 4), Ragtime (Sarah Brown), Ain’t Misbehavin’ (Avery “BayBay” Bateman), and many other productions here at her Trustus home. Avery received her BFA in Musical Theatre at Coker College 2011.