FOT Advisory Board Members

Donald R. Parks

President

Donald R. Parks is a A veteran educator/administrator. He retired from the Air Force with 25 years of service. He was selected to manage the Operations and Sustainment Systems Branch. He was awarded the Air Force Exemplary Civilian Service Award and was inducted into the Organization’s Hall of Fame.

He is a member of several professional and civic organizations including Life Member of The Air Force Sergeants Association, The Retired Enlisted Association, The American Legion, and The Disabled American Veterans.

Dr. Melvin A. Lowe, III

Vice President/Business Manager

A veteran educator/administrator dedicated to the advancement of public education and student achievement. An active member of the Alabama Education Association including a State Officer. He is a practicing public school district administrator in the Macon County Public School System. Dr. Lowe is a native of Daytona Beach Flordia and Montgomery, Alabama. He believes that all student and adult learners can achieve with positive support and encouragement. 

Dr. Tommie Tonea Stewart

Creative Director

Dr. Tommie “Tonea” Stewart hails from Greenwood, Mississippi. She is Dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts at Alabama State University and the founder of FOT. She has a large portfolio of onscreen work. Just to name a few,  Black Adam, Girls Trip, Time to Kill, and Mississippi Burning. She also has created many theater programs such as T.A.P.S, Camp 3T, TTI, ARPAC, and many more. Every day she continues to inspire and help push the arts forward.

Dr. Linwood B. Whitten

Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs

Dr. Whitten navigated his formative years as a global citizen due to the military service of his parents. He has received several awards and recognitions such as: the Pan African Network of ACPA as one of the 2022 Sawubona Class of 30 Under 40 in the categories of Advocacy, Programming, Civic Engagement and Service Initiatives; His induction into the inaugural class of the AAMU “40 Under 40” Champions; the Alabama A&M University National Alumni Association “Eloise Sterrs” Award for bridging the generation gap between current students and alumni.

Ms. Cheryl Lang

Board Member

With 50 years’ of experience in working with a myriad of populations in health care arenas. She has 15 years of experience in providing direct services to victims of sexual assault (SA), domestic violence (DV), dating violence and stalking. She is currently the Violence Against Wo(men) Program Director for Alabama State University.  She provides oversight for Sexual, Domestic, Dating and Stalking ,violence prevention and education training for students and employees. Services for students who are victims of such offenses, and identifies and provide SDDS training for campus Law Enforcement and Judicial Departments.

James Flowers

Board Member

Mr. Flowers served on diversified committees at Alabama State University which include being a member of the Human Resources Interviewing and Hiring Committee for Residential Life for over five years . Mr. Flowers has attended several conferences on Housing and Residential Life in Higher Education across the United States. Mr. Flowers is a graduate of Tuskegee Institute(University) and Alabama State University and through his educational attainments he is a Master’s level counselor.

Sherry Seawright  Williams

Board Member

Ms. Sherry Seawright Williams  and her family have been dedicated to ensuring the community thrives on culture and support. The heart of her initiative beats through as a passionate fundraiser who channels her efforts towards nurturing the artistic talents of young students. Her impact resonates throughout Alabama supporting and creating a vibrant tapestry where creativity flourishes, and students find unwavering support in their artistic endeavors. She is a testament to the community coming together for the greater good and fostering a rich environment for artistic growth.

Chrystal Bates Matuscak

Board Member

Chrystal is a playwright, actor, singer, poet and director.

Randolph Matuscak

Board Member

Randy now retired,  spent three decades working in the field of juvenile justice as a juvenile probation officer, and as an intake director for an Erie, PA residential treatment program, Harborcreek Youth Services. In 1997 his education  and his experience allowed him to become an expert witness, defending over 500 children arrested as adults through 2021. Following U.S. Supreme Court decisions in Miller v. Alabama and Montgomery v. Louisiana, Randy began testifying for adults given life sentences for crimes committed as children, leading to reduced sentences.

Marilyn Hobbs

Board Member

Marilyn Hobbs is a graduate of Alabama State University. Marilyn has worked in the Legal Profession for 30 years working for companies like Chrysler Corporation and Alabama Supreme Court. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. She serves on the boards of Montgomery Botanical Gardens and One Montgomery.  Marilyn is an active supporter of ASU Theater, the Shakespeare Theater, the Capri Theater, the Cloverdale Theater.

Rita Tyson

Board Member

Rita Tyson worked tirelessly for 32 years in Michigan as a International Labor Representative before retiring in 2019, and coming to Montomery as a snowbird, she is new a member who plans to support FOT with passion and enthusiasm.

Nicole Dallaway

Board Member

Nicole Ivory Dallaway is a graduate of the Alabama State University. She has spent 23 years working in Montgomery Public Schools.Currently working as District Hearing Officer. She  works closely with the Athletic Department. She works with youth groups from all around the United States. She has worked diligently with other youth groups such as the Tonea Stewart Camps. She's worked with the camps TAPS/3T, and GIFTED. She is a member of the Alabama Education Association, Friends of the Theatre, and 50 Under 50. She is co-founder of Conscious Capital Investment Enterprises.

Beverly Harris Bassett

Board Member

From the Mississippi Delta (Greenwood). Having received my Bachelors, Masters, and Specialist Degree in Education from Jackson State University. Moving forward to teach secondary education for 23 years in the state of Mississippi, direct “The Eye Of The Tiger Performers”, and the Repertory Theatre of Mississippi . Retired after teaching 16 years at Alabama State University and working with the four newly formed summer camps. Guiding more than eight thousand youths for over 27 years and maintaining a commitment to the Friends Of The Theatre and its mission.

Ron Bassett

Board Member

Born in Mobile, Alabama and raised in Southern California. He spent nearly 30 years working in the field of Telecommunication Engineering with GTE. Currently working for Hyundai-Transys of Montgomery. He is a licensed Realtor and has a passion for family, friends, and fishing.

Dr. Emily Walker

Board Member

Retired Educator for over 42 years. Worked in various positions and trained many outstanding leaders. Affiliated with many organizations and groups , a member of Delta Sigma Theta sorority incorporate. A member of Hall Street Baptist Church Montgomery , Alabama Love to travel and spread Love and kindness to as many as will receive it