Our Team

John Kaywood

Executive Director

John Kaywood has been involved in the world of theatre since 2009 starting in a high school (Sullivan South High School) production of Aladdin. Since then John has done most theatrical jobs possible in a lot of different locations. These positions include Lighting Designer, Assistant Stage Manager, Stage Manager, Assistant Director, Actor, Director, House Manager, Dancer, and now Executive Director. He has worked in over 115 productions including two of the nation’s outdoor dramas (Horn in the West and Trail of the Lonesome Pine) and served as a Venue Director for the New York City International Fringe Festival and Logistics Stage Manager for The Fresh Fruit Festival in New York City, both in 2015. Hailing from Kingsport, Tennessee, Kingsport Theatre Guild means so much to him in his heart. He also worked at several theaters in the region such as: Theatre Bristol, Jonesborough Repertory Theatre, Johnson City Community Theatre, and Two Pence Productions.

Caitlyn Morelock

Assistant Executive Director/Events Manager

Caitlyn Morelock has spent many years in the theatre, both on stage and behind the curtain. She has recently directed We Will Rock You and Noises Off at Kingsport Theatre Guild. She has most recently worked as stage manager and assistant director for a variety of shows, including Bright Star, Cabaret, White Christmas, RENT, Little Shop of Horrors, Boeing, Boeing and A Christmas Cabaret. She has a great passion for the theatre and brings her enthusiasm to every show in which she is involved.

Christian Coger

Technical Director

Christian Coger is honored to serve as the Technical Director for Kingsport Theatre Guild. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies from East Tennessee State University, where he studied Theatre and Film. Christian is happy to call himself a true generalist within the theatre, one who keeps his hands in a bit of everything as the occasion warrants. He began his theatrical journey at the young age of 7 and has been enamored with its magic ever since. He is proud to have served local theatres across the region in all manner of positions both on-stage and off. From Actor to Stagehand to Director and more, Christian has also worked professionally as an Audio Engineer in New York City and locally. To date, Christian has helped to produce over 50 local theatrical productions including William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, How I Learned to Drive by Paula Vogel, Grease by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey, Rent by Jonathon Larson, and Avenue Q by Jeff Whitty.

Maxine Poole

Media Specialist

Maxine Poole is a graduate of Emory & Henry College, where she received her B.F.A. in Musical Theatre. As media specialist, Maxine helps Kingsport Theatre Guild to reach new audiences through social media, website management, online promotion and more. She is also an actress and has appeared in many productions. Some of her favorite roles include Maureen (RENT ), Marlene (Top Girls), Eva (Kindertransport), Blanche (A Streetcar Named Desire) and Gretchen (Boeing, Boeing). More of her theatrical work can be found at maxinepoole.wixsite.com/2023.

Brooke Bennett

Makeup Specialist

Brooke Bennett is so proud to be a part of KTG as a makeup specialist and a performer. Theatre has always been a part of her life and hopefully always will be. Some of her favorite roles have been Phantom (The Rocky Horror Show), The Grinch (Suessical), and Rosie (Cabaret). A special thanks to her mom and dad for always supporting her in all she does and a shoutout to her best friend for always being there.

Rebecca Nelson

Advertising Materialist

Rebecca Nelson graduated from ETSU with a degree in Digital Media. She and her husband run their own graphic design business called Creative Cat Graphics. She is thrilled to have found a place in the Kingsport Theatre Guild family both as an actress and a member of the Creative Team where she helps to reach new audiences through graphic design, photography, and videography. She hopes to see audiences both new and old enjoy this theatre as much as she does.

B.K. Martin

Properties Mistress

B. K. Martin is originally from Pennington Gap, VA and graduated from Emory and Henry College with a B.A. in English and Theatre. Her internship was completed at Theatre Bristol and she served a stint at Theatre IV, a professional theatre company in Richmond, VA. Longing for the hills of home, she returned to the area, settled in Kingsport and worked as a graphic designer for many years. After a twenty-five year hiatus from the stage, she returned in KTG's production of 'A Streetcar Named Desire' and remembered her first love - theatre! She also loves treasure hunting for the unusual pieces needed for productions and using her craftiness and design skills to create the items which turn illusion into reality. She is proud to be a part of Kingsport Theatre Guild working onstage or behind the scenes.

Sarah Shanks

Front of House Manager

Sarah Shanks holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from ETSU, where she learned to be a well-rounded theatre artist, practicing everything from acting to stagecraft to management and more. She has recently served as Music Director for Cabaret and Assistant Music Director for RENT at KTG, Music Director for JCCT’s production of Seussical, and Director of the 2019 production of The Rocky Horror Show and Dog Sees God at JCCT. She ran sound for both shows she directed. She was most recently seen as Killer Queen in the KTG Main Stage production of We Will Rock You. She is also assistant directing KTG’s upcoming 2nd Stage Show, How to Be a Respectable Junkie.