Imaginators

Imaginators Bring the Exhibits to Life

Come and see  the Imaginators, our troupe of professional actors and educators, as they perform (and sometimes write!) entertaining programs to help you learn and have fun!  Don't miss our original and lively 20-minute mini-musicals.  When they call out for volunteers, raise your hand and you could become a part of the show!

The Imaginators

Meet the Imaginators

 Marc Farley has been acting since the age of 14.  He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and English from Newberry College in Newberry, SC.  He was trained at Second City in Santa Monica, CA.  Marc is one of the founding members of Laughing Matters, the oldest improvisational comedy troupe in the Southeast.  He has also worked as an actor and playwright for Agatha's, A Taste of Mystery comedy dinner theatre, since 1997.  He also works as a freelance writer, most recently with Turner Classic Movies.  Marc has been seen and heard in several TV and radio commercials and can be found in the DVD of the Academy Award-winning film, "Walk the Line," under "Deleted Scenes."  Marc is new to the world of the Imaginators, and he's loving every minute of it!

Laura Lee Gill is a recent graduate from Shorter College.  She graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre and a minor in Education.  Laura Lee was a member of Shorter’s improv troupe “This, That, and The Other” and the women’s a capella group “Added Bonus.”  While at Shorter, Laura landed one of the lead roles in the Shorter Opera’s production of “The Merry Widow as Valencienne.”  Some of her other favorite college credits include Joanne (“Godspell”), Scout (“To Kill a Mockingbird”), and Alice (“Thoroughly Modern Millie”). Laura Lee is thrilled to be an Imaginator!

Joanne M. Gonzalez has been working with children since she was a teenager. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Special Education from the University of Puerto Rico, and she is currently working on her Master's degree at Georgia State University on Professional Counseling (with a special interest in Play Therapy). Before becoming a Visitor Services staff member at Imagine It! The Children’s Museum of Atlanta, she worked as an Art Studio teacher for 5 years. Now she has joined the Imaginators.  She also has been a Spanish-English translator since she was 15 years old.

Eric J. Little is happy to be working as an Imaginator at Imagine It! The Children's Museum of Atlanta.  Eric has a Master of Fine Arts in Acting from Louisiana State University.  At the Museum, Eric has choreographed five of the past shows. He co-wrote the show Georgia Grown and directed Tulie's Roots. His credits in Atlanta outside the Museum include Miss Evers' Boys (True Colors), August Wilson Full Circle (Alliance/True Colors), Gee's Bend (Theatrical Outfit), Blue Door (Suzi Award nominee-Lead Actor, Theatre in the Square),  Romeo & Juliet (Georgia Shakespeare), and Kaiser Permanente Education Theatre.  Credits at Louisiana State University include You Can't Take it with You, The Illusion, Two Gents, and Ma'Rainey. He's a part of Elizabeth Baptist's Drama Ministry, and he teaches drama at Heard's Home School Academy.

DeWayne Morgan has a BA in Speech and Theatre with an emphasis in Theatre Performance from the University of West Georgia.  He is Artistic Director for The Process Theatre Company where he has workshopped and produced new plays by local playwrights.  In addition, he  has acted and directed in many theatres around town including Dads Garage, Stage Door Players, and Theatre Gael, to name a few.  He won a Best Actor Award for his portrayal of Arnold in "Torch Song Trilogy" at The Process Theatre.  He toured the southeast for several years with GMT Productions out of Rome, GA.  His favorite role on tour was Winnie the Pooh "Oh, Bother."  He has been working at Imagine It! The Children’s Museum of Atlanta for three years and loves every minute of it.

Amy Morrow has been apart of the Imagine It! The Children’s Museum of Atlanta family since the fall of 2007 and has enjoyed every minute! Before coming to the Museum, she received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Performance from Valdosta State University were she has also performed with their professional summer repertory company, Peach State Summer Theatre.  After graduation, she taught with the Gwinnett County Public School system, performed with local theatres in the Atlanta area including The Process Theatre, Theatre Decatur, Tell Tale Theatre, and Ovation Productions, and traveled to Italy to continue her studies of comic acting. Currently, she is working with Off the Cobb improv troupe and KidStuf Live! at Browns Bridge Community Church.

Melissa Powell grew up in Rome, GA and performed throughout high school at the community theatre, Rome Little Theatre, and Rome High School.  She also had a blast teaching theatre, dance, and music at the Alton Holman Heritage Art Camp in Cave Springs, GA.  Melissa graduated from Shorter University in 2009 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre.  Some of her favorite college credits include Maggie Winslow in “A Chorus Line” and Gianetta in “The Gondoliers.”  After graduating, she performed professionally in Atlanta, Virginia, Wisconsin, and New York.  Her favorite professional credits include Millie Dillmount (“Thoroughly Modern Mille”) and Suzy Simpson (“The Marvelous Wonderettes”).  Melissa's next performance will be in “The Mikado” with The Atlanta Lyric Theatre.

W. Derek Ratliff has been acting for 15 years.  His favorite roles include Emory in “Boys in the Band,” and most definitely Belize (and Mr. Lies) in “Angels in America,” in which he also got to play the clarinet.  He has appeared in a couple of commercials and films and is currently writing a screenplay, a soap opera of sorts with lots of drama and action entitled “Fabulous & Gorgeous.”  Derek also plays several musical instruments, including the trumpet, clarinet, saxophone and flute and just loves concert band music.  He’s an avid disco and 70s/80s music fan, and if he had his way, there would be a big old disco ball in the middle of the Museum!

Jerry G. White has over 20 years of experience as a professional actor and musician including the leading role of “John” in the 1988 Academy Award Nominated Short Film “Gullah Tales.”  He creates a world within the stories that he tells.  Jerry G. is on the Board of Directors of the Decatur Arts Alliance, and he is a recreational instructor with DeKalb County Parks & Recreation where he is the acting/drama instructor.  Two of his volunteering activities include the Decatur Arts Festival and the Decatur Book Festival.  He encourages everyone to “listen with all your emotions.”  Motto: “Bring the words to life…”  He is also the proud screenwriter of "Shadow Place.”

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