BJ’s background includes being a School Superintendent, Graduate/Undergraduate level instructor, Deputy Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, Human Resources in Support of Instruction, Manager, Early Childhood Education, Assistant Superintendent of curriculum and Instruction/Director of Federal and State Programs, Teacher and has a PHD in Curriculum Development/Educational Administration.

Louisa has worked in Hospitality Management, Law Enforcement, Promotional Exams/Qualifications, Community Engagement within Police, and an Assistant in Elementary School. Within Law Enforcement Louisa has worked as Staff Sergeant, Professional Development Unit Sergeant, Intervention Response/Custody Sergeant and Police Constable.

Bree Shannon is an alumnae of the Atlanta Workshop Players and the amazing, life-changing, impactful AWP Tour Company. With over 20 years of entertainment experience, she recently retired from Carnival Cruise Lines where she traveled all over the world and performed as a featured vocalist and dancer in their main stage production shows. She is currently a vocal teacher and works with local bands and productions in the city. She has recently been appointed as the founding drama teacher for a new charter school called Atlanta SMART Academy, where they focus on math, science and the arts. Bree has several commercial, voice-over, on-camera acting and theatre credits and is a member of the Actor’s Equity Association and SAG/AFTRA.

Bree loves sharing what she has learned and experienced. Even as a professional she is continually training to improve her own skills and abilities, and working to maintain knowledge of all the different acting techniques. She is very excited to be teaching at the place she’s always considered HOME. So happy to be back AWP!

John Nuckolls, Jr. is an Atlanta native who graduated from Mercer University with a degree in business administration. He joined a start-up medical company as an initial investor where he worked for three years before its sale. He then attended Cumberland School of Law in Birmingham before returning to Atlanta to practice as a partner in the law firm of Nuckolls & Nuckolls. He is married to Sonya Nuckolls and has one daughter, Arianna. Due to Arianna’s filming and travel obligations, John wound down the practice but remains active with the State Bar.  It was through Arianna’s passion for acting that John and Sonya were introduced to AWP through enrolling her in its 2018, summer acting camp.  Ever since, the entire family’s support and commitment toward AWP only continue to grow.

Speaker, Author, Mentor Coach

John Alan has helped organizations like the US Army, Pfizer, Ron Blue & Co., The ScreamFree Institute, Columbia Sportswear, New Dramatists, State Farm, Cox Cable, North Point Ministries International, and six of the ten fastest-growing churches in America. 

He has nine books and three daughters, and lives in the heart of Atlanta, GA. He likes jazz, baseball, and cooking — though not necessarily in that order. For more than 20 years, his passion has been helping people take their lives to the next level -- no matter how successful they already are -- in the areas that matter most: their businesses, their relationships, families, careers, and spiritual lives.

He’s been honored to help people from 40 different states and 10 different countries transform their lives and their businesses through live events, books, and personal coaching. John has been fortunate enough to work with everyone from presidents to pastors, but his work is not limited to megachurch leaders and CEOs.

He has a special passion for non-profits, parents, and students. In short, he helps leaders lead better.

Sonya Nuckolls grew up in Mobile, Alabama where she graduated The University of South Alabama with a degree in broadcast journalism. She went on to earn a Juris Doctorate from The University of Alabama. Sonya moved to Atlanta in 2005 and is employed as a staff attorney with The U.S. Federal Court.  She is married to John Nuckolls, Jr. and has one daughter, Arianna. It was through Arianna’s passion for acting that Sonya and John were introduced to AWP through enrolling her in its 2018, summer acting camp.  Ever since, the entire family’s support and commitment toward AWP only continue to grow. 

Producer, director Casting Consultant, On-Set Acting Coach and experienced Talent Manager in TV/Film. 

Lynn began as a professional dancer, studying with Luigi and the Martha Graham Company in New York City. Lynn has taught at the Dance Theatre Workshop, the Alliance Theatre and is the Founder and Executive Director of THE ATLANTA WORKSHOP PLAYERS professional training program and production company. She and her husband, Don are published playwrights and have written and produced 23 successful, family musicals. Lynn is a Network Television On-Set Acting Coach and master teacher, as well as being a television, theatrical, commercial and voice over talent. She has performed in over 100 commercials, television shows, radio dramas and enjoyed the thrill of performing with elephants. She is an experienced Talent Manager and has been instrumental in launching many careers in film, television, and on Broadway. Lynn holds degrees in Psychology and Secondary Education, graduating Magna Cum Laude.