Board Members
Jenelva Carter, Secretary, Historian, ActOne Co-Program Manager
Jenelva Carter is a recent theatre arts graduate of the University of the Incarnate Word. During her collegiate years, she worked as an assistant director/and writer for Oral Roberts University’s community theatre troupe Harvest, as stage manager for the productions of Oklahoma! and Pygmalion (Reader’s Theatre), and as props master for TRG’s first season. Her recent acting credits include: Beneatha Younger in A Raisin in the Sun, Young Annabelle/Linda in The Magic Act, Beauty/Amiga Gringa in In the Blood and Hippolyta in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. In the spring of 2004 her first one-act play Lorraine’s Stranger was chosen for TRG’s ActOne Series. In her spare time she enjoys singing karaoke (at top of her lungs!), playing the violin and salsa dancing (ole!). In the future she plans to continue acting and directing.
Martha Elizabeth Saenz Buchanan, M.Ed.
Martha has an unyielding passion for theatre, has enjoyed over twenty-eight years performing in different venues throughout San Antonio, and firmly believes that God-given talent, ambition, and determination should not be ignored, or dismissed, but should be encouraged and mentored. She is a proactive mother, creative writer, effervescent actress, tireless volunteer, and deeply involved in the San Antonio community. Recently, she has started her first year of UIL Adjudicator for one-act plays, and is looking forward to offering constructive criticism to the next generation of San Antonio performers. In her work with the renaissance guild, Martha hopes to increase community support and funding resources as well as encourage overall participation in upcoming TRG productions.
Leanna Rodgers, Development Committee Member
Leanna relocated in August, 2004 to San Antonio from her home town of Long Beach, California, where she worked on stage, film and television throughout So. California, performing in such venues as Long Beach Playhouse (Smash, Lady Windermere’s Fan), Costa Mesa Playhouse (Lend Me A Tenor), Newport Theatre Arts Center (The Constant Wife), Garden Grove Playhouse (Picnic), Huntington Beach Playhouse (Noises Off), and other productions, most notably Five Women Wearing the Same Dress and Brighton Beach Memoirs. Ms. Rodgers obtained her B.A. Degree in Theatre Arts, Performance & Directing from California State University, Long Beach. Since arriving in San Antonio, Leanna had her San Antonio directorial and acting debut at the JumpStart Theater in The Renaissance Guild’s ActOne Series and in the spring of 2005, she portrayed a WWII Women Airforce Service Pilot in the San Pedro Playhouse production of Sky Girls. In January 2005, she was honored to be voted on as a Board Member of The Renaissance Guild. Ms. Rodgers currently performs as vocalist with San Antonio based Pseudo Buddha, was lead vocalist for a salsa band, in Los Angeles/Orange County clubs, and is trained in jazz and classical voice. She is currently working on her newest CD, as singer-songwriter with local producers. Ms. Rodgers can be heard at: www.myspace.com/leanna
Sharon Renee’ Shepherd, Development Director
Sharon Renee’ Shepherd is a San Antonio native who began participating in theatre in 1996 while a freshman at Brackenridge High School. In 2005 she graduated from the University of the Incarnate Word with a B.A. in Journalism. Later that year she became involved with The Renaissance Guild when she was cast as Beneatha Younger in A Raisin in the Sun. This role earned her an ATAC award for Supporting Actress in a Drama. Through her involvement with TRG, Sharon has been able to act, write and direct for the stage and she currently serves as the organization’s Development Committee Chair
Tony Campbell
Eric Platt
Paul Riddle, Jr., President/Publicity Director/Founder
Danielle King, Treasurer/Founder
Advisory Board
Gertrude Baker
Cathie Fry, Development Committee Member
Chris Sampayo
Ann Turner
Darrell Pittman
Antoinette F. Winstead
