Our Team
Jacob F. Morris, M.A. | Executive Director
Jacob is a singer, actor, and director. He received his undergraduate degree from Spring Hill College and carries a Master of Arts in Musical Theatre from the University of Mobile. Jacob’s regional theatre directing credits include: The Addams Family, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Disney's The Little Mermaid, CLUE, and currently The Wizard of Oz.
He has performed regionally in The Play that Goes Wrong (South Regional Premiere), Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (EverBlue Arts), and at OWA Parks and Resort. Jacob performed in the original cast of The Do Not Sing List at 54 Below in New York, NY. He is also the Artistic Director of Bay Area Performing Arts, a pre-professional youth theatre academy.
Jacob is proud to have built this team over the years, and so grateful to work with this wonderful family.
Malinda Powers, M.A. | Artistic Associate
Malinda Powers, hailing from Chipley Florida, is a proud graduate of University of Mobile, where she earned both a Master of Arts in musical theatre and a Bachelor of Music in musical theatre. She has taught classes, developed camps, and directed educational theatre productions across the Gulf Coast since 2019. Malinda is currently a voice instructor at Bay Area Performing Arts. She is an adjunct faculty member and head of costuming at The University of Mobile.
Michael Seward | Artistic Associate
Michael is a performer and producer based on the Gulf Coast. His credits include: Radio City Christmas Spectacular starring The Rockettes (2017-2021)- Radio City Musical Hall/Madison Square Garden (NYC); Big Band Beat-Tokyo Disney Sea; Junie B. Jones (Nat. Tour)-Theaterworks USA; Norwegian Cruise Lines-Spirit/Sun-(Caribbean, Alaska, Baltics); Holland America Line-Oosterdam/Koningsdam-(Mediterranean, Alaska)-RWS; Hersheypark-Matt Davenport Productions; Darien Lake Theme Park and Resort-RWS Entertainment Group (NYC); A Chorus Line, White Christmas, Smokey Joe’s Cafe, Avenue Q- Midtown Arts Center; Annie Get Your Gun, Smokey Joe’s Cafe, Aladdin, Crazy For You-Central Piedmont Summer Theater; Rent-Red Mountain Theater Company; The Wild Party-Virginia Samford Theater; Cats-Amish Acres; Aida, Songs For A New World, Rent-Joe Jefferson Players; The Little Mermaid-Orange Beach Performing Arts Center; West Side Story, The Sound of Music, Snoopy, 1940’s Radio Hour, Honk!, Guys and Dolls, Merrily We Roll Along-(Regional); , National Title Holder : FameUS w/ Debbie Allen, Starpower; NATS 1st Place Title Holder : Musical Theater, Classical; Nationals Judge : Universal Miss Pageant, Arizona Cinderella. Workshops/BGV’s - HAL, Azamara, Hersheypark w/ Melanie Lewis, John Charon, Al Blackstone, Richard Hinds, Shannon Lewis; Choreography: Rent (JJP), Matilda, Percy Jackson, Children of Eden, It’s a Theater Thing 4.0/5.0- Bay Area Performing Arts. Design/Production for OWA Parks and Resort: A Very Madd Tea Party, WONDER, I Want Candy, Monsters Got Talent, The 2021 Tree Lighting Ceremony, Mrs. Claus’ Crafty Christmas, The Tinsel Tones, Holiday Express: A Christmas Spectacular, Sweet Treat’s with Mrs. Claus, Queen of the Night : A Dragstravaganza!, One Sweet Day, Splash Dance, Dancing Jesters, & Mermaids. Michael is the Owner/Artistic Director of Seward Studios.
Justin Gipson, M.M. | Artistic Associate
Justin is a technical theatre specialist and A&R producer. Justin toured extensively in the southeast with an a capella gospel music ensemble, Elements of Difference. Various standout credits include performances with the Vivace Program, the Alliance Theater in Atlanta Georgia, recording projects in Nashville TN and Atlanta, GA, and collaborations with churches throughout the southeast. He currently serves as the Choral Director and Music Tech Production teacher at Alma Bryant High School. In 2022, he earned his Master’s Degree in Music Education from the University of South Alabama.
Having worked at almost every level with technical professionals in various industries, he believes that each and every event is unique, and requires attention to varying details to support the developing vision of clients. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to event technology, and without experienced management at the helm, organizations often waste hard-earned funding trying to find the ‘holy grail’, which can only be found with the proper application of technology and personnel.
Whether it’s music direction, AVL consulting, technical work, or organizational strategy, Justin Gipson is equipped with the most up-to-date training and experience to meet the needs of any production or event.
Hannah Grace Smith, B.F.A. | Artistic Associate
Originally from Pensacola, FL, Hannah Grace Smith is a recent graduate of the University of Mobile, where she received her Bachelors of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre Performance. Regional credits include work with Seward Studios, OWA, and the Hub City Players. University credits include Jerusha Abbott in Daddy Long Legs, Beth March in Little Women, Shelby in The Spitfire Grill, and Margo/Alice US in Bright Star. Hannah Grace currently works as the Theatre Director at St. Luke’s Episcopal School, where she teaches Theatre to 6th-12th grade students. Hannah Grace is a Society of American Fight Directors Actor Combatant and is certified in stage combat for Unarmed, Knife, Quarterstaff, and Rapier and Dagger. She is also an Academy Instructor at Bay Area Performing Arts, where she teaches private voice to K-12 students.
Liam Searcy, B. F. A. | Artistic Associate
Liam Searcy is an actor/composer/theatre educator best known for his work in the film Harriet and the Broadway Tour of Pretty Woman The Musical. From various films, tours, one cruise ship and many stages Liam has been blessed to work with names such as Cynthia Erivo, Michael Mayer, Hunter Foster, and Megan McGinnis. His journey as a composer has landed his original musicals in 54 Below and theaters across the country.