2026 Brave the Stage

Announcing the twelve brave souls set to perform at Brave the Stage on November 13th at The Clyde Venue. The event raises funds for our Pay What You Can Camp Scholarship Program, allowing families to pay what they can for summer theatre camp and is hosted by award winning author Jessica Leigh Lebos! The 2026 Brave the Stage performers come from every stretch of our community. They include Shaylyn Mackey, co-founder of Big Chick Energy Comedy; Jessica Leavitt Ouattara and Taylor Cook, with Jessica founding Clem Consulting; Clinton Edminster, owner of Water’s Cafe and Starlandia Reclaimed Art Supply; Bettie and Michelle Negley, longtime theatre in Savannah supporters; Local Erika, Lowcountry content creator; Christopher Ridley, SCAD career advisor; Sunny Girardeau, artist and advocate; Amy Knussman, math educator with SCCPSS; Liz Walker, board member of Tybee Post Theater and dancer with Tybee Ballet Company; and Susan Daggett of the Unitarian Universalist Church. Their acts range from musical theatre and a cat duet to original music, a theatricalized op-ed, a staged reading of a murder mystery, and a comedy routine! The performers are coached by a team of Savannah theatre professionals. Mentors include Jason Kraack, musician and composer; August Starling, filmmaker and actor; Shawna Peña-Downing, SSC actor, director, and choreographer; Emily Gates, SCAD MFA alum; Maggie Lee Hart, actor, educator, and designer; McKenna Lyons, longtime SSC member; Sheila Berg, an Historic Savannah Theatre staple on stage; Lexi Balaoing, SSC associate artistic director; and Rahul Menon, Gulfstream engineer and improvisor with Front Porch Improv. Get you tickets now and help these brave folks As they support Savannah Stage Company!