Providing young people of all abilities endless opportunities in the performing arts.

Bryann Burgess is excited to co-found the Papa Tank Theatre for Inclusion and to help students of all abilities to pursue what they love! She is a 2012 CarolinaLIFE graduate, has been seen in 14 shows at Town Theatre, and is a crew member at Trader Joe's. She enjoys being a motivational speaker and advocating for people with unique abilities. "You have a story to tell, never give up, we have no limits, and dreams can come true".

She also enjoys reading, swimming, dancing, singing in her church choir, spending time with friends, traveling, and listening to Celtic and country music. Bryann would like to thank Larry, Tonya, the board of directors, and all of the teaching artists for their mentorship. She would also like to thank the students and their parents for their inspiration, and her family for believing in her.

William has built his career on solving business challenges in a wide range of complex environments, including as the Development Director for Conservation Voters and as an Investor Relations Manager at the State Chamber of Commerce. In 2020, he formed a marketing agency called Timothy + Sinclair with the understanding that, as media spaces became increasingly saturated, depth would need to be the bedrock of any successful growth strategy. And, with a team of obsessive creatives and expert marketers, Timothy + Sinclair has been able to make that vision a reality for dozens of organizations.

William currently serves on the board  of the Palmetto Trail and on the Tourism Committee of the Orangeburg County Chamber of Commerce.

Tonya is from Greenwood, SC, where she graduated from Greenwood High School and received a B.S. in Biological Sciences from Lander University. Before joining the team at Papa Tank Theatre for Inclusion, she worked in non-profit wildlife rehabilitation and conservation. She and her husband, Bernard, live in Blythewood and have two young children: Ayden and Asher. It has been an honor and pleasure being a part of the Papa Tank team’s vision in creating more inclusive performing arts opportunities.

Larry grew up in Greenwood SC, graduating from Greenwood High School in 1978, has a BA in English from Clemson University and an MFA in Directing from the University of Georgia. He has performed in over 100 shows, directed over 200 productions and has held administrative positions with the Arts Center of Kershaw County, Columbia Children’s Theatre, SC Arts Commission, Columbia City Ballet, Nickelodeon Theatre and Trustus Theatre.

He has served on many non-profit boards including City Center Partnership, One Columbia for Arts and Culture, Sherwood Forest Neighborhood Association, SC Gay and Lesbian Business Guild, Midlands Arts Conservatory and Congaree Vista Guild. He is proud to be a co-founder of Papa Tank Theatre for Inclusion.

Mary Kessler brings 25 years of management, fundraising and development experience in non-profit organizations. Her past positions include; Development Manager of the American Heart Association in Rochester, Executive Director of the Connecticut Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, NY, and most recently, the Executive Director of the Lourie Center for Older Adults in Columbia, SC. 

Mary is a graduate of Michigan State University with BA degree in Psychology and graduate work in Labor and Industrial Relations. She is active with the Columbia Museum of Art where she serves as a docent and on the Docent Board of Directors. 

Born and raised in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, she presently lives in Columbia, SC.

Laura was born and raised in South Carolina. A CPA at a local firm, in her spare time she loves doing yoga and spending time with her niece and nephew. She is excited to be a board member for Papa Tank because she thinks the sense of community it provides is so important. She's already met so many amazing people!

Sara Betenbaugh is thrilled to be involved in Papa Tank as it combines two of her favorite things: theatre (she is a big fan of musicals) and working with individuals in the disability community! Sara is a waiver case manager trainer with Bright Start, giving her the lovely opportunity to help individuals and their families get services through DDSN.

Sara previously volunteered with adults with unique abilities in Seattle and loves maintaining relationships with those friends. She also volunteers as a Guardian ad Litem with Richland County; specifically serving and advocating for foster youth with unique abilities. Sara is passionate about true inclusion, accessibility and loves to see "Papa Tankers" thrive in the arts and in our community!

Dr. David Kulbersh is proud to join the Papa Tank Board to support and to express his love, respect, and admiration of the life and work of his special relationship of over 35 years with the co-founder of Papa Tank, Bryann Burgess.

Dr. Kulbersh is the founding partner of Lexington Women's Care and delivered over 4,000 babies in his career as an OB/Gyn. One of his most special deliveries was Bryann Burgess! Dr. Kulbersh transitioned from his medical practice in 2012 to pursue his work with his national medical laboratory testing business, Kulbersh Health Screening Services.

He serves on numerous community and national boards in his desire to make a better, kinder, and more inclusive world. He and his wife of 53 years, Jane, enjoy spending as much time as possible together and with their two children, their spouses, and their five grandchildren while exploring the world through their love of travel.

Alison Trotter is from Columbia, SC and she is a creative that thrives in collaboration with others through the sharing of written works, music, and poetry. As a former music teacher, she holds community singing, movement and dance as a sacred space. She is a proud Mother of two beautiful children and a happy wife to Tyler Trotter. Her family is passionate about sharing musical anthems of hope, faith and joy in their community. They feel deeply honored to be a part of Papa Tank Theatre for Inclusion.

Jennifer Aplin is an attorney for the state of South Carolina whose job focuses on training and education. She is a former teacher of students with unique abilities. She majored in theatre at Presbyterian College and joined the Papa Tank board to do what she can to make sure everyone has a chance to be a part of theatre.

I am Nekita Marlin, born in the Commonwealth of Dominica and raised in New Jersey; but have called South Carolina home for the last 15 years. I am a wife and mother and have dedicated my life to education and nurturing the potential of others. I'm excited to bring my passion and experiences to Papa Tank and look forward to the positive impact we'll make together.

Katie Alice Walker has led a career in public relations and marketing working with several local and statewide arts and non-profit organizations. She and her husband, Drew, have three young children: Andrew, Alice Rushton, and Jayne.

Jayne was born with a diagnosis of Down syndrome in 2018, which led to Katie Alice's desire to find and grow opportunities for people of all abilities in the Midlands, including Papa Tank. In addition to her work with Papa Tank, Katie Alice serves as a board member for Prisma Health Children's Hospital Midlands and as an advisory board member for the Salvation Army of the Midlands.

She is an active member of Eastminster Presbyterian Church and spends much of her time volunteering at A.C. Moore Elementary, where her children attend school.

Cindy and her family moved to Columbia in 2003. At the time, she was working for BellSouth (later AT&T). During her 32 year career (retired in 2018), she worked on state and federal policy issues.

During her time in Columbia, she has served on the board of directors of EdVenture, SC Telecommunications & Broadband Association, Columbia Urban League, United Way of the Midlands and the Richland Library Friends & Foundation. She was appointed to the Richland Library Board of Trustees in December 2022. She is a recipient of the 2011 Columbia Urban League David Wallace Award and the 2020 United Way of the Midlands Alice Kemp DeWitt Award.

Cindy is an active volunteer with Women in Philanthropy, Always United, Richland Library, Moms Demand Action and Cooperative Ministries VITA program. She is also active at Washington Street UMC, currently serving on Church Council as the Church & Society coordinator and on the Racial Justice Action Team. Cindy is married to Randall Gaston and they have a son, Cole Gaston and a dog, Stella. Fun facts: Cindy enjoys traveling, reading, the Pittsburgh Steelers, Gamecocks Womens basketball, and puttering.

Melissa Swick Ellington taught drama to preschool through high school students for over a decade; she earned a Ph.D. in Educational Theatre from New York University. She has been teaching at Midlands Technical College since 2011, including English, Reading, and College Skills courses. Melissa is thrilled that her family is part of the inclusive Papa Tank community where all gifts and talents are embraced and celebrated!

Robert Ellington is a high school science teacher with the FIVE program of Lexington-Richland School District 5. He enjoys reading, gardening, walking, traveling, and spending time with his family.

Papa Tank gives his children the opportunity to participate in theatre and develop their talents while engaging with others.

Tyler Jones is excited to be a part of the Papa Tank family! After appearing on many Columbia stages, he has turned his attention to behind-the-camera work in film. He’s excited to see the opportunities Papa Tank will bring to the Columbia community.