AMERICUS — The Americus Theater and Cultural Authority has narrowed its search for a new managing director for the Rylander Theatre to three candidates. Those vying for the position are Mandy Fuller, John McCall Jr. and Nancy Jones Stallings. When contacted by the Times-Recorder, none of the candidates had been made aware that they were in the top three for consideration for the job.

Mandy Fuller is a graduate of Georgia Southwestern State University where she obtained a bachelor’s degree in dramatic arts, with a minor in English. She started her career in 2005, working at Americus-Sumter County High School’s South Campus where she worked as a secondary English teacher, before moving into the same role with the Early College program. Fuller is currently employed at Lee County Middle School where she teaches language arts. She has had a long history of working with the community theater. She served on the board of directors for the Sumter Players from 2006-2007, as well as being involved in various positions in 12 plays for Sumter Players. She has also served as the youth theater coordinator for the Sumter Players during the 2006-2007 season, where she was responsible for working with area youth in the Jesters program and youth theater workshops.

Fuller said, “The reason that I applied for the job was because I see how the community has had concerns for the theater.

“I feel as a younger person I can reach both the younger and older perspectives and be able to plan a wide variety of activities and shows.”

John McCall Jr., of Moultrie, is a graduate of Georgia State University where he obtained a bachelor’s of journalism, as well as a master’s in public administration. After his graduation from Georgia State, in 1980, he accepted a position at Winthrop University, Rock Hill, S.C., as director of Placement and Career Planning. While in Rock Hill, McCall set up John Clark McCall Jr. design consultant Inc., a company that he later moved to Hahira, Valdosta and Moultrie. Some of his major interior design projects include work with the Albany Theatre restoration, the Grand Theatre restoration in Moultrie, the Alabama Theatre, Hill Performing Arts Center in Birmingham, Ala., and he played an instrumental part in saving the Fox Theatre in Atlanta.

Aside from interior design, McCall is also an accomplished organist and has served as president of the Atlanta chapter of the American Theatre Organ Society, and has recorded three CDs.

When asked what makes him the best candidate for the director position, McCall said “Out of all the reasons, I love the Rylander, and anyone who is in that role has to have a passion for the place, and all of the things that can be done there.”

Nancy Jones Stallings is a graduate of Valdosta State University where she obtained a degree in political science. From August 2001-May 2007, Stallings served as a teacher at Southland Academy, where she taught social studies to sixth-grade students, and American government to high school seniors. Since 1995, with her mother, Stallings has served as the owner, operator and instructor for the Studio of Performing Arts where, as director, she supervised volunteers for shows throughout the Rylander’s season, while also helping to implement new choreography for the shows. Stallings currently works as an account executive for Six Flags over Georgia and is responsible for the South Georgia and North Florida markets, as well as doing research and identification of major prospects for company sponsored events and consignment accounts.

When contacted about the job, Stallings said, “I’m thrilled to be in consideration for the job. I have a passion for the theater, and I have a lot of great ideas for the Rylander.”

The Authority has yet to schedule any interviews with the candidates for the position. Suzanne Freeman, Authority secretary, said at a recent meeting, “We are looking towards next week to start calling the candidates and starting the interview process.”