Meet the Team
Staff
Caleb Leach – Arts & Ministry Director
Caleb has been working in the Knoxville Theatre world since middle school. He first worked with The Wordplayers in 2012, working backstage and helping build the set for Ragtime. Since then, he has acted in multiple shows such as Footloose and Junie B. Jones in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells, Fiddler on the Roof, and others. He was also Technical Director for The WordPlayers
with The Secret Garden in 2014.
Most recently, Caleb became the Executive Director of Knoxville Christian Arts Ministries, a group he has worked with since high school. He is a part of the new leadership for the Ministry, but the heart of KnoxCAM is a ministry that takes the Gospel outside the walls of the Church through the performing arts. Caleb has a BFA in Theatre Performance from the University of Memphis and an MS in Journalism from the University of Tennessee.
Caleb has worked as a professional actor all over the country on stage and film. Through all his work, one thing has always stayed the same for him: stories have a powerful way of impacting people, and getting to help tell those stories is a gift for people in the Arts. Caleb has spent significant time as a teacher at CAK, where he helped as a Set Designer, Technical Director, and Acting Coach. During this time, he grew a passion for passing on his knowledge and experience to the next generation of artists and helping encourage young artists in their craft.
Caleb is incredibly excited about this new role, where he will develop a place for young people to learn how to tell stories and ask the questions needed to become good storytellers. He is also
excited to learn more about The WordPlayers Community and hear what stories they want to see told for the Knoxville Community.
Charity Walton – Marketing Director
Charity Walton is a recent graduate of Flagler College, where she earned her B.A. in Theatre Arts with a Music Minor in May 2025. While at Flagler, she served as Marketing Manager for the Theatre Department, gaining valuable experience she’s thrilled to bring to her work with The WordPlayers.
In Summer 2024, Charity toured the East Coast with Missoula Children’s Theatre, performing Sleeping Beauty: The Musical and sharing the magic of live theatre with young audiences. The following summer, she made her WordPlayers debut as Ellie Blake in Freaky Friday: The Musical—an experience she holds close to her heart.
Charity is passionate about arts education and has taught theatre at Knoxville Children’s Theatre, Missoula Children’s Theatre, and Limelight Theatre. Her recent stage credits include Little Women (Meg March), Noises Off (Brooke Ashton), If/Then (Kate), and Disenchanted (Sleeping Beauty).
She’s incredibly grateful and excited to begin this new chapter with The WordPlayers, and looks forward to growing as both an artist and collaborator with such a meaningful company.
Lucy Wright – Producing Director
Lucy Wright has been involved in theatre quite literally since before she was born — her mother performed in a production while pregnant with Lucy, making the stage Lucy’s first home. A Knoxville native, Lucy remained connected to the theatre scene throughout her upbringing before moving to St. Augustine, Florida, where she earned her BA in Theatre Arts from Flagler College in 2023.
During her time at Flagler, Lucy served as Box Office Manager and was involved in nearly every aspect of production. She stage managed dozens of shows and took on directing responsibilities
as well, most notably for a production of Every Brilliant Thing.
After college, Lucy returned to Knoxville and quickly immersed herself in the theatre community once again, working steadily as a stage manager with multiple theatre companies. In addition to her work in the community, she returned to her alma mater, West High School, where she co-directed and co-choreographed Cinderella in 2024. This year, she is stepping into the director’s role for their production of All Shook Up.
Lucy has been an active member of The WordPlayers since 2019, stage managing a wide range of mainstage productions including The Fantasticks; Hello, Dolly; Footloose; King Lear; Fiddler on the Roof; and Freaky Friday. In December 2024, she made her directorial debut with the company, leading their production of Junie B. in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells.
Now stepping into the role of Production Coordinator, Lucy is incredibly grateful to The WordPlayers for their continued trust and support. She is honored to be taking on this new chapter with a company she’s proud to call home.
Iyanna Huffington – Development Director
Iyanna Huffington is a multidisciplinary performing arts professional whose work bridges artistry, administration, and storytelling. A director, vocalist, educator, and arts leader, she holds an M.F.A. in Theater Management from Yale, where she received the George C. White Prize. Her experience spans Off-Broadway, regional theater, and youth arts organizations, including The New Victory Theater.
As a creative, Iyanna is drawn to stories of faith, resilience, and the human condition. Her work centers artist advocacy and sustainable creative ecosystems.
She is excited to serve as Development Director for The WordPlayers, advancing the company’s God-given mission through fundraising, donor engagement, and strategic development.
Joseph T. Jaynes – Actor/Webmaster
Joe Jaynes has been acting in WordPlayers productions since 2004, and serving as its webmaster since 2012. As an actor, Joe has appeared in 70+ stage, TV, and film productions with production companies throughout the region. He has been married to his wife Kim since 1978; their sons Andy and Alex live in Snohomish, WA and Lucca, Italy respectively.
By day, Joe is Director of Customer Operations for Avilar Technologies, Inc.
Officers
President/Treasurer: Terry Weber
Secretary: Chan Vinson
Directors
Robert Bright
Jenny Bushkell
Tom Cervone
Leann Dickson
Susan Korngay
Cheryl Masur
Paul Pardue
Tomi Robb
Ron Turner
Limitless Williams
Sheri Lynn Younkin