About Rome Shakespeare Festival

Gail Deschamps, founder of the Rome Shakespeare Festival, boasted a rich and diverse background in the world of theater. Formerly the Artistic Director of Florida Shakespeare Festival and GMT Productions, a national touring theater company, Gail directed numerous acclaimed Shakespearean plays, including Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Hamlet, Much ado About Nothing and Twelfth Night. Her librettos for Two Gentlemen of Verona and Lewis and Clark garnered rave reviews and received US touring grants. As an actress, Gail graced the stages of esteemed theaters across the country, from The Coconut Grove Playhouse in Miami to the St. Louis Muny Opera. A recipient of an Individual Artist Grant from the Georgia Arts Council and a former Georgia Artist in Education, Gail's profound talent, vision, and dedication laid the cornerstone for the Rome Shakespeare Festival. With a passion for bringing the magic of Shakespeare to diverse communities, Gail's unwavering commitment to accessibility and artistic excellence became the driving force behind the festival's inception. Through her tireless work and innovative spirit, she transformed her vision into reality, creating a beloved cultural institution that continues to inspire and captivate audiences to this day. “We are such stuff as dreams are made on, and our little life is rounded with a sleep.” -William Shakespeare

As the Artistic Director of the Rome Shakespeare Festival and an Associate Professor of Theatre at Shorter University, Drew is dedicated to making theatre universally accessible while fostering a thriving local arts community. Joan Littlewood's vision captures his philosophy: "Each community should have a theatre; the West End (or Broadway) has plundered our talent and diluted our ideas; cannot each district afford to support a few artists who will give them back some entertainment, laughter, and love of mankind?" He believes that professional artists should be accessible to local audiences, breaking the conventional hierarchy to transform the theatre experience. Drew has taught and directed at the University of Southern Mississippi, the University of Kentucky, Northern Kentucky University, and Transylvania University. As a Lessac Voice Practitioner, he has guided Broadway stars and international scholars in dialects. He has also been proud to help establish a playwriting project at the Eastern Kentucky Correctional Center, providing inmates with a creative outlet. Additionally, he championed the Supported Higher Education Project (SHEP) at NKU, creating opportunities for differently-abled students passionate about the arts. These efforts embody his belief that theatre has a place for everyone. Reviving Shakespeare in the Park in Lexington, Kentucky, and introducing it to rural Rockcastle County enabled communities to embrace this art form by making professional theatre accessible to all. This initiative provided a vibrant cultural experience where audiences could enjoy the timeless works of Shakespeare in an outdoor setting. In Rockcastle County, it was especially transformative, as the community had never experienced such a program before. Drew’s innovative research at the University of Southern Mississippi, which focused on using Viola Spolin's improvisation techniques to overcome performance anxiety, earned him an induction into the Graduate Student Hall of Fame. This research was taught and applied to nursing students within the College of Nursing and Health Professions, illuminating new ways to help performers and healthcare professionals build confidence and achieve authenticity. Known for facilitating and collaborating, Drew leads through "yes, and" to co-create impactful theatre. His expertise includes stage combat and Shakespeare fundamentals, while his pursuit of intimacy training certification ensures that theatre remains a safe, creative space. He envisions the Rome Shakespeare Festival as a model that challenges assumptions about free, professional theatre while inspiring performers to lead with altruism and innovation. Ultimately, he believes there's a place for everyone in the theatre. Away from the festival, Drew enjoys staying active at the gym, swimming, traveling, reading, watching movies, and honing his pickleball and chess skills. A skiing accident that broke his back nearly robbed him of the ability to walk and profoundly shifted his perspective. Spending time bedridden gave him the opportunity to rethink his priorities, moving away from the pursuit of credits for personal fulfillment. Instead, Drew realized the significance of using theatre as a means to uplift others and bring communities together. With this new outlook, he’s energized by mentoring his students and building the Rome Shakespeare Festival into a pioneering example of how professional theatre can be a transformative force that connects and inspires.

Julie McCluskey's journey through life has been as diverse as the characters she's portrayed on stage. Hailing from the scenic landscapes of Tennessee, she cultivated her passion for the arts at Girls' Preparatory School in Chattanooga before embarking on an enriching theatrical experience at Lee University, where she earned her Bachelor's Degree in Theatre. It was during her time in Lexington, Kentucky, that Julie's love affair with outdoor theater and the timeless works of William Shakespeare truly blossomed. Immersed in the vibrant energy of the city's Shakespeare Festival, she discovered a profound connection to the magic of open-air performances. Originally drawn to Rome, Georgia in 2016 by her husband's career in higher education, she felt fortunate to discover a thriving arts community. Here, she crossed paths with Gail Deschamps, the visionary founder of the Rome Shakespeare Festival. Embracing her newfound artistic home, Julie dove headfirst into the world of the festival, bringing her talents both on and off the stage. From captivating audiences with her performances to diligently managing the festival's operations, Julie's dedication knew no bounds. In January 2022, Julie embarked on a new chapter as she assumed the role of Executive Director of the Rome Shakespeare Festival, alongside the esteemed Artistic Director, Drew Davidson. Together, they embarked on a mission to curate an unforgettable season of productions that resonated deeply with the Rome and Floyd County community. Driven by a shared belief in the transformative power of the arts, Julie and Drew tirelessly championed the festival's commitment to accessibility by continuing its tradition of offering free professional outdoor performances on the Town Green. Their vision extends beyond mere entertainment; they aspire to elevate the Rome Shakespeare Festival into a beacon of artistic excellence, enriching the cultural landscape of Northwest Georgia and beyond. Julie’s journey is a testament to the profound impact of passion, dedication, and the enduring magic of Shakespearean theater.

Known for her lush and warm voice, Ms. Thomas has performed at many of the world class opera houses and venues, such as the Metropolitan Opera and the Vienna State Opera; she has performed at prominent venues here in the US, France, Germany, Spain and England, including the Royal Albert Hall and Carnegie Hall. Among numerous top orchestras with which she has appeared are the New York Philharmonic, the London Symphony and Leipzig’s Gewandhaus Orchestra – as well as leading orchestras in Paris, Spain, Brazil, the Netherlands, Japan, Finland, South Korea, Malaysia, and Abu Dhabi. Ms. Thomas has graced several famous music festivals such as the Bregenz Festspiele in Bregenz, Austria, Chorégies, d’Orange in France and the Proms Summer Festival in London. Her movie credits are “The Upside” and the Academy Award-winning film “Driving Miss Daisy”. She was Emmy nominated for her performance of the “Porgy and Bess Suite” on the New Year’s Eve Broadcast Live from Lincoln Center; Grammy Nominated for her recording of Michael Tippett’s “A Child Of Our Time” with the London Symphony Orchestra and multiple Off- Broadway nominated opera Intimate Apparel. Ms. Thomas is from Atlanta, Georgia. She has a BM from Shorter College and an Artistic Diploma from the prestigious Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia. She serves as Artist in Residence in Voice at Berry College in Rome, GA.

Susan has been a professional performer, teacher, director and vocal/theatre coach for over 15 years. She earned her BS in Music Education at West Chester University of Pennsylvania where she was also chosen as an Irene Ryan scholarship semi-finalist. She earned her MFA in Musical Theatre Performance from the prestigious Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. Susan has performed professionally in various cities such as New York City, Philadelphia, Cincinnati, and Tacoma. Favorite roles include Roxanne in Cyrano: The Musical, Florence Vassy in Chess, Mother in Ragtime, Eva Peron in Evita and Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors. She trained with Sara Louise Lazarus, (New York City) Paul Gemignani, Victor Garber, (Manhattan School of Music PMTW) and Dona Vaughn and Maitland Peters (Manhattan School of Music NYC), among others. Before moving to GA, Susan spent 8 years teaching, coaching and directing young adults in the Tacoma/Seattle area. Susan also writes and performs cabarets which she has performed or directed in Cincinnati and the Seattle area. Susan’s very favorite roles however, are being the wife of her wonderful husband and mother to her amazing daughter

Levi Burdick is from Ft. Lauderdale, Fl. and is a professional actor in Atlanta, GA. A Summa Cum Laude graduate of Shorter University, Levi has traveled the world as a businessman, corporate host, and entertainer. His acting career began on the stage and he has brought to life many iconic roles like Brick Politt in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Captain Jack Ross from A Few Good Men, Bogey from Play It Again, Sam and a powerful performance as Dracula in Bram Stoker's Dracula. While the call of a live audience will always keep Mr. Burdick returning to the stage, the power of telling a story on the big screen took him to Atlanta where the booming film industry has offered new opportunities in film, television, print modeling and commercial work. Along with several guest and supporting roles in various shows, Levi has also played lead roles in high quality independent productions across the southeast. His intensity on camera and extreme professionalism have made him a casting director's dream and a favorite in the Atlanta film community. Five nominations for Best Actor on the stage and a 2012 Atlanta 48 Hour Film project nomination for Best Actor (among 95 films) have demonstrated that his skill on the set is only surpassed by his charisma and charm. Mr. Burdick can be seen on the big screen in the Reese Witherspoon feature The Good Lie (2014) and on the ID Discovery Channel shows, Fatal Encounters, Bloodlands, and Your Worst Nightmare. Signed with Atlanta's number one talent agency, The People Store, Levi continues to perform and entertain across the country.

Aundi was named Downtown Development Director for Rome, GA in August of 2020. She discovered her passion for economic development and supporting small businesses when she joined the City of Carrollton as Main Street Director. During her tenure, over 20 new businesses opened in the historic district, 65 new jobs were created and over $10 million in public-private investment was made in Downtown Carrollton. She earned her degree in Business Management from the University of West Georgia. She graduated from the Georgia Academy of Economic Development in 2017 and received her Downtown Development Authority training certificate in 2018. Aundi is a graduate of the Chamber of Commerce Leadership Rome Class of XXXVIII. She plans to continue her training in economic development to support and grow Rome's vibrant downtown.