Executive Director

Jennifer Douglas, Executive Director
Jennifer Douglas has over 30 years of experience with children’s theatre and has dedicated the past 20 years to the nonprofit sector, creating and developing numerous programs that serve the children and youth of her community. Actively involved since 2007, Jennifer has a long history with New Day. She has directed and choreographed for Saturday Playhouse, Victoria’s Summer Stock, Page Robbins Players, and several summer camps. When not teaching, she was heavily involved behind the scenes with productions and coordinating fundraising events.
Jennifer is the Director of Elementary and Middle School Theatre at Briarcrest Christian School and the Director of SNAP, a community outreach program for children at Collierville United Methodist Church. Jennifer studied early childhood education and special education at the University of Memphis where she also served as an advocate, tutor, and mentor for students with disabilities. She received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of North Alabama and has had the honor of caring for the critically ill for over a decade. She has seen firsthand how precious life is and encourages us all to make a difference and make it count.
Board of Directors
ASHLEY MORGAN
JAMIE BACCUS
LIZ DAMSKI EMMENDORFER
SAM GIBSON
LYDIA HART
RAY KE
ANNA PEPPER
MANUEL ZAVALA
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Founder
Leanne Chasteen founded New Day Children’s Theatre in 2006 and was named Executive Director and CEO in 2015 after running the nonprofit for nine years as a volunteer. After nearly 15 years of managing the day-to-day operations and growth of New Day, Leanne retired in 2020 to spend time with her family and enjoy being LeLe to her two beautiful granddaughters, Lucy and London. She will continue to remain an ambassador and advocate for New Day and it will forever have a special place in her heart.
Leanne is a graduate of Collierville High School. She married her high school sweetheart, Darian Chasteen. They have been married 33 years and have 2 grown children, Ashley and Spencer. Leanne is a graduate of Baptist School of Nursing and Memphis State University and continues to work part-time as a registered nurse at East Memphis Surgery Center.

Leanne Chasteen, Founder