Our Team
The Warehouse has built a first-class team of theatre professionals, educators, and, quite frankly, really good humans. Our team will love, root for, encourage, push, and guide actors of all ages with loving kindness and honesty. We are passionate about helping actors build their confidence, expand their theatre skillset, find their light on stage, and grow into the best person and actor they can be.
Callison Hopkins
Meet Callison Hopkins – fearless founder and artistic director of The Warehouse Theatre! Those who know her, love her.
With a bachelor's degree in English Education, a master's degree in Education, and as a certified theatre educator, Callison has been teaching since 2014. And she doesn't know life without theatre.
Since she was in preschool, Callison has participated in school and university productions. Eventually, she became an award-winning professional director and assistant director in local schools and community theatres and began working as a private acting coach.
"When I was younger, it was difficult to find my place in a small theatre scene full of big musicals," she shared. "It felt like the same people got the roles over and over and there wasn't room for me. I just want everyone to know, there is a place for you in theatre. And everyone's role, from actor to stage manager to choreographer to theatre tech, is essential."
If you've ever worked with Callison, you have felt the truth to her words.
Callison is dedicated to creating an undeniable atmosphere of empathy, love, and unity with her team at The Warehouse, and she looks forward to working people all across Desoto County and beyond!
We're so pleased to introduce you to our amazing Technical Director and Resident Stage Manager, Emily Katherine Oliver!
Emily is a graduate of the University of Mobile where she obtained a Bachelors of Music in Musical Theatre and a Masters of Music in Vocal Performance. In 2017, Emily signed her first professional contract as a performer at Carey Dinner Theatre in Hattiesburg, MS.
Through the Southeastern Theatre Conference, she was presented with opportunities to travel to New York and Virginia, where she worked at The Rev Theatre Company and Endstation Theatre Company as a box office manager.
Since moving to the Memphis area, Emily has had the pleasure of being a part of production teams at Tipton Rosemark Academy and DeSoto Christian Academy.
She is so excited to work with The Warehouse Theatre, and we are equally excited to be working with her.
Emily Oliver
Carly Whatley
We are so thankful for our incredibly talented and kind Assistant Artistic Director, Carly Whatley. Carly is from Olive Branch and has been a part of theatre in the Midsouth for over 20 years. In 2019, she graduated from Delta State University with her Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education with an endorsement in Vocal Music Education. Since she stepped foot onto stage the age of 7, Carly has been a part of the cast of over 20 shows in DeSoto County and has been on the production team of over 30 shows. Carly has always had a passion for creativity and spends much of her time creating digital as well as physical art. She truly enjoys creating things and helping other people every chance she gets.
Carly has been blessed to receive many awards in her lifetime such as the winner of DeSoto County Idol, Delta State Idol, the Midsouth Fair Youth Talent Contest, The Kix 106 Country Showdown, The Elvis Presley Fan Club Scholarship Competition, The Disney World American Idol Experience, Carnival Cruise Lines Outstanding Vocalist Contest, The National School Choral Hall of Fame, and several Allie Awards for best leading actress in a musical.
Carly is incredibly grateful to be able to share her love for the performing arts with others and hopes that every person she comes across sees that there is a place for them and their strengths in the theatre community.