ABOUT US

Founder, Artistic Director

Antoinette wishes to create a better understanding of the world and our place in it — a mission which has cast her in many different roles: author, artist, and creative innovator. She has been writing since she was 9. After surviving childhood trauma she was counseled and encouraged by her High School English teacher and mentor, “Write baby girl, write.” That is how she survived High School and graduated #4 from Brackenridge High School in 1988.

Toni, as she is affectionately is referred to by those closest to her is actively involved in her community as the Artistic Director of the newest Multicultural theater company Teatro Anansi. She loves to inspire youth to reach into themselves and tell their stories. She is Lead storyteller for African Folktales. Previously working with The Renaissance Guild on The Divas of Eastwood which she co wrote with her late Partner William Lewis III, The Men of Eastwood as a Co Writer & Creative Director for the Lorraine Hansberry Project in Collaboration with TRG & KLRN in 2018. Toni is presently part of the Teaching Initiative with the Institute of Texan Cultures, as well as continuing to work on the Eastwood Project as the official Historian. She is penning her first book of Short stories & Poetry as well as working on a children's book tackling childhood issues.  Toni is the proud Mother of 2 daughters, and 6 Granddaughters and a host of other children who affectionately refer to her as GiGi.

Founder, Administration

Dianne Yvonne Green brings to her responsibilities as President of DYG Arts Associates, LLC, an arts management consulting firm. She possesses extensive experience in the areas of performing arts presenting, festival and special event production, national arts service consulting, and public radio administration and programming.

Green is the former Program Manager for the Heartland Arts Fund  and Community Connections grant programs of Mid-America Arts Alliance and Arts Mid-West regional arts organizations and past  vice president of programs and marketing for the Madam C. J. Walker Theatre in Indianapolis, Indiana, where she set the main-stage season and the family performing arts series and also managed productions at the historic facility. From 1994-1999, she was education director at the Carver Community Cultural Center in her home town of San Antonio, Texas. At the Carver Center, she established the School of Visual and Performing Arts and the Jazz Legacies Youth Concert Series.

She worked in Washington, D.C., as a producer for WPFM-FM Radio and held positions at The Smithsonian Institution, including work with the Duke Ellington collection, the Program in African American Culture, and the Smithsonian's Festival of American Folk-Life.

Founder, Director of Programs & Administration

Charles Gentry is a versatile educator and consultant for local artists, community organizations, and small businesses. He has taught high school and college level arts, culture, and computer application courses, and was a curator and theater manager at the Flint Institute of Arts in Michigan. A San Antonio native, Charles also enjoys being actively involved as a Certified Tourism Ambassador, World Heritage Ambassador, high school lacrosse coach, and community volunteer.