Check Out Fracena Byrd’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Fracena Byrd.

Hi Fracena, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
To start me at the beginning would be to start as a little girl in the church choir, but let’s fast forward. I graduated from Spelman College with a degree in theatre, and immediately started performing in every theatre in the Atlanta area that I could. I’ve worked teaching health awareness in an educational theatre program, for a touring puppet company, and on stages all over the state, and even out of state.

Along the way, I married, and became a mother. Traveling far and wide to perform got harder.

I was eventually hired by the Academy Theatre to be their Marketing Director (and continued to perform), and while there, I was promoted to Associate Artistic Director. I also took on a couple of drama teaching jobs, including for Town Square Playhouse in Fayetteville.

In 2021, the owner of Town Square Playhouse told me that she was looking to retire, and I was just the person she was looking for.

That is how I became the Owner and Artistic Director of Town Square Playhouse.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t always been a smooth road. One of the biggest challenges has been balancing life as both a parent and a theatre professional. The reality is that theatre hours aren’t always family-friendly—rehearsals and performances often fall during evenings and weekends, the same time families need each other most. On top of that, many theatres, whether intentionally or not, can put parents at a disadvantage when it comes to casting, because the industry tends to favor people with flexible, open schedules. Learning to navigate that has been an ongoing challenge.

As a theatre owner, another struggle has been choosing shows that strike the right balance: stories that connect with our patrons and community while also offering new experiences that expand horizons. It’s a delicate mix—meeting people where they are, but also inviting them to discover something they may not have expected to love.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I wear a lot of hats in the theatre world—I act, sing, direct, and teach—but what I’m most passionate about is education. I teach musical theatre for all ages, along with dance classes and private lessons in singing and acting. What I’m most proud of is the theatre education program we’ve built. It isn’t just about performing—we give students the chance to learn every aspect of theatre, from being on stage to working behind the scenes with tech and stage management.

What really sets us apart is the welcoming environment we’ve created. We open the door to performers of all levels, whether they’ve been training for years or stepping on stage for the first time. We also make a point to include and support children with special needs, because theatre should be for everyone. Watching students gain confidence, grow in their skills, and find joy in storytelling is the heart of what I do.

Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
I feel very blessed to truly love what I do. Theatre has given me so much, and it’s a joy to share that with others through both performance and education. My hope is that people will give us a chance down here in Fayetteville—to come experience theatre on the south side of Atlanta. We’re building something special for our community, and we’d love for more people to be part of it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.townsquareplayhouse.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/townsquareplayhouse
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/townsquareplayhouse
• Twitter: https://x.com/townsquareplays

Image Credits
Headshot by Dawn Pickford Photography