Check Out Our Team
Paige Gaines
Writer/ Producer
At just 31, Paige Gaines has already made a name for herself nationwide as a sought-after speaker and prominent mental health activist. In 2021, she was given the Young Leader Award by NAMI Georgia for her work as a mental health advocate and pioneer. Paige has also been featured in several well-known publications, including People Digital, Black Enterprise, Stigma Fighters, and the Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinic Journal. With a Bachelor's in Public Relations, she understands the importance of community education and awareness. A two-time suicide survivor diagnosed with bipolar disorder at the age of 22– making her life’s journey full of adversity, strength, and impact. After feeling invisible and without a purpose for the first 24 years of her life, she is now the founder and CEO of 911 Sane Jane, an organization dedicated to providing a voice for the voiceless through education and storytelling. She has led an impressive career as a Certified Peer Specialist, and Mental Health Coach. She discovered her calling at the University of Arkansas while teaching young adults about mental health and recovery. As she facilitated a 300-person workshop she suddenly realized her life’s meaning: to change the lens through which people see their world.
Valeria
Knox
Executive producer
Valeria is an Atlanta native (almost) who wears many hats. While working and raising a family, she obtained a Bachelor’s in Professional Studies with an emphasis in Marketing and a Master’s in Business Administration. After working in the corporate world for over 30 years she decided she was looking for a change. She wanted something more. She wanted to make a difference. Little did she know that all her hard work was preparing her for the perfect career, Real estate! All the demands associated with working in Corporate America enhanced her ability to understand and learn the needs of individuals and families as well as meeting time sensitive deadlines. Real estate has been a rewarding journey so far and she did not want to stop there. Valeria recently merged her passion for mental health, her desire to address issues within the African American Community and to help others with her passion for the Arts by partnering with Paige Gaines and Jamia Tucker to create XOXO, Sane Jane. She hopes you enjoy the show!
Jamia Tucker
Director/actor/acting coach
Jamia Tucker is an Atlanta native, and she graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) with a concentration in performance from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (NC A&T). She is an Actor, Singer and Dancer- "Triple Threat". Her love for theatre is unsurpassed; however, she does not limit her artistry. She enjoys film/tv, music, recording and writing. Her love and passion are equally spread across each leading her to various roles and projects both on and off stage and or camera. Jamia has also broadened her career by serving as the acting coach for Triple 7 Dance Studios, where she was also one of the founding Dance members of this renowned competition dance company. Her love for children and theatre inspired her to become a private acting coach, where she could ensure that children learned the fundamentals of theatre that would allow them to thrive in this competitive market. Along with her artistic loves, Jamia also has a strong passion and connection to mental health. With XOXO, Sane Jane, Jamia adds another layer to her professional repertoire to include not only Acting, and Coaching but also Directing and Associate Producing. Her new roles allow her to utilize all of her talents, share her God given gifts and use the knowledge gained throughout her experiences over the years to bring about awareness to a cause near and dear to her heart. She is thrilled that the time has come and cannot wait for you to see what we have been working so hard on- Enjoy the show!
Latoya Nelson
stage manager, Actor
Toya M. Nelson is an actress and producer from Baltimore, Maryland. After graduating from North Carolina A&T State University where she received a BFA in Professional Theatre she moved to NY and worked Off Broadway in shows such as "Othello: The Panther". Since moving to Atlanta she has taken her career to new heights, thus working in films like "Selma" and "Bone Deep". Delving further into the film industry Toya began producing with production companies like The Holland Bay in Atlanta and more recently LA based Stony & Yates. Currently you can find her writing, executive producing and starring in "Finesse Queens".
Jayla Tucker
Actor
Jayla is excited to be participating in the debut production of Sane Jane and proud of helping to shed more light on the importance of mental health. She has been involved with theatre since the age of five and has performed in several musical productions that include Zombie Prom, Shrek the Musical, Ragtime, Annie as Annie, and most recently the spring production of In the Heights at the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina. Jayla is from Atlanta, GA and is a graduate of Georgia State University with a BA in Film and Media with a Minor in Theater. She thanks her parents, family and friends.
Taylor Whitehead
actor
T.Rozie is a professional multi-talented performing artist that has trained as a dancer and now embarking in the world of Recording Artist. Born in Decatur, Georgia, Rozie has been dancing since she was in her mother’s womb. With 12 years of training in ballet, tap, and hip hop, and an additional nine years of training in modern, contemporary, and jazz dance, Whitehead is proficient in her artistry. She founded her production company, Lilly’s Vision Productions, named after her late grandmother, and is currently working with Abe Clark of Salt Media Management to find her sound. Writers, like Ricky” Rico” White, have given her the inspiration to expand her writing skills. Her first single “Mess it Up” has been received with new young energy. T.Rozie follows up sample songs “Toxic” “Ak Phunny” and “ Mama Told Me’. Now she is seasoned in the industry for over a year now and ready to share her love for music. T.Rozie is not only a rapper but a singer, songwriter, actor and trained dancer
Robert Walker
actor
Robert J. Walker is an actor, singer and dancer who first began performing at the age of 4. Born and raised in Decatur, Georgia, Robert’s passion for entertaining led to his debut in his school’s musical All That Jazz. Robert continues to share his talents and has performed with different groups around Atlanta and abroad, including the Atlanta Boy Choir, Honor Chorus, HighLeit, Stage One in Action and YEA (Youth Ensemble of Atlanta). Robert has also worked in film and theater with various productions across the city. Notable highlights include TV’s Thunder Force, Disney’s Lion King Jr., Captain America: The Winter Soldier. With a passion for the arts, Robert looks forward to continuing his career in the film and theater industry.
Tameka ruger
actor
Tameka Ruger began her performing arts career at the age of three studying ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, hip-hop, modern, and liturgical dance. Tameka has been involved professionally in the performing arts for several years through dance and acting. She has trained at several reputable dance schools in Georgia namely Triple 7 Dance Studio as well as Spelman College. She has also taken classes at Alvin Ailey and Broadway Dance Center from renowned choreographers. Tameka has utilized her dance and acting skills through the Atlanta Hawks Dance Team, Rhapsody the Musical, Cheesecake Boiz and the Diva Stageplay, The Wiz, tours, television commercials and talk shows. She has also been involved in the pageant world winning several pageants throughout her teenage years. Tameka graduated from Spelman College in 2007 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics. Currently, Tameka is a Realtor®, Dance Instructor, and Choreographer. She is also the owner of Little Stars Dance and Tumbling LLC in which she implements ballet, tap, hip-hop, and tumbling into childcare centers and schools throughout Metro-Atlanta. Performing Arts is a major part of Tameka’s life and she enjoys sharing her talent and teaching the future stars of the world.
marques griffith
actor
Marques Griffith is an actor and comedian from Louisville, Kentucky. He fell in love with acting at the of age 18 while taking theater in college. Acting in many stage-plays throughout his career, Marques found out very early that Theatre was way more rewarding for him than Film. Whether it’s a comedic or dramatic play, Marques has always enjoyed the challenge of playing different types of characters. And being on stage in front of an audience is something that Marques will continue to do. Today, you can find Marques in comedy clubs performing stand-up in Atlanta, Georgia.