Meet The Staff

Ty Autry

Executive Director
& Founder

After growing up in the Deep South, where his love of engineering, marketing, and storytelling first developed, Ty (he/they) went to Atlanta to pursue a degree in Electrical Engineering at Georgia Tech. While there, Ty was an active member of DramaTech Theatre and used the space to express himself to grow as a performer. After graduating summa cum laude, Ty decided to become an apprentice at Georgia Ensemble Theatre to pursue his dream of performing even further. He then spent a few years in New York City, graduated from Atlantic Acting School, and joined the faculty at that conservatory for some years to teach Website Design & Digital Branding for Creatives. It was in New York where they learned to unleash their full creative potential as a playwright and producer of bold queer works. Since then, Ty is proud to call Atlanta home and has written multiple plays. Two of which, A Southern Fairytale and At Birth, have toured North America, Europe, and Australia.

Board of Directors

  • David Starr (He/ Him) is a native Atlantan who has spent much of his life dedicated to supporting the performing and visual arts with an underlying heart for service. David’s journey into the charitable arts space through Qreative Voices  begins with a simple belief that Atlanta deserves additional space for the GLBTQ community dedicated to  supporting, amplifying and preserving queer narratives through the power of the performing arts.  He strongly believes that artists and storytellers should carry our collective history forward - boldly, beautifully, and unapologetically.

    David’s professional life as a physician in Atlanta recently ended with a planned retirement to pursue other interests.  His  medical career spanned roles from practicing as a clinical urologist with department leadership and management as well as previously serving on the Board of Directors for The Southeast Permanente Medical Group in Atlanta.

    His  passion for the performing arts started at an early age and continued into college with involvement with the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia music fraternity while at Mercer University in Macon, Georgia.  Through his personal and professional experiences he understands firsthand the impact that dedicated nonprofits can have and is committed to ensuring that Qreative Voices serves its mission that every story matters and that queer voices must not only be heard but should be celebrated, protected and uplifted. 
    In his unstructured time, David and his canine companion Coco navigate adventures and  travels both locally and afar as well as pursuing piano studies and entertaining friends at his home. 

    David welcomes conversations about how we can better serve our community through the performing arts. 

  • Amanda Hackett (She/Her) arrived in Atlanta due to her spouse's job in 2023 and immediately fell in love.

    Raised backstage, she was first in the limelight at 3 years old as a street urchin in Scrooge. She's been hooked ever since. Onstage and backstage were her happy places and a wonderful avenue for learning that stories can transport us and equip us for the lives we are building. On top of theatre, like all midwesterners, she did show choir for four years. 

    At Smith College, she built sets in the scene shop for her work study and performed with the jazz band as a singer and trumpet player. Then Amanda pursued a law degree at Howard University where she was a member of the law school's gospel choir.

    During her distinguished career as an immigration attorney for the LGBTQIA+ community in Washington, DC, Amanda had to step back from performing, but enjoyed the 100+ theatres in the DMV and occasionally snuck up to NYC. 

    Upon retiring from the law, Amanda returned to her traditional storytelling roots and opened a business as a voiceover actor. She is a versatile voice actor and uses her love of language learning and poetry to transform texts. Additionally, Amanda studies accordion with Matthew Kaminski and improv at Whole World Improv Theatre. She enjoys the vibrancy of the Queer Arts and Theatre communities in Atlanta and the South. 

    We are so lucky to be telling our stories our ways.

  • Katherine Riddick (she/her) is a Southern gal who knows the power of a good story. Originally from Mississippi, Katherine’s professional life in Marketing brought her to Atlanta in 2014 where she fell in love with the city. Over the past 11+ years she has been committed to service around the Atlanta area through volunteering with various charities and teaching yoga. 

    Her passion for the arts started at an early age with a love of the performing arts, particularly musical theatre. Through her personal and professional experiences she understands firsthand the impact that having a space to share your voice and forge connections can contribute to growth as a person and as a community. Through her work with Qreative Voices, she is committed to ensuring that Atlanta will be a place to amplify queer southern stories.

    In her free time, Katherine enjoys reading, biking on the Silver Comet Trail, trying new restaurants, supporting the performing arts and traveling.