LOVELY TO MEET YOU!
JILL KLOPP TURNER
Founder, Producing Artistic Director
Originally from Oklahoma City, Jill has worked professionally as a producer and actor in OKC, Los Angeles, and Austin. Jill is a member of SAG/AFTRA, a graduate of Upright Citizen’s Brigade LA, and received her Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts from the University of Oklahoma, where she served as valedictorian. Jill is proud and honored to be part of Austin’s artistic landscape, working alongside and supporting the city's inspiring creators and visionaries. Credits: TV: Raising Hope (FOX), Criminal Minds (CBS), My Boys (TBS), Saving Grace (TNT), Diagnosis X (TLC), Piranhas (HBO), Nikki! (Funny or Die), Buckle Up (iTunes). Film: Abducted In Plain Sight (Netflix), Teacher of the Year (Netflix), The Three Es (Amazon), Maternal Obsession (Lifetime), Something Blue (Curtis Crick Productions). Theatre: God of Carnage (BAP), The Outsider (BAP & The Stage Austin), Wonder of the World (BAP & City Theatre), August: Osage County (City Theatre), Chico’s Angels (Kurt Koehler Productions, LA), Laundry and Bourbon (Lost Hollywood Players, LA), Oklahoma! (Jewel Box Theatre, OKC), Lend Me a Tenor (Jewel Box Theatre, OKC).
SHANNON EMBRY
Founder, Associate Artistic Director
Shannon Embry’s stage work includes ANNA CATHERINE IFF as Anna Catherine, GOD OF CARNAGE as Annette, CRIMES OF THE HEART as Meg Magrath, LYSISTRATA as Kleonike, AUGUST OSAGE COUNTY as Karen Weston, FIVE LESBIANS EATING A QUICHE as Dale, LYING TO THE SEA WITCH, SAINTS SINNERS & THIEVES. FronteraFest: I AM NOT THE PERSON YOU HAVE MADE ME OUT TO BE. With Austin Musical Theatre: PETER PAN, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, and GYPSY. Short film BATTLING BULLIES.
Shannon received two B. Iden Payne nominations for Outstanding Featured Performer in a Comedy. In 2021-22 for WONDER OF THE WORLD as The Sextuplets and in 2022-23 for her portrayal of Paige Caldwell in THE OUTSIDER. She has also been nominated for Best Lead Actress in a Comedy and Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy by Broadway World Austin for prior work. Shannon previously served as artistic director with Austin Guerrilla Theatre as part of The Exchange Artists. She holds a business degree from UT Austin and lives in Austin with her husband and their twin teenage daughters.
Shannon is a member of Actors' Equity Association (AEA).
ROBYN CONNER
Founder, Associate Artistic Director
Robyn began performing in elementary school and continued through college earning her BFA in Performance from Stephen F. Austin State University. She has been a theatre educator for 28 years and has directed over 40 school productions, as well as professionally in the Austin area. She’s also a powerhouse performer!
From Barbara in AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY to Ma Joad in THE GRAPES OF WRATH, to the Neon Orange Starfish in Zilker Theatre’s THE LITTLE MERMAID, Robyn finds joy in every role.
In 2021-22, Robyn received a B. Iden Payne nomination for Outstanding Featured Performer in a Comedy for the role of Lois in WONDER OF THE WORLD and again in 2022-23 for her portrayal of Louise Peakes in THE OUTSIDER. She is thrilled and honored to start this new adventure with Beyond August Productions. Robyn interprets theatre as art, passion, and family, and is grateful that Beyond August Productions warmly embodies all three.