Mary McCallum

Mary McCallum received her B.A. from Vanderbilt University (cum laude) in 1994 and her M.B.A. from Vanderbilt University in 2000. She founded SistaStyle Productions in 2001 for the purpose of providing opportunities for "hidden" talent in our community. Since its inception, SistaStyle has created opportunities for many talented entertainers, including writers, directors, actors and technicians to showcase their gifts.

Mary has written and directed "I'm Going Home"( 2007) and “The Balm of Love” (2008) and “Peace In The Valley (2009) for The Hermitage, Home of Andrew Jackson. Mary has produced theatrical productions for the Nashville Community, including: "Love's Light In Flight", "Green Honey Love", "Shakin' The Mess Outta Misery", "The Story", "Pretty Fire", “Waitin’ 2 End Hell”, “In Real Life” and “The Desire”. In February 2007, Mary also co-produced and assistant-directed "My Soul Is A Witness" with Metro Nashville Parks. "My Soul Is A Witness" was adapted from slave narratives and performed at many historical sites around Nashville and for Mayor Purcell. “My Soul Is A Witness” was nominated for a 2007 Tennessee Recreation and Parks Association Award.

Mary is also an accomplished actress and has performed with many theater companies in Nashville and surrounding cities. Her appearances include "A Raisin In the Sun" (Patterson Park Murfreesboro), "Lysistrata" (People's Branch Theatre), "Home on the Morning Train" (Theatre Craft), "American Menu" (American Negro Playwright Theatre), "Black Nativity" (Amun Ra Theatre) and “The Face of Emmett Till” (Murfreesboro Little Theatre).

Mary is also co-Founder of the Shades of Black Theatre Festival. The goal of the festival is to Unite, Learn, and Celebrate by providing an artist outlet to Nashville and surrounding cities, as well as to provide a platform for actors, directors, producers, writers and theatre enthusiasts to network and learn. She received the "Right On" award for her theater work and artistic contributions from TN Style Magazine in 2007

In 2008, Mary received the “Volunteer of the Year” award for work her work with the International Black Film Festival of Nashville. Her play, “The 70% Club” also appeared in The New York International Fringe Festival and the Capital Fringe Festival (D.C.) in 2008. “The 70% Club” was made into a feature film and was the winner of the 2009 International Black Film Festival of Nashville “Best Feature”. It was released by Maverick Entertainment in June 2010. Her play “The ‘D’ Word” was accepted into the Manhattan Rep. Winterfest and played in New York City in March 2010. Her play “Fly, Girl!” is based on the life of Bessie Coleman, the first African American female aviator. It has appeared at the D.C. Black Theatre festival and is currently running at Next Level Entertainment in Nashville. Her play “Hunger In Paradise” was selected for the 2011 Reader’s Theatre at the prestigious National Black Theatre Festival.