Member Spotlight:  Tiffany Layman

Tiffany Layman has worn a lot of hats at Center Stage Jackson over the years. She’s served as a board member, performed onstage, directed pit orchestras, coordinated music, and produced a cabaret. Audiences may recognize her from Fun Home, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, or one of CSJ’s cabarets. A lot of her work has happened behind the scenes as well.

Although her first show with CSJ was back in 2007, the production that stands out most is The Hunchback of Notre Dame in 2025.

“It was a beast of a show (in all the best ways!),” Tiffany said.

The cast and crew tackled a production with a lot of moving parts, and she remembers both the work and the people.

“I was able to work alongside long-time friends, and meet many new, wonderful people as well. There was something special about finding our way through that show together, with all of its insane demands, that will stay with us all forever.”

When asked about a favorite role, Tiffany immediately points to Alison in Fun Home.

“It was a very emotionally challenging piece, with wonderful music,” she said. “The responsibility of telling someone’s true story, and finding ways to connect with life experiences that I’ve not had myself was a very humbling task.”

Outside of CSJ, music continues to be a big part of her life. Although she no longer teaches, she still looks for ways to use her Music Education degree. She has sung with amateur groups, performed with local musicians, and currently sings with a professional ensemble in Ypsilanti.

That work has led to some pretty unique opportunities, including singing with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and performing backup vocals for Andrea Bocelli at Little Caesars Arena.

Like many theatre people, Tiffany also has a list of dream roles she’d love to tackle someday. The Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods, Fantine in Les Misérables, and Kathy in The Last Five Years are all on that list.

For Tiffany, community theatre is valuable because there are so many different ways for people to be involved.

“Community theatre offers multiple creative outlets for people from all interests and walks of life. There is a place for everyone somewhere, and a way for people to be involved.”

Over time, those shared experiences can become something more.

“There is a wonderful sense of found-family that can be had, which is hard to find elsewhere.”

And after years of productions, rehearsals, and opening nights, one thing still stands out.

“That first line or musical note of opening night… there’s nothing like it!”