For Kimberly Chesser, Northeast Alabama Community College (NACC) was more than a place to earn a degree. It was a second home and the foundation of a lifelong passion that led to a thriving career in the arts. 

Her connection to the college began long before she officially became a student. Growing up in nearby Fyffe, Alabama, Chesser participated in theatre productions at Northeast as a child, spending six years immersed in nearly 20 shows. At that time, the College’s theatre program hosted performances in the gymnasium. As Chesser graduated from Fyffe High School, Northeast was completing the facility now known as the Tom Bevill Lyceum. This state-of-the-art facility and a full scholarship offer were all it took for Chesser to become a full-time student at Northeast.

Performing on a professional-caliber stage alongside a supportive community of peers and faculty made her eventual transition to a four-year institution seamless. Chesser credits Ms. Ann Everett with cultivating her love for the craft. Everett was a pioneer of the arts and built the college’s theatre program from the ground up. “She was a force of nature,” says Chesser. “The woman created theatre where there wasn’t one. She introduced theatre to people that may never see it elsewhere, and she cultivated a community of artists who may have never found each other.”

At NACC, Chesser gained hands-on experience in every facet of theatre, from acting and directing to set construction, costuming, and lighting. Remembering Everett’s impact on her, Chesser adds, “She taught me how to build sets, sew costumes, run a light board, call a show, and act. I learned so much about my craft that I still use to this day.” With Everett, where there was a will, there was a way. That leading example provided Chesser the opportunity to learn the importance of every aspect of the theatre and the hard work and craft that is required when putting on a show.

After graduating from NACC in 1995, Chesser transferred to the University of Montevallo, where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in theatre with a concentration in musical theatre. She went on to build an impressive and diverse career, working across the country and internationally. Now based in New York City, she has spent nearly three decades performing in musicals, plays, television, and film, while also writing, directing, producing, and teaching.

Among her proudest accomplishments are the three feature films she helped bring to life as an executive producer: The Extinction of Fireflies, Jimmy and Carolyn, and Oscar Wilde About America. In each project, she wore multiple hats, collaborating on creative direction while also managing practical elements like casting, contracts, and production design. This versatility, she notes, reflects the comprehensive skillset she first developed at Northeast.

NACC’s theatre program instilled a love for the craft that Chesser still carries with her today. She credits her education not only for preparing her professionally but also for shaping her broader perspective. Courses in English, history, and sociology continue to influence her work and creativity. Her advice to current students is simple: embrace every opportunity. “NACC is a very special place,” she says. “The relationships you build and the knowledge you gain there will stay with you. Take it all in! You may use it in ways you never expect.” From a young performer on a local stage to an accomplished artist with an international career, Kimberly Chesser exemplifies the lasting impact of the Northeast experience.