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A Magical Journey Thru Stages
STAGES VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Frequently asked questions
Donnell Adler has had the honor and joy of directing and teaching worldwide for more than a decade including, most recently, with Stages. She has been honored to bring energy, creativity, and a great deal of professional experience to all of her kids...young and old. She is an actress, singer, presenter, professional patient and voice over artist. For the past 30 years she has worked in film, television, commercials, industrials and theatre as well as studying at the Juilliard School. Most importantly, she lives, loves and works in Rochester with her very supportive husband and her ridiculously cute/loving Shihtzu.
Donnell Adler has had the pleasure of directing and teaching worldwide for more than two decades. She has been honored to bring energy, creativity, and a great deal of professional experience to all of her kids...young and old. Most recently she has directed and produced for The Dinner Detectives, St. Marys, Rochester Fringe Festival, Drama Kids and Stages. She is also an actress, singer, presenter, professional patient and voice over artist. For the past 30 years she has worked in film, television, commercials, industrials and theatre as well as studying at the Juilliard School. Most importantly, she lives, loves and works in Rochester with her very supportive husband and her ridiculously cute/loving Shihtzu.
Lisa grew up in the breathtaking state of Montana and has had the pleasure of calling several different places home, including Oregon, Minnesota, Indiana, Michigan, and New York. In 2004, her family made the move to Rochester, where her three kids discovered their second home at Stages. Now all grown up, they often look back with fondness at their time there, thriving both on stage and behind the scenes. The skills they picked up have had a lasting, positive impact on their lives!
Lisa holds a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Montana and started her journey as a teacher in early intervention programs in both Montana and Oregon. In 2015, she became part of the Stages executive team where she juggled many roles, from being the production manager for musicals and the improv troupe to coordinating the education program and handling social media, marketing, and website updates. Lisa loves seeing the incredible impact that theater has on children throughout the Greater Rochester Area. As the new Executive Director, Lisa looks forward to fostering organizational growth and ensuring a magical experience for the students and families at Stages.
Carolyn Curran (Managing Director)
Carolyn has loved the magic of theater since she was a young child. She is thankful to her parents for instilling a lifelong love of music in her. She considers it an honor to have worked at Stages with a stellar staff since 2010, and can’t imagine a better place to work than A Magical Journey Thru Stages, where magic happens all the time!
Jodi is a doctor of social work who has worked as a family therapist for 26 years. She is a mental health educator and advocate, the author of 5 self-help books, and the creator of countless personal development videos. Jodi recently designed a mental and emotional wellness curriculum for high school health teachers, called COMPASS, which is also a treatment intervention countering teenagers' growing mental health needs. She lives in West Irondequoit with her husband, Ted, and is a mom of three adult children. Her youngest, Lily, an alumna of Stages, is pursuing a career in theater. In addition to the board at Stages, Jodi is a member of My Friend Abby's advisory board and a volunteer at Spritus Christi Mental Health Center.
Erin is a graduate of Fordham University where she received her Master of Science in Teaching. She also earned her Bachelor of Arts in Acting and Directing, with a Minor in Theatre Education from the University of Northern Colorado. Erin has performed professionally in national tours and numerous regional theatre companies across the country. As a certified teaching artist in NYC, Erin directed multiple productions. While in NYC, Erin served as a private acting coach, and continues to work today with students in the Rochester area. Currently, Erin is the Director for the spring musical, Mean Girls at Penfield High School, and is also the Drama Club Director at Cobbles in Penfield. At STAGES, Erin has directed many productions, including Jekyll & Hyde, Heathers, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Pippin, Rent, and Rock of Ages. Along with directing, she has been a choreographer for STAGES, as well as a teaching artist for workshops and masterclasses. Erin loves inspiring performers to unleash the power of possibility, and is thrilled to be working with STAGES again this year!
Sherry has been the Executive Director managing all aspects of STAGES since 2009 and was the Board President from 2009 to 2016. She has been involved in various capacities since 2003, when her now adult daughter did her first performance with Stages. Believing strongly that a youth community theater offers great benefits to kids who love performing, Sherry led Stages, with assistance from many others, into and through its transition from an inter-generational revue theater to the current full youth community theater. She continues to add creative programs, has increased revenue so as to hire staff, and is always searching for ways to improve Stages.
Sherry, recently retired as an attorney with the New York State Unified Court System since 1991, worked extensively in the area of commercial litigation involving many types of business transactions. This experience provides a broad spectrum of ideas, options, and direction for the business aspects of Stages.
Sherry recognizes that Stages is a family-oriented, high-quality theater due to many hours of dedication and commitment from staff, volunteers, parents and, most importantly, the kids. The families' positive response to the theater environment and programs Stages offers makes the continuing magical journey at STAGES all the more worthwhile.
Christina brings almost 20 years of experience in finance, operations, and education leadership to the board. She currently serves as the President & CEO of Our Lady of Mercy School for Young Women, where she oversees the daily operations and long-term strategy of a vibrant all-girls school rooted in the Mercy tradition. Her professional background also includes experience in nonprofit management, sports and entertainment, and corporate accounting & finance.
With a strong foundation in strategic planning, budgeting, human resources, and organizational development, she is passionate about supporting programs that empower young people. Her involvement with Stages began through her daughter’s participation as a student in the program. Inspired by the impact it had on her child, she joined the board to help the organization continue to thrive and grow. Christina is a native of Buffalo, NY and has a B.S. in Corporate & Personal Finance with a Minor in Economics from St. John Fisher University as well as a Masters in Business Administration.
Benjamin Bernstein (he/him) is excited to be returning for another season at Stages! From Mendon NY, he is a graduate of SUNY Geneseo, where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Musical Theatre. Additionally, he holds a Masters degree, from Roberts Wesleyan University, in childhood education. Outside of the theatre realm, Ben is a fifth grade teacher at Victor Intermediate School. In addition, he directs the shows at Barker Road Middle School, and choreographs the shows for Pittsford Mendon High School.
Casting is a giant puzzle in which the artistic team takes into account the demands of each individual role, the demands of the production, and the potential or skills demonstrated by each student in a casting session (grades 1-5) or audition (grades 6-12). The artistic team also considers each students’ availability within the rehearsal schedule. Ultimately, each student is placed where the artistic team believes they will be most successful while also contributing to the success of the production as a whole.
Raelynn Bovenzi is a recent graduate of St. Lawrence University where she received a double major in Business and Communications with a minor in Education. She is so excited to be back at STAGES working with the next generation of performers. Performing and working at STAGES since 2005, Raelynn has appeared in Little Shop of Horrors (2018), SideShow (2017), 13 (2015), Tarzan (2015), Aristocats (2006) and Into the Woods (2014) as well as many others. Shows where she has been apart of the creative process would include The Addams Family(2016), My Son Pinocchio Jr(2023), Shrek(2023), Rehearsal for Murder(2024), Lion King Jr(2024), Honk Jr(2024) and The SpongeBob Musical: Youth Edition (2025). She thanks her family, friends, and the team at STAGES for their constant love and support! Lastly, Raelynn wants to give a big thank you to you parents! Thank you for trusting us with your kids and giving them the opportunity to come to STAGES where they can express themselves creatively. Raelynn loves working with each and every one of them!
Admiral has been a member and Treasurer of STAGES Board of Directors since 2010. During his tenure, he has worked to keep STAGES finances up to date and in working order. He has also lent his leadership to many STAGES initiatives including computer bookkeeping, the STAGES 24-hour project, and the annual GALA fundraising event. Admiral's on-stage experience is running campfire stage shows at Scout Camp. He brings a wealth of experience in non-profit administration, having served for over 30 years on the board of the Seneca Waterways Council, BSA, eleven of them as Vice-President, Quality Control. He is a Special Education Teacher at Monroe #1 BOCES, and is the Treasurer of BOCES United Professionals, NYSUT. His wife Gina is the reigning "costume queen" at STAGES and daughter Emily was regularly on our stage, working as student director or student costumer, and is looking forward to coming back to alumni shows. The Lord family is committed to helping STAGES provide education and practical opportunities for kids to perform all aspects of theatre.
Parents can help students be prepared for casting by carefully reading the audition instructions and encouraging them to be themselves and do their best. Please be assured that Stages is a supportive, safe environment, and we want all students to feel as comfortable and successful as possible.
It is inevitable that, given the nature of theater, students will, at some point or another, experience disappointment in casting. Parents can help by acknowledging the disappointment, acknowledging the “giant puzzle” of casting described above, and encouraging students to keep an open mind and positive outlook. Every role is crucial to the success of each production. Stages strives to make every students’ experience memorable and meaningful.
Hector Manuel considers himself incredibly fortunate to be back at Stages for yet another thrilling chapter! Choreographing two Stages productions with a vibrant, talented group of students has been nothing short of a creative symphony—a dazzling blend of energy, passion, and artistic brilliance. Beyond his work as a choreographer, Hector has held a myriad of theatrical positions, including director, artistic director, and board member for various companies across the region. Now, as a proud board member, Hector is thrilled to help shape and support the future of this incredible organization. Being part of the board allows him to collaborate with fellow visionaries, champion young artists, and ensure that Stages continues to be a beacon of creativity, inclusivity, and theatrical excellence.
Born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada, Tammi Colombo has made Rochester her home! She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre with a Minor in Dance Performance from Southern Utah University in 2017. While in Utah, Tammi performed with the Utah Shakespeare Festival, and performed as well as Stage and Company Managed for the Neil Simon Festival. Since moving to Rochester in 2018, Tammi has had the pleasure of performing in ‘Chicago’, ‘Shrek: The Musical’, ‘Sweet Charity’, and ‘Oklahoma’ among many others. In 2021, Tammi went back to school to become a Licensed Massage Therapist, and now practices out of AHN Wellness in Irondequoit. You can also find Tammi teaching ballet, jazz, and musical theatre at Universal Movement and Dance in Gates, choreographing for Stages’ summer theatre program, and she is heading into her fifth year choreographing for Greece Olympia Musical Theatre.
Samantha Janover, originally from Long Island, NY is a seasoned theatre educator and performer who has dedicated her career to the arts and nurturing young artists. With over a decade of experience in the performing arts, she has worn nearly every hat in the theatre world; actor, musician, prop mistress, stage manager, director, and administrator, giving her a rare perspective on what it takes to bring a production to life.
Since 2021, Samantha has been a driving force at Sunrise Theatre Company, she has been involved in over 35 productions and, as Performing Arts Academy Coordinator, oversaw every detail of the Sunrise Theatre’s children’s theatre program. Parents and students alike know her as an encouraging mentor, balancing high expectations with warmth and grace, and helping young performers grow not only as artists but as confident individuals.
Samantha’s extensive background in music, stagecraft, and education ensures that every child she works with is given the tools, encouragement, and professional guidance to shine both on and off stage. She is elated to bring her passion for theatre education, artistry, and true love for inspiring the next generation to Rochester’s vibrant youth community at A Magical Journey Thru Stages.
Kelly Metras is a seasoned entrepreneur and respected community leader based in Rochester, New York, with nearly three decades of experience in the hospitality industry. She is the co-owner of Salena’s Mexican Restaurant, a beloved local institution that she and her husband, Aaron, purchased in 2011 after spending years working in various roles within the business. Together, they have owned and operated several ventures, meaningfully contributing to Rochester’s vibrant small business landscape.
Beyond her work in hospitality, Kelly is a passionate advocate for women in business. In 2014, she co-founded BOSSY, a networking group that connects and empowers women entrepreneurs through events, workshops, and a robust private forum. She also co-hosts the podcast Getting Real with Bossy, offering candid conversations about the realities of business ownership.
Kelly’s dedication to community and education is reflected in her active participation on advisory boards, her engaging public speaking, and her work as a business consultant- where she helps other entrepreneurs elevate their operations and achieve sustainable growth.
Known for her pragmatic optimism, collaborative spirit, and unwavering commitment to community empowerment, Kelly brings invaluable insight and leadership to every role she takes on.
John worked for ten exceptional years in Executive Relations at Microsoft, then began a second career working with nonprofit organizations and independent schools, primarily in development, communications, problem solving, and sustainability. He most recently worked in Advancement and has been serving on the Alternative Revenue, Enrollment, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committees at Allendale Columbia School. John, who grew up in East Irondequoit and returned to the area in 2014, holds a B.A. in Natural Sciences from Colgate University supplemented with Master’s level courses in Teaching at Colgate and Public Administration at Seton Hall University and Rutgers University. John and his wife Lois live in Brighton with their two teenagers, they enjoy traveling, theater, and movies, and all love the experiences and friendships they've developed with the Stages Family.
Neyda Colón-DiMaria is a freelance teaching, performing, and creating artist born and based in Rochester, New York. Most of her work focuses within the realms of dance and spoken word poetry, to educate and connect communities. Neyda is a 2018 alumna of Rochester School of The Arts and Puerto Rican based company, Borinquen Dance Theatre. She is thrilled to be back for her second summer to help bring you Sweeney Todd!
Greg Maddock has worked in youth and educational theatre at The REV Theatre Co.
(Auburn, NY), Redhouse Arts Center (Syracuse, NY), Arlington Children’s
Theatre (Arlington, MA), A Magical Journey Thru Stages (Rochester, NY),
and Rochester Broadway Theatre League’s Stars of Tomorrow. Greg has proudly directed theatre programs at Gananda CSD and North Rose-Wolcott CSD, studied with the International Performing Art Institute in Germany, and performed with Walt Disney World Entertainment. Greg recently obtained a Master of Science in School Librarianship from University at Buffalo.
Chris Martin is originally a Texas native, who came to Rochester by way of his wife. Most recently at Stages, Chris has directed Beetlejuice Jr., Spongebob The Musical School Edition, The Big One Oh! JR., Alice in Wonderland JR., Finding Nemo JR., Peter and the Starcatcher, and Shrek JR. Along with directing, Chris is also the full time Scenic Painter at Stages. By day, Chris is a Fourth Grade teacher at Rochester Prep Elementary School. He is also married to his wife Erin, and together they have a beautiful daughter. Locally, Chris has had the opportunity to work at many great Rochester theatre organizations such as Blackfriars, TYKES, and RWCCT. Before moving to Rochester, Chris worked professionally in NYC for many years and toured the country numerous times. Chris has a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, TX. He is also a member of the Equity Membership Program (EMC). Getting to share his passion for theatre is one of his greatest joys! He is thrilled to be joining the Stages team in a new way, and can’t wait to share and show all the incredible work done at Stages!
Lauralynne Davis is a collaborative pianist from Rochester, New York. She is a frequent performer, collaborating with ensembles, theater companies, and individual artists.
Davis is the Piano Department Chair and Instructor at the Roberts Community Music School. She has also taught as an adjunct faculty member at Onondaga Community College and Syracuse University, teaching a variety of classes including music history, keyboard skills courses, and applied lessons. Davis also serves as an adjunct faculty dance pianist for classes at Nazareth University.
In 2022, Davis made her Carnegie Hall debut in a concert representing Syracuse University. She was also selected to attend the Professional Piano Program at SongFest in Nashville, Tennessee in 2023, studying and coaching pieces with Martin Katz, Mark Trawka, Kathryn Cowdrick, Javier Arrebola, and Roger Vignoles.
Davis earned an M.M. in Piano Performance with a Collaborative Emphasis from Syracuse University, focusing primarily on vocal coaching and working with singers in a variety of genres. She is thrilled to be vocal directing her first show with Stages!
Born and raised in Rochester, Taylor Day graduated from Ithaca College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education and Vocal performance as well as Nazareth University with a Masters Degree in Music Education. She currently teaches, directs and choreographs at Canandaigua Middle School where she has been for the last 9 years. In her free time, she enjoys spending quality time with friends and family and playing outside with Derrick and Parker!
Kelly Metras is a Rochester-based entrepreneur and community leader with 15+ years of experience helping small businesses grow through data-driven strategies and creative problem-solving. Known for her pragmatic optimism and collaborative spirit, she brings the same passion to her work as she does to raising four children with her husband.
Jamie is a graduate of Nazareth College, where she studied Technical Production with a focus on Stage Management, Lighting Design, Sound Design, Costume Design, Set Design, and Theatrical Makeup. She has been involved with Stages for several years and brings over three decades of experience in Technical Theater.
PAYMENT: Deposit for each camp, plus completed registration, are required to hold a spot in the camp.
CANCELED SESSIONS: Stages reserves the right to cancel any session for any reason, in which case tuition for that session will be fully refunded.
WITHDRAWAL POLICY: For withdrawal from Summer Camps, any amount paid is refundable prior to the Registration Fee Due Date listed for each show or camp, minus the $100 nonrefundable deposit paid for each session and the online processing fees. After the Registration Fee Due Date, the session fee is non-refundable except in the case of illness or emergency that prevents the student from attending the session.
Savannah Devlin is a director and actress from Rochester, NY and is currently living in New York City. She received her BFA in Acting from Syracuse University, where she was also a member of the Renee Crown University Honors Program. Some favorite credits from school include playing Gerty Fail in Failure: A Love Story and directing Sarah Ruhl’s Eurydice. She has been performing and working at STAGES since 2009, and most recently directed The Addams Family Young@Part and choreographed The Knight at Dawn Kids. Some favorite STAGES roles include Veronica in Heathers and Sherrie in Rock of Ages. She is so excited to be back working at the theatre she has called home for the last decade (plus). She thanks her family, friends, and the entire team at STAGES for their constant support!
Debra Ross is founder and publisher of KidsOutAndAbout.com. KidsOutAndAbout.com is an online resource for parents that Deb started in 2001 to help Rochester-area parents find all of our area's great resources and activities. It has since spread around the country and has 2.5 million readers per year. She is the author of Seasons and Reasons: A Parent's Guide to Cultivating Great Kids.
Deb earned her BA in English literature from the University of Pennsylvania. English majors can do everything or nothing, so Deb chose... computers. She started a technology consulting firm for the mail order/direct commerce industry in 1994. In 2001, her second daughter, Ella, was on the way, and Deb realized that the Rochester area had a wealth of activities for kids, but that she'd always hear about them after they had happened. So she created KidsOutAndAbout.com; its ample calendar serves as the backbone of the site. Deb wrote lots of reviews of Stages productions before her kids became involved in 2010. After that, her love of all that Stages did for her kids made her unable to write an unbiased review. But it only grew her fervor for helping the Rochester community realize what a wonderful organization Stages is. She's pleased to be able to contribute as part of the board.
Jamie is a graduate of Nazareth College, where she studied Technical Production with a focus on Stage Management, Lighting Design, Sound Design, Costume Design, Set Design, and Theatrical Makeup. She has been involved with Stages for several years and brings over three decades of experience in Technical Theater.
Erica Silloway developed a love of theater at the young age of 7, when she saw Liza Minelli star in Act on Broadway. It was particularly memorable as it was Liza’s birthday and Erica had the special opportunity to sing Happy Birthday to her with the rest of the audience. In 2013, after watching a neighbor’s child perform in a Magical Journey Thru Stages production, she dove in head first, since enrolling her two small children in numerous school year musicals, plays, camps, and Improv troupes. A Title Specialist for Frontier Abstract and Research, Inc by day and a “Stages Parent” by night, Erica has also volunteered her time to the organization as Props Manager for copious shows and most recently came on staff as Box Office Manager. Her biggest accomplishment in life has been raising her kids to be the strong and confident young adults they are today. She credits the “village” she and her children have found within Stages for its contribution to her children’s happiness and success.
Christian Drewis is a middle school teacher at Greece Athena. He attended Nazareth College, obtaining his undergraduate degree in vocal music education and his graduate degree in music education, with a specialization in Autism. Christian has vocal directed a myriad of musicals, some of his favorites are: Matilda, The Prom, Hairspray, Shrek, Mary Poppins, and SpongeBob. He has also assisted in the community with shows both in the pit and vocally. Some of his favorites have been Les Miserablé, The Prom, Fun Home, and Newsies. He is very excited to be working with these wonderfully talented kids at Stages.
Erica Silloway developed a love of theater at the young age of 7, when she saw Liza Minelli star in Act on Broadway. It was particularly memorable as it was Liza’s birthday and Erica had the special opportunity to sing Happy Birthday to her with the rest of the audience. In 2013, after watching a neighbor’s child perform in a Magical Journey Thru Stages production, she dove in head first, since enrolling her two small children in numerous school year musicals, plays, camps, and Improv troupes. A Title Specialist for Frontier Abstract and Research, Inc by day and a “Stages Parent” by night, Erica has also volunteered her time to the organization as Props Manager for copious shows and most recently came on staff as Box Office Manager. Her biggest accomplishment in life has been raising her kids to be the strong and confident young adults they are today. She credits the “village” she and her children have found within Stages for its contribution to her children’s happiness and success.
Aindrea (Annie) Yockel finds herself at A Magical Journey Thru Stages after a meandering career path from physical therapy to library science. As Production Curator she collects and makes props and set dressings with groups of parent volunteers. As a “Stages Parent” herself, she has enjoyed helping kids learn and grow in the welcoming environment that Stages provides.
Madison Elia is a graduate of the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam where she received her Master of Music in Music Education with Choral and Special Education Concentrations. She also holds her Bachelor of Music in Music Education from The Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam as well as her Bachelor of Arts in Vocal Performance and Piano from SUNY Geneseo. Madison has a private voice and piano studio out of her home as well as has many years of experience working as a Music Director and Assistant Director with Canandaigua Youtheatre. She loves working with students of all ages and is so looking forward to making her debut with Stages this summer!
Sherry has been the Executive Director managing all aspects of STAGES since 2009 and was the Board President from 2009 to 2016. She has been involved in various capacities since 2003, when her now adult daughter did her first performance with Stages. Believing strongly that a youth community theater offers great benefits to kids who love performing, Sherry led Stages, with assistance from many others, into and through its transition from an inter-generational revue theater to the current full youth community theater. She continues to add creative programs, has increased revenue so as to hire staff, and is always searching for ways to improve Stages.
Sherry, recently retired as an attorney with the New York State Unified Court System since 1991, worked extensively in the area of commercial litigation involving many types of business transactions. This experience provides a broad spectrum of ideas, options, and direction for the business aspects of Stages.
Sherry recognizes that Stages is a family-oriented, high-quality theater due to many hours of dedication and commitment from staff, volunteers, parents and, most importantly, the kids. The families' positive response to the theater environment and programs Stages offers makes the continuing magical journey at STAGES all the more worthwhile.
Steve is pleased to be a member of the Stages team, having constructed sets for over 40 shows since 2021. He brings with him his career experience of over 40 years as a Program Manager and Business Manager in technical fields involving computer systems and rail safety and manufacturing. He has lived in the Rochester area for over 40 years, is married and is very proud of his 2 children who have been active Stages members.
A native of Rochester, NY, Francesca Genovese began training with the Deborah MacKay School of Dance and continued through to the American Academy of Ballet, in Amherst, NY, as well as on full scholarship at the Garth Fagan School. In 2004 she began her professional career in Greenville, SC with Carolina Ballet Theater, and became a resident choreographer with the company in 2009. In addition to her work with CBT, Francesca began freelancing nationally as a dancer, teacher and choreographer with companies such as Configuration Dance Theater, Olney Ballet Theater, and Newport Contemporary Ballet, as well as with community and professional theaters local to the Greenville area, such as the Warehouse Theater and The Younts Center for the Performing Arts. Francesca returned to Rochester to finish out her performance career with Rochester City Ballet, retiring in 2019. She has served as an Adjunct faculty member in the dance department at Nazareth College, and teaching dance at Renaissance Academy Charter School for the Arts from 2021 to 2024. Francesca is currently getting her BFA through St. Mary’s College of California’s LEAP program and is a full time Pilates instructor at Club Pilates.
Mandy holds a B.F.A from NYU/Tisch School of the Arts. She studied musical theatre at the Collaborative Arts Project of the 21st century (CAP21) in New York City. She has choreographed numerous shows here at Stages including Suessical (Summer 2024), Finding Nemo JR (Summer 2023), Newsies (2018) and Rock of Ages (2016). Mandy has also performed and choreographed for many local theatre companies including Blackfriars Theatre, TYKES, and the JCC Centerstage. She has taught and choreographed for various children's programs in the area including Brighton Summer Arts, and the JCC's Kidstage program. Some of her favorite local roles have included Rapunzel in Rapunzel Rapunzel! A Very Hairy Fairy Tale! (Rochester Children's Theatre), Piggie in Elephant & Piggie's “We Are In A Play!” (TYKES) and Young Melanie in the world premiere of Melanie and the Record Man (Blackfriars Theatre).
Joseph Janover is honored to be a part of the truly magical journey Stages has to offer. His previous music directing credits with Stages include Spelling Bee, Descendants, Heathers, Jekyll & Hyde, Little Mermaid JR., Songs for a New World, and numerous Broadway Cabaret Kids presentations. He holds his Bachelors and Master’s degrees from the Crane School of Music in Music Education K-12. He teaches MS-College music and theatre at Greece CSD and University of Rochester. In addition to 200+ theatrical credits, he takes pride in collaboration in numerous musical means such as composing/arranging, recording, film scoring, and accompanying NY statewide music festivals.
Katya Janover has always been passionate about musical theatre, in all facets. Katya has experience choreographing, directing, acting, music directing, production designing and more. Her favorite credits include Choreographer for Jekyll & Hyde (Stages), Heathers (Stages), Newsies Jr. (Stages), Be More Chill (Clarkson University), Music Director for Shrek Jr. (Stages), and artistic director of The Little Mermaid Jr. (Stages). Her favorite acting credits include playing the role of ‘Margaret White’ in Carrie the Musical, ‘Marian the Librarian’ in The Music Man, ‘Rona Lisa Peritti’ in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Rosa in The Mystery Edwin of Drood, and Vivienne in Legally Blonde The Musical. Katya holds a BM in Music Education with a minor in Theatre Studies, and a Masters in Music Education from the Crane School of Music. During the day, Katya has the privilege of being a Music Teacher at Merton Williams Middle School in Hilton. She is grateful for her loving family, friends, and husband for all their love and support. Lastly, she is thankful for the whole Stages board and staff for always being so supportive.
McKenna Light is a student at SUNY Brockport, where she is pursuing a degree in Childhood Inclusive Education with a minor in Disability Studies. She is also a member of the Brockport Honors College. McKenna is no stranger to either STAGES or choreography! In addition to her work at STAGES, she typically choreographs and stage manages three to four shows per year with Terry Fyke’s Main Street Players. She is also one of the choreographers for their Five Point Performance Company. McKenna was a STAGES performer from 5th grade until the time she graduated high school in 2020, having been seen as Heather Chandler in Heathers: High School Edition and Tanya in Mamma Mia!, among many other roles. Since graduating, she has continued performing at Main Street Players and SUNY Brockport. She is so grateful for the opportunity to work at one of her favorite places in the world!
Lyndsey Lord is a grateful Rochester native, and has enjoyed working at Stages with all ages since 2022. She holds a dual Bachelors degree in Vocal Performance and Music Education from Ithaca College, and her Masters in Musical Theatre from Oklahoma City University. Currently, she is a general music teacher back where it all began at Autumn Lane Elementary in Greece. Since becoming an educator, Lyndsey has had the pleasure of serving in several creative positions. Everything from artistic director of 2nd & 3rd grade musicals, 4th & 5th grade choral director, music director and choreographer of middle school musical productions, and virtual talent show organizer and editor. Ever the artist educator, you may see her performing around the Rochester area with Blackfriars Theatre, JCC Centerstage, Pittsford Musicals, Webster Theatre Guild, and RWCCT since 2003. More than ever, she feels so privileged to make art in the community, and instill a love for music in young people!
Alisha Love holds a BFA in Dance from SUNY Brockport. Her degree has led her to perform with Mariah Maloney Dance and Delucia Benson Dance Company. Not only does Alisha enjoy performing, she enjoys teaching and working with children, preparing them for a career in the arts. She has worked with many studios, schools, and local theaters for over 10 years. Alisha's currently working at Finger Lakes Ballet Academy in Canandaigua and is a stay at home mom caring for her two children.
Megan Mack is an improviser, sketch comedy writer, and television and radio producer. She is a graduate of the Conservatory and Writing Programs at the Second City Training Centre in Toronto, and has studied improvisation with Jimmy Carrane, Armando Diaz, Susan Messing, T.J. Jagodowski, and David Pasquesi, among others. Megan has taught improvisation and sketch comedy writing throughout the country, leading workshops for individuals of all ages and experience levels. She believes improv skills are valuable both onstage and off, as they enable performers to become better listeners, communicators, creative thinkers, and team players. Megan performs with the sketch comedy and improv troupe, “Thank You Kiss,” which is a winner of the Missouri Review’s Miller Audio Prize for Humor.
Greg Maddock regularly directs the students of Gananda Central School District, as well as our wonderful students at Stages! Greg draws experience from Walt Disney World Entertainment (FL), Merry-Go-Round Youth Theatre (Auburn, NY), Red House Arts Center (Syracuse, NY), Arlington Children's Theatre (MA), and International Performing Art Institute (Germany). Locally, Greg has been involved with The Gatesinger Company, Ltd. (Pultneyville, NY), Theatre444 (Geneva, NY), and has adjudicated for RBTL's Stars of Tomorrow program.
At Stages, Greg has directed Mary Poppins (2024), Grease School Version (2023), The SpongeBob Musical (2021), Matilda (2019), Newsies (2018), and summer camp productions of Mean Girls JR., Newsies JR., Oliver! JR, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang JR., Moana JR., The Addams Family Y@P, Alice in Wonderland JR., and Oklahoma! Youth Edition.
A Rochester native, but a New Yorker at heart, Hector is very humbled to be involved in such an effervescent theatre community and having the opportunity to hold a myriad of theatrical positions. His roles have included being a performer, director, choreographer, artistic director, and board member of various companies in the area. Hector strives to help foster inclusivity and mindfulness through performance coaching, various panel discussions, workshops on color conscious casting, and working with non-profits in the Rochester area who hold similar visions of change, such as Rochester Latino Theatre Company and Girls Rock! Rochester. He also feels incredibly lucky to join the board of A Magical Journey Thru Stages.
Matt earned his Master’s Degree in Adolescent English Education from SUNY Brockport in 2011 and currently teaches 11th-grade English and Public Speaking at Victor Senior High School. From 2007 to 2010, he taught English and Drama at Batavia High School and served as the drama director at Batavia Middle School and musical director at the high school. Matt is actively involved in the Victor Drama program and has directed numerous productions through A Magical Journey Thru Stages, working with students across all grade levels. His directing credits include Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Something Rotten, Les Misérables, Urinetown, Anastasia, Sweeney Todd, The Drowsy Chaperone Jr., this spring’s production of Side Show, as well as many others. He also teaches acting and audition workshops at STAGES. In addition, Matt has performed with TYKES at the JCC in shows such as Seussical, Willy Wonka, Go, Dog! Go!, Knufflebunny, Disney’s My Son Pinocchio, and Bad Kitty, and has served as artistic director for many TYKES productions over the past ten years. He remains committed to supporting theater education and youth performance opportunities throughout the Rochester area.
Katie McCombs is 23 years old and from Victor, NY. Katie discovered a passion for dance and musical theatre at a young age. She is trained in ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, and ballroom dance forms. Katie is a Stages alumni and has performed in over 30 musical productions throughout Rochester. When she’s not onstage she is choreographing for students at A Magical Journey Thru Stages. Past roles include Ariel (The Little Mermaid), Wednesday (The Addams Family), and Charity (Sweet Charity). When not performing or choreographing she is a dog groomer at Bark Avenue Dog in Rochester, NY.
Chris is very excited to be a part of this 2021-2022 season at Stages! Originally from Texas, Chris came to Rochester by way of his wife, a Rochester Native. Most recently, Chris was working in New York City with a company called Artspower National Touring Theatre. With Artspower, Chris traveled all over the country for 5 years bringing favorite children’s books to life on stage. He also was a production assistant for the company, where he was involved with auditions, costumes, and daily ongoings with Artspower. Some notable credits while he was in NYC include Artspower: Chicken Dance (Elvis Poultry/Mac), Madeline and the Bad Hat (Spanish Ambassador/Cook), Are you my Mother? (Dog). Argyle Children’s Theatre: The Happy Elf (Eubie). The Gallery Players: ThePajama Game (Ensemble). You may have also seen him in the productions of Bad Kitty and Goodnight Moon at the JCC here in Rochester back in 2017-2018. But Before Chris moved to NYC, He was a part of many productions in Texas. Some of his favorite shows there that he was a part of include: The best Little….. in Texas with TUTS, ForbiddenBroadway, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Spamalot, Footloose, Singin in the Rain, and many more. While not performing himself, Chris also enjoys cultivating the minds of young artist on stage. He has had the opportunity to work on many different productions with young artist be it as a director, choreographer, or wherever he could lend a helping hand. Live theatre is a team effort after all! Chris has a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, TX. He is also a member of the Equity Membership Program (EMC). He cannot wait to work with all the amazing talented individuals at Stages. Getting to share his passion for theatre with young artist is a truly magical experience, and every opportunity he gets to leaves an impact on who he is as an artist and a human being.
Rachael Mason (Ms.Rae) Is in her 28th season of being the Artistic Director of Rae’s Institute of Dance & Movement in Brewerton New York. Throughout these years, she has choreographed, and directed over 200 productions. From full length ballets to junior and high school Musicals. Her directing and choreography credits include:
(Ballets)The Nutcracker, Peter & The Wolf, Paquita, Hansel & Gretel, Coppelia, The Snow Queen, The Carnival of The Animals, The Magic Toy Shop, Sleeping Beauty, Alices Adventures in Wonderland, Jewels, and Stars and Stripes (Musicals) Annie, Legally Blonde, James and The Giant Peach, The Lion King, Grease, The Sound of Music, Newsies, Willy Wonka, The Wizard of Oz, Aladdin, Beauty and The Beast, and many more.
Ms. Rae started her training as a young girl in Syracuse New York training in both classical ballet, Jazz, tap, Musical Theater and Gymnastics. She performed with The Salt City Performing Arts Company landing fantastics rolls in Jesus Christ Super Star, 42nd Street, The Sound of music, and A chorus Line. She continued her training and education at The University of Akron, majoring in dance and minoring in visual arts. There she had the wonderful opportunity to train under both the Graham and Cunningham technique, with continuing master classes in Limon, Taylor, and Horton. She began her career both pre professionally and professionally with The Pittsburgh Conservatory, The Maude Baum Dance Company, and the EBA Theater and Arts in Education Company. While in Albany, she trained in International Dance, where she spent week long residencies taking over class rooms, with both elementary and high school level students teaching Dances Around The World. In addition to opening her Institute in 1996, in 1998 Ms. Rae also founded The Modern Dance Company, The Mason Dance Project, and became an AFFA certified personal trainer. She uses this to help both dancers, gymnast and figure skaters with outside conditioning, as well as teaching private and group adult fitness Classes. She is thrilled to have had the opportunity to work on productions with the students and staff at stages!
Kayleigh earned her Master's at the Eastman School of Music and received her Bachelors Degree in Music Education with a concentration in choral/voice. Kayleigh's recent highlights include performing in a festival choir at Carnegie Hall, producing Fredonia's annual "Opera Scenes" at the Fredonia Opera House, and holding a title on the NYS National Association for Music Education/NYSSMA-Collegiate executive board. A native of the Rochester-area, Kayleigh is thrilled to be teaching vocal and classroom music at Harris Hill Elementary School in Penfield where she works with grades 2-5 and directs the Fourth and Fifth Grade Choruses. At Stages, Kayleigh has music directed The Knight at Dawn KIDS, Dear Edwina JR. and directed Frozen JR. She enjoys working with each student individually and as an ensemble to help them grow into collaborative and mindful musicians, singers, and performers. As a private vocal teacher with extensive knowledge of vocal pedagogy, Kayleigh stresses the importance of healthy singing and loves finding creative ways to help young singers sing their very best!
Sam Nelson (They/He) is overjoyed to return to Stages! Sam studied theater technology at Monroe Community College and is a proud alumni of Stages, having performed in many productions from 2015-2019. Some of Sam's favorite roles on the Stages’ stage include Tarzan (Father), Legally Blonde (Emmett Forrest), Xanadu (Hermes), Aida (Pharaoh), and Sideshow (Tod Browning); for which Sam received the Stages’ Legacy Robe! They were also a proud member of stage crew for several shows and performed in the Stages' Improv Troupe! Sam is currently a director, stage manager, and actor in the Rochester area and has worked at many theater companies including Neighborhood Acting Company, The Company Theatre, The Rochester Fringe Festival, A Magical Journey Thru Stages, and many more! Thank you to their friends and family for all the support! Instagram: @26Sams
E.B. Okung is a Rochester born teaching artist, director, and improviser. They are currently a resident instructor and performer at The Focus Theater. They can also be found performing with their improv team, Ants to Gods. E.B. is pleased to currently be assistant directing Cabaret at Blackfriars Theatre which will be performing in May 2024.
Anastasia holds a BFA degree in Musical Theatre, with a dance minor, from Nazareth College. Since fourth grade she has performed in many shows around Rochester. Her favorite roles have been in Young Frankenstein, Funny Girl and The Producers at JCC CenterStage; Fastrada in Pippin, Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods; Maizie in The Boyfriend, and Gertrude in Seussical. Anastasia has choreographed extensively for kids theater camps. For over ten years she has choreographed summer theater camp shows at A Magical Journey Thru Stages, including Addams Family; Spamalot Jr.; Oliver Jr.; The Pirates of Penzance JR.; Disney's The Little Mermaid JR.; Aladdin KIDS; Disney's Alice In Wonderland JR, and Disney's The Jungle Book KIDS, among many others. She has also choreographed shows for other theater companies, including Beauty and the Beast JR. and The Little Mermaid JR.
Anastasia enjoys working with kids who are new to theater, as well as those who already feel the thrill of performing. It is great fun to explore and develop the natural talents of kids. Anastasia loves sharing her passion for theatre and watching the kids shine on stage. For the past two years Anastasia has been living and teaching in Korea. Life is such a great adventure. I am so thankful to have the opportunity to share my experiences.
Sara is thrilled to join Stages to direct 13: The Musical! Sara spent many years working in theatre in New York City, Chicago, and regionally throughout the U.S. She has her MFA from The Actors Studio/The New School for Drama in New York and has worked with Christopher Shinn, Lee Grant, Arthur Penn, Elizabeth Kemp, Ron Leibman, and many others. She has done independent film and television, and worked as the student/talent liaison on Bravo’s Inside the Actors Studio. In Chicago, she co-founded Candentia Theatre Company. Sara has taught on the Acting faculty at the New York Film Academy, the Music Theatre Company in Chicago and currently teaches Voice and Movement in the International Theatre program at The University of Rochester and Acting at Finger Lakes Community College. Sara continues to perform in and around Rochester and loves directing young actors and educational theatre!
Paige is thrilled to be making her Stages debut choreographing The Little Mermaid, Jr.! Paige graduated from Ithaca College in 2019 with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Studies and a minor in Education. She moved to Rochester in 2021. Aside from her full-time job as a Legal Assistant at Woods Oviatt Gilman, Paige is an adjudicator for the Rochester Broadway Theatre League's Stars of Tomorrow program. Most recently, she choreographed Legally Blonde at Ithaca High School in Ithaca, New York. Other choreography credits include, Seussical the Musical at the Arlington Children's Theatre (ACT) in Arlington, Massachusetts, Spring Awakening at IC Second Stage at Ithaca College, and several pieces through Ithaca College's student-run dance company, IC Unbound. Paige spent her time during the pandemic teaching 305 Fitness cardio dance classes virtually. Additionally, Paige was a Teaching Artist at the Hangar Theatre in Ithaca where she taught musical theatre dance classes for children. Much of Paige's choreography is influenced by classic musical theatre jazz, specifically Bob Fosse. She would like to thank her partner, Parker and her dog Chanel for their unconditional love and support through all her endeavors.
Michelle's background is in Childhood education and special education with a concentration in technical theatre. She graduated from SUNY Geneseo in 2017 and proceeded to work full time as a lighting technician. While in college Michelle stage managed 4 different productions for her college and worked in the scene shop for 4 years. She was also the charge painter for her school's theatre department for 2 years. Michelle started working at Geva theatre center in 2014 part time and full time as an overhire electrician and spot light operator in 2017. In 2018 She moved to Onley, Maryland at Olney theatre center as a lighting apprentice where she worked alongside the Master electrician as an integral part of their electrics team. Following her apprenticeship she worked as an over higher technician in the DC area and was later hired as the associate master electrician where she started rediscovering her passion for teaching and was able to virtually teach middle school theatre students about theatre lighting and practices through zoom as well as mentoring the new class of apprentices from college. During this time Michelle also found Renaissance academy Charter school of the arts and came back to teaching at the elementary setting with a drive and passion for the arts. She co-ran an improvisational theater group for before school enrichment and organized the tech for the annual school Gala. Through these activities, Michelle was able to find the spark and connection to have students break out of their shell and shine on stage.
Eli Golding is a multidisciplinary designer and artist from Baltimore, Maryland. He has been making art and working in theatre for over 15 years. He is a recent graduate of Syracuse University with a BFA in Theater Design and Technology. As a designer and director, his work has been featured in Syracuse, Rochester, New York City, and Baltimore. Select credits include The Pocket Park Kids - World Premiere (Scenic Design, NYC Children’s Theater), Mary Poppins (Scenic Design, MJTS), Head Over Heels (Lighting Design, SU Department of Drama), Melancholy Play (Scenic Design, SU Department of Drama), Zelda The Musical - American Premiere (Projections Design, CCBC Essex), and Pitsl: A Miracle Play - World Premiere Reading (Director, Syracuse University).
Nyah Krug is a high schooler from Chili. She first joined Stages in 2017, and outside of performing has experience in costume design, stage crew, and stage management. She continues to perform regularly in Stages’ high school shows as well as being involved in stage managing for the younger age groups, and is grateful to be a part of the Stages community.
Garett Pembrook is a NYC based Lighting Designer who began his career lighting shows at A Magical Journey Thru Stages when he was 12 years old. He has designed in theaters around NYC including at Off-Broadway venues such as Theater555 and Soho Playhouse. He currently works in the office of Ken Billington where he has assisted Ken on projects including Regional, Off-Broadway, West End, and Broadway productions. He has also assisted on productions at The New Victory and Queen’s Theater in NYC. Garett has a BFA in theater design and technology from Syracuse University.
Jamie is a graduate of Nazareth College, where she studied Technical Production with a focus on Stage Management, Lighting Design, Sound Design, Costume Design, Set Design, and Theatrical Makeup. She has been involved with Stages for several years and brings over three decades of experience in Technical Theater.
Elise Steele is a senior at Irondequoit High School. She has done over 20 shows at Irondequoit High School, Stages and the JCC for stage crew, set painting and stage management. She plans on attending SUNY Oswego to pursue a major in theatre to continue stage managing. She would like to thank everyone involved at Stages for all the work they do and the support they have shown.