BWW Stage Mag Seussical- Jungle of Nool Cast - North Star Theater Company Stage Mag

 
 
 
 
 
 

Meet the Company

Caeley Arellano

Young Kangaroo
Caeley Arellano - Young Kangaroo Caeley is so excited to be making her debut in Seussical as Young Kangaroo. This is her very first show with NSTC. She has had so much fun working with everyone, especially Julia Kadar. Julia has been extremely kind to her since day one. Caeley takes voice lessons at Elisa Girlando Studios. She would like to thank her vocal coach Tessa Gori for helping her get to where she is today. Caeley would like to thank anyone else who has helped her on her journey to being the performer she is today.

Megan Armstrong

Bird Girl
Megan Armstrong - Bird Girl This is Megan’s first show at NSTC! She has been in various shows at Sparta High School including The Little Mermaid (Allana) and Newsies (Katherine). She wants to thank all of those who have been supporting her on and off stage! She is so excited for you to see the show!

Felicia Artrip

Who Ensemble
Felicia Artrip - Who Ensemble Felicia is happy to be back this summer for another production with North Star, and is beyond excited to be playing Mrs. Mayor in the Planet Who Cast of Seussical! This is her ninth production with NSTC, and her seventh on-stage. Last fall, she took a stab at stage managing with NSTC's production of Our Town, and is happy to be returning to the role for our upcoming production of The Full Monty. Her most recent role was Kaylee in The Prom, which opened this past May at Dover Little Theater. Felicia is ecstatic to be part of this cast and this theater company, and thanks her family and her best friends Dom and Destiny for the support. To the cast, break a leg!

Carter Bambara

Who Ensemble/Cadet
Carter Bambara - Who Ensemble/Cadet Carter Bambara is making his NSTC debut in Sparta, NJ. Carter plays clarinet and enjoys horseback riding. His favorite thing about NSTC is making new friends. Thanks to Mom, Dad, and Rylee.

Kerri Batche

Yertle the Turtle
Kerri Batche - Yertle the Turtle Kerri started performing over 50 years ago. Favorite past roles have included Rizzo in Grease, Sally Bowles in Cabaret, and Lucy in You're a Good Man Charlie Brown. For the past 6 years, she has been directing for both the Hopatcong High School and Middle School drama programs. Getting back on stage after a twenty-year hiatus is a bucket list item and she is honored to participate in this production with a cast that is so stunningly talented.

Cassia Beirne

Cindy Lou Who/Cadet
Cassia Beirne - Cindy Lou Who/Cadet Cassia is thrilled to be in another North Star production after appearing as Young Fiona in Shrek! She just finished the PJMS production of “Mary Poppins” as Jane Banks, and she has appeared as Young Anastasia in Anastasia, Emma in Christmas Carol, to name a few. She thanks her family for all the love and support!

Hilary Beirne

Mrs. Mayor
Hilary Beirne - Mrs. Mayor Hilary is thrilled to be back on stage with North Star after appearing in both Shrek and Our Town. Originally from NYC, Hilary has been performing all her life, and is very proud to share the stage with her daughter, Cassia! Love to John & Callan… Proud Advisory Board member of North Star as well!!

Max Cagno

Vlad Vladikoff
Max Cagno - Vlad Vladikoff Max Cagno has been with NSTC since 2021 and has been in shows with them ever since. He has been in shows like The Tell-Tale Heart as Cop #2, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat as Guard and an Ishmaelite, Shrek as a Guard, and was last seen in Our Town as Sam Craig. Seussical will be his latest show with North Star and his favorite things about the theater company is bonding with his fellow co-stars and reviving gifts after a performance.

Julia Chmielowiec

Jungle Ensemble/Hunch
Julia Chmielowiec - Jungle Ensemble/Hunch This is Julia’s fourth show with NSTC, she was previously a dancer in An Evening In Spoon River, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Shrek! She is so excited to be back as an ensemble member for Seussical this summer! Thank you to my family and to Apple Juice for always supporting me! Break a leg everybody!

Sheena Covert

Who Ensemble/Cadet/Hunch
Sheena Covert - Who Ensemble/Cadet/Hunch Seussical is Sheena's second musical performance with NSTC. In 2022, she performed in Shrek the Musical; she was Peter Pan, a Duloc Dancer, and a Tap-Dancing Rat. This year in Suessical, Sheena will be a Who from Whoville, a Cadet, and a Tap-Dancing Hunch. She is extremely excited to continue learning and growing with the North Star Constellation. She is ecstatic to be back on the stage, sharing laughter and the love of theater arts. Sheena enjoys singing, drawing, dancing, growing in her CFFC community, and most importantly spending as much time as possible with her children, Destiny and Rylee. Thank you to Destiny, Rylee, and Mom for their continued support and guidance through these adventures away from reality and home. Truly BLESSED!

Natalie Rose Crespolini

Jojo
Natalie Rose Crespolini - Jojo Natalie Rose Crespolini is thrilled to be returning to North Star for another summer of musical theater. Some favorite credits include ensemble/crew in The Play That Goes WRONG, and The Prom as she was really too young to be included, as well as the title role in OLIVER!, People Garden (Adam), Wizard of Oz (Mayor Of Munchkin City), SHREK (Young Fiona), and Lost in Yonker (Arty), When not onstage Natalie can be found playing softball (Go Rage!). She can also be found playing the role of student at Randolph Middle School. She would like to thank the staff and the cast for making rehearsals so fun. She also would like to thank her grandparents, friends, and teammates for their support. Especially her mother, who is her favorite audience member, and her father, who is her favorite costar after Julia.

Russ Crespolini

Horton
Russ Crespolini - Horton Russ is thrilled to be back with North Star for another summer spectacular. Some favorite credits include, The Show That Goes WRONG (Robert), The Prom (Barry), SHREK (Lord Farquaad), The Addams Family (Fester), OLIVER! (Bumble/Bill Sikes), Lost In Yonkers (Louie), The Secret Garden (Archie), Guys and Dolls (Nicely Nicely Johnson), The Producers (Roger Elizabeth Debris), and The Scarlet Pimpernel (Chauvelin). When not onstage, Russ can be found teaching at Saint Elizabeth University or living out his J. Jonah Jameson fantasies as a Managing Editor for Patch.com. Russ would like to thank Kelly and all his North Star family for being as kind as they are talented. He is especially thankful to share this experience with Tracey, Lex, Julia, and his daughter Natalie (all those years singing Alone in the Universe in the car paid off). Lastly, Russ would like to thank his wife for always being there in the audience alongside his in-laws and his parents who taught him "Anything's Possible."

Becca Fasano

Jungle Ensemble/Cadet
Becca Fasano - Jungle Ensemble/Cadet BECCA FASANO This will be Becca’s second production at NSTC (Joe Crowell Jr. in Our Town). Other favorite roles include: Title role in Peter Pan Jr. (Newton Theater Arts), Jovie in Elf Jr. (Impact Performing Arts), and most recently, “Director 2” in Teen One Act Jamboree (Stageworks Theater Group). Becca will be performing as Doody in Grease this summer at Impact Performing Arts and excited to attend Sussex Tech as a freshman this fall in the Theatre Arts program. Thanks to Mom, Dad and Elena for their love and encouragement!

Christopher Flatt

Cat in The Hat
Christopher Flatt - Cat in The Hat Christopher is honored and thrilled to be portraying The Cat in The Hat in Seussical. Chris had participated in Northstar's previous musical production in Shrek The Musical as The Big Bad Wolf and is excited to be back with Northstar Theatre Company! Chris graduated from Sussex County Community College in 2022, where he has done many shows including The Theory of Relativity, The Man in Tell Tale Heart, Mr. Hale in Trifles, and a multitude of parts in Everybody. When Christopher is not acting, he is playing music on his guitar or drums. Special thanks to family and friends for their continual support and encouragement.

Thomas Fossett

Who Ensemble
Thomas Fossett - Who Ensemble My name is Thomas Fossett and I attend Sparta High School where I will be a sophomore in the fall. I love to sing and play instruments like the saxophone and piano. I am part of Sparta High School’s marching band and I have been accepted into the honors wind ensemble and honors choir programs for the upcoming school year. I am also a student at Elisa Girlando Studios. Additionally, I have an avid interest in musical theater, which started in 6th grade when I was cast as an ice worker in Sparta Middle School’s production of Frozen, Jr. and Disney’s Descendants, taking on the role of Carlos. From there I went on to do other musicals like A Christmas Carol as Jonathan and Once Upon An Island, both at Cornerstone Theatre, followed by Sparta High School’s production of Little Mermaid and Brundage Park Playhouse’s Once Upon a Mattress, taking the role as Sir Studley along with a featured dance role in the prologue. My favorite role was Carlos in Descendants because it was such a great closing to my 8th grade year and I made a bunch of new friends. As I move on to get more musical theater experience, I’m proud to be a part of North Star's production of Seussical!

Jay Granholm

Wickersham
Jay Granholm - Wickersham Jay Granholm is very excited to be making his North Star debut! Some of his favorite previous roles include Walter in The Plot, Like Gravy, Thickens (NHS), Grover from The Lightning Thief (FCFTA), and Dr. Einstein from Arsenic and Old Lace (NHS). When he is not on stage he can be found in his school's Jazz Band and a cappella group. Thank you to everyone who has provided support and love.

Eliza Halteman

Jungle Ensemble
Eliza Halteman - Jungle Ensemble Seussical is Eliza’s 6th show at North Star! Favorite roles include Dragon in Shrek (NSTC), Thomas Aquinas/Soloist in Godspell (NSTC), and Violet in 9 to 5 The Musical (Newton High School). Eliza also enjoys playing trombone in jazz and concert band, singing in her school’s acapella and honor choirs, and singing in the New Jersey All-State choir. Eliza would like to thank her parents, her brother Zach, Ms. Kirschner, Ms. Kelly, and the whole Seussical team for supporting her and giving her this performance opportunity. Enjoy the show!

Jake Hamilton

Who Ensemble/Cadet
Jake Hamilton - Who Ensemble/Cadet Jake is thrilled to make his NSTC debut in Seussical! He was most recently seen as Tommy in the MPAC production of Matilda. Other favorite roles include Donkey in the SMS production of Shrek the Musical, Jr. Jake would like to thank his parents, sister, voice teachers at Elisa Girlando Studios, friends & family, and the entire NSTC creative team for believing in him. He is so grateful for this experience and the friends he's made along the way.

Julianne Handzus

Bird Girl
Julianne Handzus - Bird Girl Seussical is Julianne's second performance with NSTC, with Shrek as a guard being her first. She is a Sparta High School student and has performed as Adella in The Little Mermaid and a Bowery Beauty in Newsies at SHS. She has also performed in many shows at Newton Theater Arts Academy, such as Honk! Jr. as Ida and Peter Pan Jr. as Mrs. Darling. Outside of theater she plays the cello and is color guard co-captain of the SHS Marching Spartans. She would like to thank all of her music, acting, and dance teachers for so much she has learned.

Shea Harrison

Jungle Ensemble
Shea Harrison - Jungle Ensemble This will be Shea's fourth production at Northstar Theater Company (following A Midsummer Night's Dream, Christmas Memories and Magic, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat). Other roles include Wiesel in Newsies (Sparta High School), Reverend Parris in The Crucible (Sparta High School), and most recently Windward the Seahorse in The Little Mermaid (also Sparta High School). Shea will be entering his senior year at Sparta High School this fall. Special thanks to all friends and family who support and cheer him on.

Tracey Lynne Haskell

Mayzie
Tracey Lynne Haskell - Mayzie Tracey Lynne Haskell is excited to join the North Star fam! Regional: In The Heights (Daniela), Ragtime (Sarah’s Friend), Starmites (Diva/Mother). Other: Ain't Misbehavin (Armelia), Falsettos (Dr.Charlotte), Once On This Island (Euralie), Nunsense (Hubert), Into the Woods (Witch), The Life (Sonya), Bat Boy (Meredith), Nine (Luisa), A New Brain (Lisa), The Robber Bridegroom (Rosamund), West Side Story (Anita) and many more. Thank you to the cast and entire team for making all of my Mayzie dreams come true!

Julia Kadar

Sour Kangaroo
Julia Kadar - Sour Kangaroo Julia is so thrilled to be performing with NSTC again this summer as the Sour Kangaroo. Previous performances include Emma in The Prom (Dover Little Theatre), Ursula in The Little Mermaid (Sparta High School), Elizabeth Proctor in The Crucible (SHS), Donkey in Shrek (NSTC), and Narrator in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (NSTC). She is very happy to be performing with so much talent, including her young kangaroo Caeley, and her second family Russ and Nat. She would like to thank her Mom and the rest of her family for their never-ending support.

Blair Lanza

Who Ensemble
Blair Lanza - Who Ensemble Blair is thrilled to be back at North Star! Past North Star productions include Shrek! (Fairy/Dragon’s Knight). A Musical Theatre student at SCCC, she was most recently in their production of The Theory of Relativity as Lipstick Jenny and Aesop and His Fabled Friends as Turtle. A member of both the Cornerstone and Highland Stage Theatres, past productions include Fiddler on the Roof (Chava), Thoroughly Modern Millie (The New Millie), Hairspray (Teen Council), A Christmas Carol (Scrooge’s Mom), Grease (Cast), Footloose! (Cowgirl), Newsies (Cast). Blair is a member of the International Theatre Honor Society and attended STANJ at the Mason Gross School of the Arts. Blair is the 2019 Rising Star SCCC Theatre Award Recipient and a 3.9 Phi Theta Kappa and Psi Beta honor student at SCCC. Blair was selected by the State Department of Education as a Keynote Speaker for their "Dare to Dream Student Leadership Conference." Blair has performed at Ryman Auditorium, Disney’s Candlelight Processional, and made a Nick Jr. commercial. She was a member of Hoboken’s Children’s Theatre Workshop where she performed in Snoopy! and danced with the Ziegler Dance Centre for 18 years. She wishes to thank the North Star Directors and her fellow cast and crew members for a wonderful experience.

Lynnessa Marrow

Bird Girl
Lynnessa Marrow - Bird Girl Lynnessa Marrow is making her NSTC debut in Sparta, NJ. Lynnessa is in the SHS colorguard and is a part of their theater and arts program. Her favorite thing about NSTC is learning choreo and spending time with friends.

Maya McQueen

Bird Girl
Maya McQueen - Bird Girl Maya McQueen is so excited to be back for her second show at North Star this time performing on stage as a Bird Girl. She has been performing in shows since 6th grade, a couple include Freaky Friday as Hannah/Understudy Ellie, Shrek the Musical as Mad Hatter/Guard, and The Addams Family as Uncle Fester. She is going into her senior year at SCTS as Co-President of the Drama Club. On the side, she is Captain of the Cross Country team, Manager of the Track Team, and does Student Council and Math League. She is so fortunate to have met this great group of people and have the opportunity to perform with them again this year.

Molly McQueeney

Wickersham
Molly McQueeney - Wickersham Molly McQueeney is a Senior at Sparta High School and is excited to be playing a Wickersham in Seussical. Other roles in NSTC she has played include Gingey in Shrek the Musical. She has also done many cabarets with NSTC. Outside of NSTC, you may have seen her in Frozen Jr as Olaf, Newsies as Crutchie, and as Flounder in The Little Mermaid. She would like to thank her family for being her number 1 supporters!!!!

Chris Motto

Who Ensemble
Chris Motto - Who Ensemble Chris is delighted to join North Star Theatre Company once again in Seussical. He is grateful to the cast and crew for making the show a wonderful experience and hopes everyone enjoys the show.

Alexis Rizzo

Gertrude
Alexis Rizzo - Gertrude Alexis is thrilled to be returning to the Jungle of Nool playing an absolute dream role. During the day she is an elementary music teacher, directs the Middle School musicals in West Milford and enjoys performing in community theatre. Previous roles include: Wonderful Town (Ruth), Hairspray (Penny), Young Frankenstein (Inga), Shrek (Gingy/Sugar Plum Fairy), Smokey Joes Cafe (Patty) and How to Succeed (Smitty). She is so happy to be performing with North Star again with so many of her favorite people. A huge thank you to the production staff, cast and crew!

Madisyn Rojas

Jungle Ensemble
Madisyn Rojas - Jungle Ensemble Madisyn Rojas is an upcoming sophomore at Centenary University majoring in Animal Health and minoring in Theatre Arts. She first started acting during her high school freshman year in the Theatre Arts shop, but has always had a love for it ever since she was younger. Her first time performing on stage was when she was only 3 years old, starting dance. She has experience in ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, contemporary and musical theater. She is currently in her 14th year of dance. She has performed as an ensemble member in the shows Lion King, Cinderella, Chicago, and “Shrek: The Musical. Her first main role included Grandma in The Addams Family. Madisyn has also been an assistant stage manager for Cemetery Club, part of set crew and costume assistant for Shrek: The Musical. Receiving the Senior Student Arts Award for outstanding achievements in drama and dance was her biggest accomplishment in theatre so far. She wishes everyone the best of luck and has had the pleasure of working with such amazing people!

Ella Simmons

Jungle Ensemble/Hunch
Ella Simmons - Jungle Ensemble/Hunch Ella is honored to perform in her seventh production with North Star as Gertrude in the Planet Who cast. She is grateful to be involved in this show with three of her family members, two onstage and one behind the scenes. Ella is also beyond excited to share the stage with her extremely talented close friends, some of whom she has met through NSTC, which she is forever thankful for. The last musical Ella was involved in was The Little Mermaid at Sparta High School, where she played one of the eels (Flotsam). The last North Star production Ella participated in was Shrek the Musical, where she played Teenage Fiona, Humpty Dumpty, Fairy Godmother, and a Blind Mouse. Ella would like to thank her family and her best friends who support her in endless ways, and who ensure she never gives up on her dreams. Without their constant love and support, she would not be where she is today as a person and as a performer. Ella cannot wait to be involved in this wonderful production, and she says break legs to her wonderful fellow cast mates!

Luke Simmons

Jungle Ensemble
Luke Simmons - Jungle Ensemble Luke is honored to take the stage alongside his family & friends in North Star Theater Company’s production of Seussical as Horton the Elephant. Following being a drummer in the pit orchestras of 4 productions, Luke made the switch to the stage in 2020 as Cogsworth in Sparta High School’s Beauty and the Beast, and most recently performed as Shrek in NSTC’s production last summer. When not acting, Luke studies neuroscience and is a member of the drumline at the University of South Carolina. Luke wants to thank his family for always being his biggest supporters and for his friends for making theater a home away from home. He is excited to share the incredible stories of Dr. Seuss with the most talented cast of amazing people.

Nathan Simmons

General Schmitz
Nathan Simmons - General Schmitz Nathan is the Executive Director of North Star Theater Company and has been involved in multiple capacities on stage, as producer, and in administrative roles for the company since its inception in 2019. Previous NSTC on-stage roles include Scrooge in Christmas Memories and Magic, Jesus in Godspell, multiple roles in An Evening in Spoon River, and Donkey in Shrek. When not involved with North Star, Nathan spends his days as IT Director of Omnichannel Marketing for Ionis Pharmaceuticals. He is honored to share this production experience with his wife Kristine, son Luke, and daughter Ella and is humbled to be part of this amazingly talented cast of Seuss characters.

Emilia Smaldino

Who Ensemble/Cadet
Emilia Smaldino - Who Ensemble/Cadet This is Emilia’s second season performing with North Star Theatre Company. She has previously done shows with The Highland Stage and has danced at Ziegler Dance Center since she was two years old. Emilia would like to thank her family for all of their love and support.

Sadie Smaldino

Jungle Ensemble
Sadie Smaldino - Jungle Ensemble Sadie is very excited to be doing her second show with North Star Theatre Company! You may have seen her as Georgia in Curtains, Female Doctor in Middletown, Rapunzel in Tangled, Avery in Charlottes Web, and Ensemble in Cinderella. She would like to thank her Mom, Dad, Emilia, Oliver, Kylie, Lily, and Faith for all of the support.

Meghan Smith

Bird Girl
Meghan Smith - Bird Girl Meghan is excited to be in her first NSTC production! Some past roles include Mike in Newsies, Atina in The Little Mermaid, and Yvette in Clue. In her free time, Meghan likes to read and crochet. She’s thrilled for the opportunity to perform on her high school stage again and would like to thank her mom for her unwavering support!

Miranda Smith

Who Ensemble
Miranda Smith - Who Ensemble Miranda Smith is so excited to be performing with the NSTC family again this summer! Last summer she played Pinocchio in Shrek the Musical. She has been doing theatre since she was four years old and participated in all four years of Sparta High School’s musicals, one of her favorite roles being Mush from Newsies. She has also been dancing at Dance Expression Dance Arts for 12 years. She can’t wait to continue her love of the arts as a musical theatre major at Nazareth University later this year.

Sabrina Smith

Jungle Ensemble
Sabrina Smith - Jungle Ensemble This will be Sabrina's sixth show with NSTC. Some of Sabrina's favorite roles include Fiona in Shrek the Musical (NSTC), Specs in Newsies (Sparta HS), Vivienne in Legally Blonde (Sparta MS), and Arista in Little Mermaid (Sparta HS). Sabrina has also been a competition dancer at Dance Expression Dance Arts for 12 years. Sabrina is so grateful for her second family at NSTC and she can't wait to share the stage with them again.

Todd Smith

Mr. Mayor
Todd Smith - Mr. Mayor Todd is thrilled to be on the North Star stage again. Previous North Star productions include Sylvia (Greg), Shrek (Shrek), Joseph (Pharaoh), and Godspell (Judas). Todd was fortunate enough to tour nationally with A Chorus Line (Mark), Blue’s Clues Live! (Mailbox) and internationally with Grease (Eugene). He was also seen in Six Degrees of Marvin Hamlisch (Symphony Space) and An Evening with Marvin Hamlisch (The Hollywood Bowl). Other regional credits include Guys and Dolls, The Music Man, City of Angels, Li’l Abner, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, and The King and I. Todd is currently an airline pilot with United Airlines. He has been married to his wife Kelly for 20 years. They have 2 children (Miranda and Sabrina), all of whom he is so lucky to be sharing the stage with in this production.

Sky Sobieski

Wickersham
Sky Sobieski - Wickersham Sky Sobieski will be making her third appearance in a North Star production. They made their debut in Shrek the Musical as Captain of the Guards. She also appeared in Sparta High School's production of The Little Mermaid as a Maid. They have worked tech in an NSTC production as Sound Manager as well. She loves to perform with her North Star family and making new friends. Thanks to Mom, Dad, Brielle, Jared, Luke, and friends for your support :)

Elena Spagna

Bird Girl
Elena Spagna - Bird Girl This will be Elena's first full-scale musical at NSTC. She previously participated in the Cabaret "And Now Back to the Show." Some of her other favorite roles include Mae in Tuck Everlasting, Rhonda in Almost, Maine, and Hannah in Freak Friday. She is excited to be attending Montclair State University for Theatre Education in the fall. She would like to thank the whole creative team for fostering such a wonderful environment, and her dad for doing this show with her.

Joseph Spagna

Who Ensemble
Joseph Spagna - Who Ensemble Joseph is in his 2nd show- and first musical- with NSTC, having played Mr. Webb in Our Town most recently. He has performed in numerous productions in Sussex County over the past several years, including The Music Man and Godspell, and is grateful to his family for their support.

Lori Tomlin

Who Ensemble
Lori Tomlin - Who Ensemble Lori is very excited to be involved in North Star’s production of Seussical. Some of her past shows include Shrek (ensemble), Carrie (choreo & costumes), Pippin (ensemble & costumes), Sister Act (Sister Mary Lazarus & costumes), Beauty & the Beast (choreo & costumes), & Steel Magnolias (Ouiser & costumes). Lori would like to thank her family and friends for their continued support.

Skylar Tomlin

Who Ensemble
Skylar Tomlin - Who Ensemble Skylar Tomlin is extremely excited to be in this production of Seussical! She has previously done the production of Shrek: the musical with North Star Theater Company. She has also been in her school productions at Wallkill Valley Regional High School such as The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Chicago, and most recently The Wizard of Oz. She would like to thank her parents for their continued support of her theater career and for this production team for this amazing show.

Skylar Whitley

Who Ensemble/Cadet
Skylar Whitley - Who Ensemble/Cadet Skylar Whitley is making her NSTC debut in Sparta, NJ. Her favorite productions that she was a part of were Descendants, Shrek and Wonderland. Skylar plays violin and enjoys art, reading & anime. Thanks to my family for their love and support.

Myles Williams

The Grinch
Myles Williams - The Grinch This will be Myles' second production with NSTC. His first role with them was in Shrek as one of Farquad's guards, and the Priest in the final scene. He will be playing the Grinch in Seussical. The summer production with NSTC has been his most anticipated part of the year, as the people involved have made it a genuinely enjoyable experience.

Forest Winegar

Jungle Ensemble
Forest Winegar - Jungle Ensemble This is going to be Forest's first NSTC production since 2019 where she performed in their Christmas Show. Some of Forest's favorite previous roles include Mrs. Time in Freaky Friday and Lurch Understudy in Addams Family (both at SCTS). Forest cannot wait to perform in Seussical and work with the amazing people at NSTC again. Thank you Mom for driving her to and from rehearsal and sitting in her car while they happened. Thank you Dad for always supporting them.

Sara Bartlett

Assistant Director
Sara worked professionally in film, TV and theatre in Los Angeles right out of college. Moving to the Midwest, she worked at The Human Race theatre in Ohio and then moved to Indiana where she directed for several schools, started The Musical Mission Tour and was the Director of Education and Outreach for South Bend Civic Theatre. When she moved to NJ she directed at Veritas Christian Academy and started the youth theatre education program at The Newton Theatre. Sara currently directs for Faith Center for the Arts and is excited to now be working with North Star Theatre Company!

Phil Cocilovo

Prop Construction
Phil Cocilovo - Prop Construction

Kelly Dacus-Smith

Director/Choreographer
Kelly Dacus-Smith - Director/Choreographer Kelly Dacus-Smith (director/choreographer) is pleased to have appeared in North Star’s first ever production, Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream as “Bottom” in 2019. Since then, she has continued to work and grow with the company and is now proudly serving as their Artistic Director as North Star Theater Company continues its mission to bring high quality theater to the Sussex County Area. With North Star she has performed (“Claire” in Fuddy Meers), choreographed (Godspell and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat) and directed: An Evening in Spoon River, Shrek and now, Seussical the Musical. She is truly most pleased about the strong community of artists that North Star has formed and how it continues to grow with each show! Kelly is a graduate of Webster University’s Conservatory of Musical Theater program and lived and worked in New York City as a working actor for more than 15 years before retiring to raise a family in Sparta. Her favorite and most performed show was A Chorus Line in which she performed many roles on the line including “Val”, “Maggie” and “Judy” and was privileged enough to tour Europe as “Kristine.” She is currently in Montclair’s MAT program and begins her student teaching in the fall in the hopes of being an English/Drama teacher for a high school program. She is happy that her husband, Todd, and talented daughters, Miranda and Sabrina, are willing to go along on these adventures and share the stage with her. She could not do this without them!

Jodi Halteman

Social Media/Marketing
Jodi Halteman - Social Media/Marketing A native of Andover, NJ, Jodi has been singing since her days in the middle school chorus. She caught the acting bug in high school and studied music education at the University of Florida. Always a Jersey girl, she returned to Sussex County where she resides with her singing, dancing, trumpet, and trombone playing family. Jodi has worked as a drama instructor at summer camps and directed the Alpine Players. She previously worked at Alpine School in Sparta and is currently teaching general music at Sparta Middle School. Jodi enjoys performing and is a part of the North Star Theater Company family, where she serves as secretary to the executive board, handles publicity and social media, and most recently was the music director for North Star’s first performing arts camp production of Seussical Junior.

Sarah Hoffman

Co-Stage Manager
Sarah is very excited to be working with North Star for the first time as one of their friendly neighborhood stage managers! With other organizations she has done stage management, set building, and lighting in the past for productions such as Medea, She Kills Monsters, and Hayfever. She wants to thank North Star for this opportunity (especially her fellow Stage Management team), her parents for always being there for her (and giving her rides to rehearsals), and her sister for her love and support. It is truly a privilege to work with such an amazing cast and crew. Enjoy the show!

Linda Kadar

Co-Stage Manager
Linda Kadar - Co-Stage Manager This is Linda's third North Star mainstage production as stage manager (Seussical, Shrek, and Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat). She would like to thank the entire Seussical production team, especially the SM team (Kristine, Sarah, and Annika) for all of the time and effort behind the scenes and around the stage. She would also like to congratulate the amazing cast for all of the hard work and effort that made this show such a success! Her favorite character in this production is the Sour Kangaroo (love you, Julia). A huge hug goes to her family for all of the love and support.

Kaden Kambak

Lighting Designer
Kaden Kambak - Lighting Designer This is Kaden’s third show with NSTC. Kaden has done lighting design for multiple shows in Sparta and with NSTC, as well as stagehand work for multiple shows in South Carolina, including multiple National Tour performances. Kaden is majoring in Theatre Design and Technology, with a focus on Lighting Design, at the University of South Carolina.

Gina Muth

Props Master
Gina Muth - Props Master Gina is happy to be back with North Star Theater Company. This time she is helping backstage with props and crew. She was last seen on stage in November 2022 in North Star's production of "Our Town." Gina has been involved with theater, both on stage & backstage, since childhood. Theater is her happy place! Gina loves sharing that passion with her children and has made so many great friends. She is delighted to be part of the North Star Theater constellation!

Christa Piper

Costume Manager
Christa Piper - Costume Manager

Scott Rogoff

Technical Director
Scott Rogoff - Technical Director Scott has been with North Star since his first production Godspell in 2020. He has worked in Community Theater and school theater since Jr. High School in 1972. Scott had supported Theater on an off his whole life but became more involved when he moved to Sparta in 2018. Since Godspell he has worked on Tech for Broadway Cabaret, Farm and Horse show, Fuddy Mears, A Closer Look/21 Chump Street, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Silent Sky, Cemetery Club, Shrek, Our Town, and Sylvia. Scott is the current NSTC Technical Director. He thanks his whole family for the unlimited support for helping him follow what he loves. He is honored to be one of three elected leaders of North Star Theater Company.

Kristine Simmons

Co-Stage Manager
Kristine Simmons - Co-Stage Manager Kristine is thrilled to be a part of the Production Team for the second production with North Star Theater Company as the co-Stage Manager. She has enjoyed being a theater-goer her entire life (Sandy Duncan as Peter Pan on Broadway in the 1970s was her first show and she can still see her soaring over the crowd!). In the mid-2000s, she was a part of Salt and Light Theater in Sparta, NJ and was on stage for the productions of A Christmas Carol (Mrs. Dibler, ensemble), It's a Wonderful Life (female banker, ensemble), Bridge of Blood reading (narrartor/Elisabeth Elliot), and Bow the Knee (ensemble). Last year, she made her debut with North Star Theater Company's Shrek - The Musical as a dancing rat and ran the music tracks for the show. She is thrilled to spend time in the theater with her husband (Nathan Simmons), son (Luke Simmons), and daughter (Ella Simmons) and hopes you all enjoy the North Star Theater Company constellation's production of Seussical!

Nathan Simmons

Executive Director
Nathan Simmons - Executive Director Nathan is the Executive Director of North Star Theater Company and has been involved in multiple capacities on stage, as producer, and in administrative roles for the company since its inception in 2019. Previous NSTC on stage roles include Scrooge in Christmas Memories and Magic, Jesus in Godspell, multiple roles in An Evening in Spoon River, and Donkey in Shrek. When not involved with North Star, Nathan spends his days as IT Director of Omnichannel Marketing for Ionis Pharmaceuticals. He is honored to share this production experience with his wife Kristine, son Luke, and daughter Ella and is humbled to be part of this amazingly talented cast of Seuss characters.

Wally Stanek

Set Design
Wally Stanek - Set Design

Scott Tomlin

Conductor
Scott Tomlin - Conductor Scott is happy to be making his North Star debut as the conductor of Seussical, the musical. Scott is a music teacher in the West Orange Public Schools as well as the marching band director at Sparta High School. Scott is a veteran of musical theater having performed in over 75 pit orchestras as a trumpet player or conductor. Scott would like to thank his wife Lori and daughters Skylar and Olivia, as well as the whole North Star constellation for their support.
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