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BRUCE BAYNE (Chad) is in 7th grade at North Harford Middle School. This is Bruce’s 1st show with Starlight Theatricals. Thank you to everyone for being so welcoming.

 

CLARA BAYNE (Jane) is in 6th grade at North Harford Middle School. This is Clara’s 7th show with Starlight Theatricals having previously been in Finding Nemo Kids as Bruce the Shark, Aladdin Kids as the Cave Guardian, Matilda Jr. as Alice, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat as a member of the children’s choir, and Beetlejuice Jr. and The Wizard of Oz Youth Edition as an ensemble member. Thank you to my family for supporting me.

 

PAUL BOWDEN (Doug) is in 5th grade at Red Pump Elementary School. This is Paul’s 8th show with Starlight Theatricals having previously been in Titanic as Jack Thayer, Finding Nemo Kids as Nemo, Aladdin Kids as the Sultan, The Wizard of Oz Youth Edition as the Emerald City Guard, Matilda Jr. as Michael, 101 Dalmatians Kids as Roger, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat as a member of the children’s choir. With the Star Center, he played Pongo in 101 Dalmatians Kids. Thank you to my family for supporting me.

 

CARLEE BURCHAM (Royal Page) is in 7th grade at North Harford Middle School. This is Carlee’s 6th show with Starlight Theatricals having previously been in Cinderella Youth Edition as the dessert chef, Frozen Jr. as the Bishop, Beetlejuice Jr. as an ensemble member, Matilda Jr. as Nigel, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat as a member of the children’s choir. With the Abingdon Community Theatre, she played the mayor in Rock of Ages Youth Edition. Thank you to my family, friends and everyone who bought a ticket to support us.

 

SADIE BURTON (Auradonian) is in 6th grade at North Harford Middle School. This is Sadie’s 1st show with Starlight Theatricals. Thank you to everyone for being so welcoming.

 

CHARLEY DUDLEY (Jay) is in 6th grade at North Harford Middle School. This is Charley’s 4th show with Starlight Theatricals having previously been in Matilda Jr. and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat as an ensemble member and The Wizard of Oz Youth Edition as a member of the tech crew.

Thank you to my family for supporting me.

 

EMMA EICHELBERGER (Auradonian) is in 5th grade at Emmorton Elementary School. This is Emma’s 4th show with Starlight Theatricals having previously been in Finding Nemo Kids as Sprit, Aladdin Kids as the lamp vendor, and 101 Dalmatians Kids as Sergeant Tibbs. Elsewhere, she played Imagineer 12 in Dare to Dream and Nanny in 101 Dalmatians Kids. Thank you to my mom for supporting me through everything.

 

CAROLINA GALLIHER (Fairy Godmother) is in 8th grade at Fallston Middle School. This is Carolina’s 5th  show with Starlight Theatricals having previously been in Beetlejuice Jr. as an ensemble member, The Wizard of Oz Youth Edition as a tech crew member, and Matilda Jr. as Sergei. She was also a middle school mentor for 101 Dalmatians Kids. With Harford Music and Arts, she played the butler in Frozen Jr., Andy Hosten in Camp Rock, and the cook in Matilda Jr. She was also on the tech crew for Annie Jr. at Fallston Middle School. Thank you to my mom and dad for being so supportive and loving. Thank you to Ms. Nancy for driving me back and forth to practice when needed. Thank you to Sara Handley for coming with me on this journey and being there when I need her.

 

LONDON GRAHAM (Carlos) is in 6th grade at North Harford Middle School. This is London’s 1st show with Starlight Theatricals. At Trinity Lutheran Christian School, she played Yukon Cornelius in Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and at Theatreworks Live, she played a tin lady in The Wizard of Oz. Thank you to my castmates, directors, family, and most of all my mom for their support, encouragement and making this a great experience.

 

SARA HANDLEY (Queen Belle) is in 7th grade at Harford Day School. This is Sara’s 5th show with Starlight Theatricals having previously been in Beetlejuice Jr. as Juno, The Wizard of Oz Youth Edition as the Cowardly Lion, and Matilda Jr. as Agatha Trunchbull. She was also a middle school mentor for 101 Dalmatians Kids. Other shows she has performed in include Willy Wonka Jr. as Mrs. Gloop with Tidewater Players Jr., Elf as Mr. Greenway with Harford Music and Arts, Newsies Jr. as Wiesel with Theatreworks Live, and Frozen Jr. as Sven with Harford Music and Arts. Thank you to Mr. Chuck, Mr. Ben, Ms. Suzanne, Ms. Jasmine, Señora, Mary Kate, and the entire production team of Starlight Theatricals for believing in me and creating a theatre space that truly feels like home. Thank you to Jennifer Biglen for supporting and guiding me throughout my vocal journey, and to Andrea Sarsfield and Rebecca Poole for always believing in me and supporting me in my school productions.

 

ELIZABETH HUFFMAN (Auradonian) is in 6th grade at Edgewood Middle School. This is Elizabeth’s 1st show with Starlight Theatricals. At Abingdon Community Theatre, she was in the ensemble for Moana, Beauty and the Beast, and Aladdin. With the John Carroll Summer Camp, she was in the ensemble for 101 Dalmatians Kids, Finding Nemo Kids, and Frog and Toad. Thank you to my parents for supporting me and encouraging me in all my theatrical productions.

 

MADISON INCHES (Cruella De Vil) is in 8th grade at Perry Hall Christian School. This is Madison’s 15th show with Starlight Theatricals having previously been in Beauty and the Beast Jr. as a Silly Girl, both The Lion King Jr. and Aladdin Jr. as a member of the tech crew, both Rock of Ages Youth Edition and Annie Get Your Gun as an ensemble member, The Music Man Jr. as Mrs. Squires, Sister Act Jr. as Ernie and an altar boy, Cinderella Youth Edition as Queen Constantina, Xanadu Jr. as a siren, Frozen Jr. as Pabbie, Beetlejuice Jr. as the Cigar Mobster, The Wizard of Oz Youth Edition as the Wizard, Matilda Jr. as Mrs. Phelps, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat as an ensemble member. Elsewhere, she was an ensemble member in Legally Blonde Jr. and Mean Girls Jr. with Abingdon Community Theatre, an ensemble member in SpongeBob SquarePants with Tidewater Players, and an ensemble member in Newsies, Karen in SpongeBob SquarePants, an ancestor in The Addams Family, and Whitney in Legally Blonde with Streetlamp Productions. Thank you to everyone at Starlight, my friends, and my family for being so supportive every second that I’ve known them. Love you guys!

 

LACEY JARMER (Auradonian) is in 6th grade at Dallastown Area Intermediate School. This is Lacey’s 1st show with Starlight Theatricals. Elsewhere, she was in the ensemble for The Wonder in Alice with DreamWrights and played Bunsen and Buttons in Newsies Jr. and was an ensemble member in The Little Mermaid Jr. with EMC. Thank you to my sister, Sadie, for helping me work on my auditions and for supporting me.

 

SADIE JARMER (Auradonian) is in 7th grade at Dallastown Area Middle School. This is Sadie’s 1st show with Starlight Theatricals. Elsewhere, she played the Narrator and Peter Quince in A Midsummer Night’s Dream - Youth Edition, Buddy the Elf in Elf Jr. Rina in The Wonder in Alice, and Clara in Coney Island Christmas with DreamWrights, and played Morris Delancey and Olive in Newsies Jr. and Jetsam in The Little Mermaid Jr. with EMC. Thank you to my family for always supporting me, coming to all my shows, and running lines with me. Thank you to my director for Coney Island Christmas for helping me make a name for myself at DreamWrights.

 

EDEN JOURDAN (Coach) is in 5th grade at Forest Hill Elementary School. This is Eden’s 4th show with Starlight Theatricals having previously been in Finding Nemo Kids as Crush, Matilda Jr. as Amanda Thripp, and 101 Dalmatians Kids as the Boxer Narrator. At Bel Air High School, she was in the ensemble for Elf The Musical and was a Lullaby League Munchkin in The Wizard of Oz. At Bel Air Church she was shepherd 1 in The Bethlehem Beat. Thank you to my family and friends for always supporting me. Thank you to the directors and backstage crew who make the show magic happen.

 

PAYTON KOPPENHOEFER (Audrey) is in 5th grade at Grace Community Academy. This is Payton’s 6th show with Starlight Theatricals having previously been in Finding Nemo Kids as Dory, Aladdin Kids as Iago, Matilda Jr. as Erica, 101 Dalmatians Kids as Cruella De Vil, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat as a member of the children’s choir. At Grace Community Co-Op, she played Buffy in The Nightshift Before Christmas and Tia in The Prodigal Clown. Thank you to Ms. Jasmine, Mr. Chuck, Mr. Ben, and Ms. Suzanne for helping me develop my skills on the stage. Thank you to Ms. Aubrey and Ms. Katie for giving me my first role and encouraging me. Thank you to my family and friends for always supporting me and coming to see my shows. Thank you to my fellow cast members for making theatre so much fun.

 

HAILEY KREH (Auradonian) is in 7th grade at Bel Air Middle School. This is Hailey’s 6th show with Starlight Theatricals having previously been in Frozen Jr. as Middle Anna, Beetlejuice Jr. as Death by Toaster, The Wizard of Oz Youth Edition as an ensemble member, Matilda Jr. as The Acrobat, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat as an ensemble member. She has been in multiple shows with Abingdon Community Theatre including Aladdin Jr. as Iago, The Lion King Jr. as Banzai, Seussical Jr. as Baby Sour Kangaroo, Annie Jr. as Rooster, and Dare to Dream as player 7. Thank you to Ms. Jasmine and Ms. Suzanne for always encouraging me and believing in me. Thank you to Mr. Chuck, Mr. Ben, Ms. Mayra, and all the other people who help make me feel at home at Starlight.

 

GIDEON MAY (King Adam/Jafar) is in 5th grade at Perryville Elementary School. This is Gideon’s 4th show with Starlight Theatricals having previously been in Finding Nemo Kids as Marlin, Aladdin Kids as the Genie, and Matilda Jr. as Mr. Wormwood. Elsewhere, he has played Christopher Robin in Winnie the Pooh and Friends. Thank you to Mr. Ben for believing in me and giving me a place where I belong. Thank you to Ms. Suzanne for always supporting me and Ms. Holly for always being so kind and encouraging. Thank you to all my older theatre friends for bringing me in, taking me under their wings, accepting me, and supporting me.

 

RILEY MCKAY (Auradonian) is in 7th grade at North Harford Middle School. This is Riley’s 1st show with Starlight Theatricals. Thank you to my mother, whose unwavering support of my musical theatre passion makes everything possible. Thank you to my aunt for first introducing me to theatre. I would not be here without that initial spark.

 

PENNY MERRITT (Evie) is in 7th grade at St. Stephen School. This is Penny’s 7th show with Starlight Theatricals having previously been in Cinderella Youth Edition as the kid sister, Xanadu Jr. as Polyhymnia, Frozen Jr. as Young Anna, Beetlejuice Jr. as an ensemble member, The Wizard of Oz Youth Edition as the Barrister, and Matilda Jr. as Matilda. At St. Stephen School she was Young Nala in The Lion King Jr. Mrs. Bucket in Willy Wonka Jr., and Gertrude McFuzz in Seussical Jr. Thank you to all my family and friends for supporting me on this journey. Thank you to the cast, crew, and directors for making this experience amazing.

 

DEVYLNN MORSE (Evil Queen Grimhilde) is in 8th grade at North Harford Middle School. This is Devlynn’s 4th show with Starlight Theatricals having previously been in The Wizard of Oz Youth Edition and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat as an ensemble member and Matilda Jr. as Miss Honey. At The John Carroll School, she played Scat Cat in Aristocats. Thank you to my family for supporting me through this journey and my friends for always being by my side. Thank you to all the Starlight cast and crew for accepting me into their family.

 

ANDREW PAQUIN (Tech Crew) is in 8th grade at Patterson Mill Middle School. This is Andrew’s 8th show with Starlight Theatricals having previously been in The Music Man Jr. as Oliver Hix and serving on the tech crew for Cinderella Youth Edition, Xanadu Jr., Frozen Jr., Beetlejuice Jr., The Wizard of Oz Youth Edition, and Matilda Jr. With Abingdon Community Theatre, he played Grandpa George in Willy Wonka Kids and Right Claw in Moana Jr. He has served on the tech crew at Patterson Mill Middle School for both Shrek Jr. and The Little Mermaid Jr. Thank you to my family for always supporting my love of theatre, and all of my friends at Starlight who have been such good friends to me and made me feel welcomed.

 

ASHLEIGH PERKINS (Tech Crew) is in 6th grade at Perry Hall Middle School. This is Ashleigh’s 2nd show with Starlight Theatricals having previously been in Beetlejuice Jr. as an ensemble member. Thank you to my family for supporting me.

 

GARRETT SCARFF (Ben) is in 7th grade at North Harford Middle School. This is Garrett’s 7th show with Starlight Theatricals having previously been in The Music Man Jr. as Olin Britt, Xanadu Jr. as Zeus, Frozen Jr. as Weselton, Beetlejuice Jr. as Maxie Dean, The Wizard of Oz Youth Edition as the Mayor of Munchkinland, and Matilda Jr. as the Escapologist. Thank you to my parents for taking me to rehearsals. Thank you to the high school mentors for helping me to learn the choreography and for assisting me with my makeup.

 

DAISY SETHI (Mal) is in 7th grade at Bel Air Middle School. This is Daisy’s 7th show with Starlight Theatricals having previously been on the tech crew for The Music Man Jr. and Xanadu Jr., and playing Young Elsa in Frozen Jr., an ensemble member in Beetlejuice Jr., the Coroner in The Wizard of Oz Youth Edition, and Lavender in Matilda Jr. Thank you to the directors, my family, and my friends for supporting me. I always have the best time performing on stage with my best friends. Break a leg to the cast and crew.

 

SOFIA SMITH (Maurice) is in 8th grade at Harford Christian School. This is Sofia’s 10th show with Starlight Theatricals having previously been on the tech crew for Aladdin Jr., The Music Man Jr., Sister Act Jr., Cinderella Youth Edition, Xanadu Jr., and Frozen Jr., and being in the ensemble for Beetlejuice Jr., The Wizard of Oz Youth Edition, and Matilda Jr. Thank you to my parents for encouraging my musical theatre addiction and my friends for supporting me in all the Starlight productions.

 

ALYSSA STINNETT (Maleficent) is in 8th grade at Perry Hall Christian School. This is Alyssa’s 5th show with Starlight Theatricals having previously been in Frozen Jr. as Oaken, Beetlejuice Jr. as Barbara, The Wizard of Oz Youth Edition as an ensemble member, and Matilda Jr. as Mrs. Wormwood. At Trinity Lutheran Christian School, she played Alanna in The Little Mermaid Jr. and Nala in The Lion King Jr. She was also in A Christmas Carol at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C. Thank you to my family and friends for supporting me.

 

JACK WALKER (Tech Crew) is in 5th grade at Acellus Academy. This is Jack’s 7th show with Starlight Theatricals having previously been on the tech crew for Finding Nemo Kids, Beetlejuice Jr., Aladdin Kids, Matilda Jr., Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and 101 Dalmatians Kids. Thank you to my family for supporting me.

 

ELIZA WIGGINS (Snow White) is in 6th grade at The Swan Creek School. This is Eliza’s 4th show with Starlight Theatricals having previously been in Beetlejuice Jr., The Wizard of Oz Youth Edition, and Matilda Jr. as an ensemble member. Thank you to my family and friends for supporting me.  

 

NATASHA WILLIAMS (Royal Guard) is in 6th grade at North Harford Middle School. This is Natasha’s 1st show with Starlight Theatricals. Elsewhere, she was in the ensemble for Mean Girls Jr. Thank you to my friend, Sadie, for encouraging me to join Starlight with her.

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STSARLIGHT HIGH SCHOOL MENTORS

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MARY KATE BOWDEN (High School Mentor) is in 11th grade at Bel Air High School. This is Mary Kate’s 26th show with Starlight Theatricals having previously been in Beauty and the Beast Jr. as Lefou, The Lion King Jr. as Zazu, Rock of Ages Youth Edition as Sherrie, Annie Get Your Gun as an ensemble member, Aladdin Jr. as Isir, Young Frankenstein as an ensemble member, The Music Man Jr. as Zaneeta, Sister Act Jr. as Mother Superior, Mary Poppins as Miss Lark, And Then There Were None as Ethel Rogers, Titanic as Caroline Neville, Les Miserables School Edition as Eponine, Grease as an ensemble member, Quiet Summer as Harriet Morgan, Chicago Teen Edition as Mona, The Addams Family as Wednesday, Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat as the Narrator, and Into the Woods as Cinderella. She was also a high school mentor for Cinderella Youth Edition, Xanadu Jr., Frozen Jr., Finding Nemo Kids, Aladdin Kids, The Wizard of Oz Youth Edition, and Matilda Jr. Elsewhere, she played The Mad Hatter in Alice in Wonderland at Bel Air High School, and Madame de la Grande Bouche in Beauty and the Beast and Urleen in Footloose with Theatreworks Live.

 

ETHAN HISER (High School Mentor) is in 12th grade as a homeschool student. This is Ethan’s 17th show with Starlight Theatricals having previously been in The Lion King Jr. as Mufasa, Footloose as Coach Dunbar, Annie Get Your Gun as Pawnee Bill, Young Frankenstein as an ensemble member, Mary Poppins as the constable, And Then There Were None as General MacKenzie, Titanic as Isador Straus, Les Miserables School Edition as Jean Prouvaire, Grease as Roger, Quiet Summer as Tubby Pitts, Chicago Teen Edition as Amos Hart, The Addams Family as Fester Addams, Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat as Reuben, and Into the Woods as The Baker. He was also a high school mentor for Beetlejuice Jr. and Aladdin Kids. Other notable roles Ethan has played include Moai in Moana Jr., Finch in Newsies, Eddie in 13 The Musical, Zeke in The Wizard of Oz, and Walter Hobbs in Elf Jr.

 

BETHANY JAMES (High School Mentor) is in 10th grade at Patterson Mill High School. This is Bethany’s 13th show with Starlight Theatricals having previously been in The Music Man Jr. as a townsperson, Sister Act Jr. as Sister Mary Celeste, Cinderella Youth Edition as a maiden, Xanadu Jr. as Calliope, Les Miserables School Edition as an ensemble member, Grease as Frenchy, Quiet Summer as Pamela Young, Chicago Teen Edition as Annie, The Addams Family as an ancestor, Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat as the Narrator, and Into the Woods as Florinda. She was also a high school mentor for Aladdin Kids. With the Abingdon Community Theatre, she played Ms. Norbury in Mean Girls Jr., Rafiki in The Lion King Jr., Kassim in Aladdin Jr., Pilar in Legally Blonde Jr., Pua in Moana Jr., Violet in Willy Wonka Kids, and the Narrator in Into the Woods Jr. She was part of the Oaken family in Frozen Jr. and was the Big Bad Wolf in Shrek Jr. at Patterson Mill Middle School. She played Jane Harden in Radium Girls and Prentiss in Peter and the Starcatcher at Patterson Mill High School.

 

ARYN KOPPENHOEFER (High School Mentor) is in 12th grade at Fallston Christian Home School. This is Aryn’s 11th show with Starlight Theatricals having previously been in Footloose, Annie Get Your Gun, Les Miserables School Edition, Grease, and Chicago Teen Edition as an ensemble member, Titanic as Mrs. Thayer, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat as the Narrator. She was also a high school mentor for Finding Nemo Kids, Aladdin Kids, and 101 Dalmatians Kids. At Harford Music and Arts, she played Violet in A Charlie Brown Christmas.

 

KEIRA MCCONNAUGHEY (High School Mentor) is in 10th grade at Patterson Mill High School. This is Keira’s 11th show with Starlight Theatricals having previously been in The Music Man Jr. as a townsperson, Sister Act Jr. as Nina and a nun, Cinderella Youth Edition as a maiden, Xanadu Jr., Les Miserables School Edition, Grease, and Chicago Teen Edition as an ensemble member, The Addams Family as an ancestor, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat as the Baker. She was also a high school mentor for Aladdin Kids. With the Abingdon Community Theatre, she was in the ensemble for Legally Blonde Jr. At Patterson Mill Middle School, she was in the ensemble for both Frozen Jr. and Shrek Jr. At Patterson Mill High School, she was Mack in Peter and the Starcatcher.

 

VANESSA PERKINS (High School Mentor) is in 11th grade at Perry Hall High School. This is Vanessa’s 16th show with Starlight Theatricals having previously been in The Lion King Jr., Rock of Ages Youth Edition, and Aladdin Jr. as an ensemble member and Young Frankenstein, The Music Man Jr., Mary Poppins, And Then There Were None, Titanic, Grease, Quiet Summer, Chicago Teen Edition, The Addams Family, Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Into the Woods as a member of the tech crew. She was also a high school mentor for Beetlejuice Jr. At Trinity Lutheran Christian School, she was an ensemble member in both Willy Wonka Jr. and High School Musical Jr, and at Perry Hall High School she was on the tech crew for The Play That Goes Wrong, Rent, She Kills Monsters, The Addams Family, and Amadeus. She returned to Trinity Lutheran Christian School to assist with The Little Mermaid Jr., Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer, and The Lion King Jr.

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STARLIGHT PRODUCTION STAFF

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SUZANNE BOWDEN (Associate Director) is a graduate of West Virginia University with a degree in Visual Arts and Performing Arts. After graduation Suzanne worked in NYC at Joseph Papp's Public Theater, NY Shakespeare Festival at the Delacorte in Central Park, NY Theater Workshop, Playwrights Horizons, Lincoln Center Theater, and Richard Frankel Productions as part of their Stage Management Team. Suzanne was a member of  Actor's Equity while in NY until moving to Maryland to work at Center Stage in Baltimore.  For over 20 years, Suzanne was the Drama Director at Trinity Lutheran Christian School where she was blessed  to work in educational theater with young people.  

  

Mayra Pappaterra (Backstage Manager) is a graduate of the University of Puerto Rico with a Bachelor’s degree in Drama with a minor in Languages and Corporal Movement. She was a member of the Rolling Theater of the University of PR, where she studied classical, experimental and contemporary theater. Mayra went to the Siglo de Oro Spanish Drama Festival Chamizal in El Paso, Texas. She worked giving theater workshops to High School students. Mayra did professional theater in Puerto Rico as a stage manager, assistant director, actress, as well as designing and running lights, and props.  She worked for Cuarzo Blanco Inc., participated in the XIX Festival Internacional de Teatro de Oriente in Barcelona Pto. La Cruz, Venezuela with José Vega also known as Remi the Clown and designed the props for the play “Salvemos el Planeta con Remi”. She traveled the island participating in a play based on the TV show for kids “La casa de María Chuzema”. Since 2012 she has been the Production Stage Manager at Trinity Lutheran Christian School. Mayra is very excited to be a part of the Starlight Team and to bring her talents as the Back-Stage Manager. When she is not backstage Mayra works as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant at the Anne Arundel County WIC program (Woman Infants and Children) coordinating The Breastfeeding/Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Program.

 

CHUCK BOWDEN (Artistic Director / Technical Director) is the founder and managing partner of Starlight Theatricals. He is a faculty member at Bel Air High School where he has taught English, Drama, and Technology for the past 25 years. A graduate of West Virginia University with a BFA in Theatre and the College of Notre Dame of Maryland with a Masters in Education, Chuck worked with the theatre program at Bel Air High for over 25 years serving as the Artistic Director, Technical Director and Scenic  Designer as well as performing in the pit band for the musicals since 1994. He is the co-founder of the North East Theatre Festival and has served as the Co-Executive Director for 12 years. Chuck is currently the Chair of the Harford County Cultural Arts Board, a founding member of the Scottfield Theatre Company and continues to work as a Technical Director and Designer for several community theatres around the region. 

 

BENJAMIN SMITH (Artistic  Director / Choreographer) is the founder and managing partner of Starlight Theatricals. He is a   faculty member at Bel Air High School teaching Government and Economics for the past 26 years. Prior, he taught Social Studies at Chariton High School in Chariton, Iowa. He is a     graduate of Peru State College in Nebraska with a BA in Secondary Education and Towson University with a  Masters in Education. For over 25 years, Ben has been involved with high school theatre serving both as artistic director and choreographer for numerous  productions. He is the co-founder of the North East Theatre Festival and has served as the Co-Executive Director for 12 years. 

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