NJ JUNIOR Thespian sTATE BOARD
Each NJ Jr. Thespian State Board Member brings something unique and special to the table.
Collaboration. Education. Passion.
The board is responsible for planning and executing the NJ Jr. Thespian Festivals,
giving advice on chartering troupes, and advocating for middle school theatre.
Our core values are providing an educational space for students to learn and celebrate theatre.
Collaboration. Education. Passion.
The board is responsible for planning and executing the NJ Jr. Thespian Festivals,
giving advice on chartering troupes, and advocating for middle school theatre.
Our core values are providing an educational space for students to learn and celebrate theatre.
meet the team:
carolyn little
New Jersey Chapter Director
Carolyn Little has been the New Jersey Chapter Director of the Educational Theatre Association since 2013. She has a bachelor’s degree in English with a minor in Human Services and a concentration in Secondary Education from Montclair State University. She also holds a master’s degree in Higher Education: Leadership for Student Success from Walden University and a master's degree in Theatre from Regent University. She began her career in 2002 at Toms River High School North, in Toms River, NJ, teaching English and Theatre. She directed the after-school theatre program there since 2006 which included the musical, fall and spring plays, and the International Thespian Society Troupe #7455. She recently accepted a position as a theatre instructor at the Grunin Performing Arts Academy in Toms River, NJ. Carolyn serves on the ArtsEdNJ September Ready Taskforce, the Count Basie Theatre's mindALIGNED Programming Committee, and the Educational Theatre Association's Broadway Back to School Committee. In 2013, she received the United Way's Live United Young Altruistic Professionals Award for her creation of Operation Storm TROUPErs, a community-service group serving those impacted by Superstorm Sandy. In 2018, Carolyn was honored to receive the Educational Theatre Association's National Inspirational Theatre Educator Award. In 2021, she was humbled to be nominated and awarded the New Jersey Thespian Educator of the Year. "Art is important. We tend to think it is a luxury, but it gives people deep pleasure because beauty is the personification of hope that something grander is at work." - Gil Dellinger
Contact info: [email protected]
Contact info: [email protected]
Lucinda fisher
NJ Junior Thespian Coordinator and Festival Director
A member of both the International Thespian Society and Alpha Psi Omega in high school and college, Lucinda Fisher is a proud NJ Jr. Thespian Troupe leader for troupe #89733 at Delaware Township School, where she is a middle school Special Education teacher and the advisor for the Drama Club, Jr. Thespian Society, Dance Academy, and the Middle School Play. Lucinda Fisher graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson University as a double major in Theater Arts with a concentration in Acting and in History Education and later, from the same institution, received her Masters in Education. She later received her second Masters in Special Education from Rutgers University and is currently working on her Doctoral degree for Educational Leadership from Centenary University. She has worked in theater both professionally and leisurely outside of school, performing with
various companies throughout the tristate area. Outside of school, she has directed numerous local productions, taught private music, dance, and voice lessons, and serves as an evaluator for the Rising Star Awards at Papermill Playhouse and for the Central Jersey Marquee Awards. She is also the director of summer theater at The Perkiomen School and the former director of children's theater at Music Mountain Theatre. She has no greater joy in life than in inspiring her students by passing on her love of theater and in her spare time, she enjoys time on the beach in LBI with her family and travelling the world with her husband.
Contact info: lfisher@njthespians.org
various companies throughout the tristate area. Outside of school, she has directed numerous local productions, taught private music, dance, and voice lessons, and serves as an evaluator for the Rising Star Awards at Papermill Playhouse and for the Central Jersey Marquee Awards. She is also the director of summer theater at The Perkiomen School and the former director of children's theater at Music Mountain Theatre. She has no greater joy in life than in inspiring her students by passing on her love of theater and in her spare time, she enjoys time on the beach in LBI with her family and travelling the world with her husband.
Contact info: lfisher@njthespians.org
MELISSA JACKSON
Sponsorship Coordinator
A member of the International Thespian Society in high school, Melissa Jackson is a
proud NJ Jr. Thespian Troupe Leader for Troupe #10464 at Burlington Township Middle
School, where she is a Theater and Literacy teacher and the director of the fall play and
spring musical. Melissa Jackson attended Montclair State’s BFA program in Acting and
Directing. She later received her BA with a double major in Secondary Education and
English Literature from Rider University. She is currently in the master’s program for
Educational Leadership at Wilmington University. She has worked in both professional
and amateur venues as well as for an Entertainment Company as a singer. Outside of
school, she has directed numerous productions at Kelsey Theatre on the campus of
Mercer County Community College. She is also the Director of the Tomato Patch Visual and Performing Arts Workshops at Kelsey Theatre during the summer where she has been for 22 years. In her spare time, she loves spending time with her five rescue pups and very supportive husband on her small farm.
proud NJ Jr. Thespian Troupe Leader for Troupe #10464 at Burlington Township Middle
School, where she is a Theater and Literacy teacher and the director of the fall play and
spring musical. Melissa Jackson attended Montclair State’s BFA program in Acting and
Directing. She later received her BA with a double major in Secondary Education and
English Literature from Rider University. She is currently in the master’s program for
Educational Leadership at Wilmington University. She has worked in both professional
and amateur venues as well as for an Entertainment Company as a singer. Outside of
school, she has directed numerous productions at Kelsey Theatre on the campus of
Mercer County Community College. She is also the Director of the Tomato Patch Visual and Performing Arts Workshops at Kelsey Theatre during the summer where she has been for 22 years. In her spare time, she loves spending time with her five rescue pups and very supportive husband on her small farm.
JOAN SCHUBIN
Member at Large
Joan received her Bachelor's of Music in Music Theatre from Westminster Choir College, and her Master's in Theatre Education from Emerson College. She is a full time performing arts teacher at Timberlane Middle School in Pennington, NJ. She teaches both 7th and 8th grade honors and intro level classes, directs the spring musical, and is the director of Junior Thespian troupe 89533. She began her career as a theater teacher over a decade ago at Princeton Charter School. Joan has directed and choreographed at Bridgewater Raritan HS, Immaculata HS, Princeton High School and West Windsor High School South. Her productions have won multiple Montclair University Foxy Awards for Direction, Outstanding Ensemble, Outstanding Lead Actor, and Overall Production. Joan is a strong believer in educational theatre, and looks forward to bringing more opportunities to middle schoolers across the state!
Nicholas Flagg
Social Media Coordinator
- Nick attended Rowan University and majored in both Theatre and Advertising. From the same university, he then received his Masters of Science in Teaching, and is certified to teach Theatre K-12 in the state of NJ. During undergrad and grad school, Nick worked with several social media teams as a paid lead-photographer and social media coordinator. Now, Nick teaches theatre full time for grades 6th, 7th, and 8th grade at Williamstown Middle School. He directs the school-wide spring musical, talent show, theatre showcases, and is the NJ Jr. Thespian Director for Troupe 12063. Across the Greater Philadelphia region, Nick has worked with many theatre companies and programs as an actor, director, stage manager, photographer, TYA performer, and teaching artist. When not in the theater, you can find Nick freelancing for his photography business, planning a trip to the city or Jersey shore, cheering on Philly sports, and spending time with friends and family. “Find the fun.” www.nick-flagg.com @wmstheatre__
Amy Leso
Outreach/Advocacy
Amy Leso, a graduate of Glassboro State College, now Rowan University, with a BA in Elementary Education/Child Drama, has been teaching for 28 years. She is the 7th and 8th Grade Drama Teacher and 6th Grade Visual & Performing Arts Appreciation Teacher at Orchard Valley Middle School in Washington Township, Gloucester County. She is also the advisor of the Drama Club, Stage Crew, OVTV News Team, and proud leader of Troupe 89550. Throughout each school year, she directs the Fall Play, Spring Musical, Talent Show, Middle School Idol Contest and runs the “Rally at the Valley” which is a reward event for the students. She was a lifelong member of West Deptford Little Theatre and sat previously on the Board of Directors for both West Deptford Little Theatre and Deptford Theatrical Productions. She has been the director of the Miss West Deptford Scholarship Pageant for 30 years and is also a high school girls soccer coach. She is also employed by West Deptford Township as the Summer Recreation Program Director. She is very excited to be part of the NJ Junior Thespian Board and is looking forward to bringing the festival back!
Zach Bates
Workshops Coordinator/Merchandising/IT
Zach joined the NJ State Board in 2015. He’s a 2013 graduate of the Gloucester County Institute of Technology’s Academy of Performing Arts & Troupe 5480. Zach is a certified EMT in both NJ & PA. Zach is heavily involved with EdTA, serving on the Advocacy Leadership Network & the Thespy Committee. He serves NJ as the Advocacy, Workshop, Fundraising, Adult Awards & Outreach Chairs. Zach is the Secretary to the School Nurse at GCIT and the Co-Thespian Troupe Director. In 2023, he was named the Support Staff of the Year and was inducted into the GCIT CTSO Wall of Fame for his work with both Thespian and SkillsUSA. He’s the 2012 SkillsUSA National Gold Medal Winner, advocating for suicide & mental health awareness. He was also named the 2018 EdTA Volunteer of the Year with the ALN & the 2019 ArtPride New Jersey's Distinguished Arts Advocate presented at the New Jersey Governor's Awards in Arts Education. In June 2023 & June 2024 - the team at GCIT received the Superior Educator Award at the International Thespian Festival Thespy Awards for having the highest number of student superior medals at the festival.
Thank you to our past board members:
jessica o'brien
Former Workshop Coordinator and Social Media Coordinator
Jessica has an M.A. in Theatre from Villanova University and a B.A. in Musical Theatre/Theatre Performance from Marymount Manhattan College. She is the Drama Advisor/Director at Brick Memorial High School, Troupe #3411. She serves on the high school state board as the Workshop Coordinator. Jessica works as the Education and Outreach Coordinator at the Count Basie Center for the Arts and is a Guest Lecturer at Rosemont College. She works professionally as a Director/ Choreographer and has staged more than 200 productions. She is a four-time IMEA Award nominee for Outstanding Direction of a Musical and Outstanding Production of a Musical (Gypsy, The Last Five Years). She is a nine-time NJACT Perry Award nominee, and two-time winner for Outstanding Choreography (Me and My Girl, Crazy for You). She is a two-time Count Basie Award nominee for Outstanding Choreography (Crazy for You, The Little Mermaid). In 2017, Jessica was the youngest Choreographer to be inducted into the NJACT Hall of Fame.
MARIA STADTMUELLER
Former Member-at-Large and Newsletter Co-Coordinator
A 1984 NJ Governor’s Award Recipient in Theatre Arts, she studied at both Penn State and Rutgers Universities. She studied theatre under the late, great Victor R. Saginario. She taught Computers at Christ the King School in Manville for 7 years and was the Drama Director for the Musical, Tournament Play, Forensic Team, Debate Team, Jr. Thespian Society Troup#88909, Journalism Club, and coached the Softball Team . She taught Computers and Religion at St. James School in Woodbridge for 2 years, and has been Theatre Director at St. Augustine School in Kendal Park for the last 6 years. Under her direction, CtK was Awarded Best Production 2015; Best Actress, Best Actor, Best Solo Performer 2014; Best Actor, Best Production, Best Solo Performer 2013; Best Production, Best Actress 2010; Best Ensemble 2009 at Buck’s Cty Playhouse. Under her direction, CtK was Awarded 2nd place in Debate in Fall 2014 at Union Catholic HS. Her St. A’s troupe was awarded 5th Place Humor in 2020 and 3 rd Place Duo Improv in 2017 at Union Catholic while her CtK troupe was awarded 5th Duo 2011 and 1st & 4th Place Duo 2010 at Union Catholic. She was a Master Trainer for 20 years for GSRHC, training 3000+ adults in Leadership and was awarded the highest award given to Adults in GS, the Thanks Badge. She loves doing theatre with her 3 adult daughters who work as Vocal Director, Choreographer, and
Casting Director alongside her. When she is not in rehearsal, she is tutoring students in SAT
Prep, Pre-Calc, College Chemistry, College Statistics, College English, and most other subjects
and levels. She met her husband of 33 years when they did a show together at Somerset Valley
Playhouse.
Casting Director alongside her. When she is not in rehearsal, she is tutoring students in SAT
Prep, Pre-Calc, College Chemistry, College Statistics, College English, and most other subjects
and levels. She met her husband of 33 years when they did a show together at Somerset Valley
Playhouse.
LILLIANNE P. TORRENTE
Former Sponsorship Coordinator and Newsletter Co-Coordinator
A founding member of the board, Lillianne is a retired educator with over 30 years experience. Most recently, she retired from her 20+ years as a performing arts faculty member at Ranney School in Tinton Falls, NJ, where she taught music and theatre classes to children in PreK through 12th grade. Outside of the classroom, she has produced and directed numerous productions, taught private music and voice lessons, and served as advisor to nationally recognized honor society chapters of Jr. Tri-M Music Honor Society®, Junior Thespians Troupe, and National Speech & Debate Team. Mrs. Torrente feels strongly about giving back to the community, and in doing so has served as a Cantor and Children’s Music Minister at her local church, St. Gabriel’s Parish in Marlboro. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Wagner College and her professional affiliations include ACDA, NAfME, NJMEA, NJAIS, and NSDA.
veda rouze
Former NJ Junior Thespian Coordinator
Veda is a theatre-maker, and theater advocate. From 2015—2023, Veda served as the New Jersey Junior Thespian Coordinator for eight years— working with NJ Chapter Director, Carolyn Little to develop and grow New Jersey's Junior Thespian program for middle schools across the state. Starting with only three Jr.Thespian troupes... Veda, Carolyn, and the NJ Jr. Thespian State Board were able to develop six in-person and virtual festivals with over 300 attendees at each (including school showcases, interactive workshops, and performance events), foster relationships with teaching artists and Broadway professionals, create fully functioning state adult and student boards, lead a Jr. Thespian Next Frontier workshop at the 2018 Educational Theater Association Summit, consistently charter new NJ Junior Thespian troupes, become a model state for Junior Thespians across the nation, and so much more. From festivals to workshops to celebrating theatre all year long, we built a beautiful community together. From nothing came something, and it was definitely something special. Veda is passionate about supporting non-profits and enhancing theatre arts education and has a profound interest in the communicative and transformative power of theatre. Veda would like to thank anyone and everyone who helped make NJ Jr. Thespians a joyous place to celebrate theatre together. Veda is a former NJ State Thespian Officer and also an alum of NJ Thespian troupe #6185.
Kimberly welch
Former Advocacy/Outreach
Kimberly has been teaching for over 20 years. She is a full time middle school theatre teacher at Ocean Township Intermediate School. Kimberly received her undergraduate degree in Theatre and Dance from the University of Texas at Austin. She is also an alumni for the New York City Teaching Fellows Program and Americorp. She received her Master’s in Elementary Education from City College, NY. Kimberly has completed all of her Doctorate coursework (ABD), in Teacher Leadership, from Walden University. Previously, she has taught reading/language arts to middle school students for more than 13 years. For the past 10 years, she has also been an adviser for an after school theater program in Ocean Township. Prior to working in Ocean Township, Kimberly taught reading/language arts, dance, and theatre in a theatre arts middle school in the Bronx. Her career includes acting, directing, and behind the scene work in various productions throughout the country, and working with non profit theatre organizations to promote theatre to students of all ages. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her beautiful family, including her four energetic children. She also loves to travel and watch theatre productions.
Mark ACCARDI
Former Thespys Coordinator
Mark is proud to be one of the founding board members for the New Jersey Junior Thespians. Mark is an 8th Grade Special Education Teacher and Drama Director at Montgomery Upper Middle School. Mark received his master’s degree in Special Education and Educational Leadership from The College of New Jersey. While attending TCNJ, Mark served as President of TMT and enjoyed time on stage and backstage. Mark has always found a home in theater and hopes to help all students find a place in the world of theater.
CAITLIN GIOE
Former Social Media Coordinator
Caitlin teaches 5th and 6th grade Drama at the Stafford Township Intermediate School in Manahawkin, NJ. She grew up in New Jersey, both the north and southern parts of the state. Her favorite place to be is Manahawkin, New Jersey. She is definitely an island child. Caitlin attended college at both Montclair and Glassboro State (now Rowan University). She has a Bachelor of Arts in Children's Theatre and also studied Broadcasting and Elementary Education. She taught preschool for nine years before I came to Stafford. Caitlin has been with Stafford Township School District for thirteen years. She is married and has three beautiful children. When Caitlin is not teaching, she loves photography, going to the theatre, watching movies and reading. She enjoys spending time with her children, going on adventures, and finding new and exciting things to explore.
HOLLI VAN ALBANESE
Former Chartering Adviser
Holli was our amazing chartering advisor from 2017-2019. Thank you Holli!
Once Upon a Time, Holli received her BS in elementary education from Boston University, and has been putting it to good use for the past fourteen years as a teacher and drama director for Freehold Township Schools. The best part of her job is working with some of her best friends to direct casts of approximately 100 students each year in the Eisenhower Middle School musical. Theater Nerd Fact: Holli was an original member of the Idina Menzel fan club in 1996...(that's 17 years before Elsa "Let it Go...").
Once Upon a Time, Holli received her BS in elementary education from Boston University, and has been putting it to good use for the past fourteen years as a teacher and drama director for Freehold Township Schools. The best part of her job is working with some of her best friends to direct casts of approximately 100 students each year in the Eisenhower Middle School musical. Theater Nerd Fact: Holli was an original member of the Idina Menzel fan club in 1996...(that's 17 years before Elsa "Let it Go...").
Michele greenspan
Former Workshop Co-Coordinator
Michele was our wonderful Workshop Co-Coordinator from 2016-2017, and one of our original board members. Thank you Michelle for all of your hard work!
Michele Greenspan has her bachelor's degree in Theatre Arts, with a concentration in Directing, and English, with a concentration in Secondary Education from Muhlenberg College. Michele currently teaches 6th and 7th Grade Language Arts at Carl H. Kumpf Middle School in Clark, NJ. She also co runs the after school Drama/Improv as well as co-directs the school musical. Michele was a part of the inaugural NJ thespian festival in 2017 and she excited to see what it will become.
Michele Greenspan has her bachelor's degree in Theatre Arts, with a concentration in Directing, and English, with a concentration in Secondary Education from Muhlenberg College. Michele currently teaches 6th and 7th Grade Language Arts at Carl H. Kumpf Middle School in Clark, NJ. She also co runs the after school Drama/Improv as well as co-directs the school musical. Michele was a part of the inaugural NJ thespian festival in 2017 and she excited to see what it will become.