Angelique Chandler

Hip-Hop

Angelique Chandler started dancing at the age of 2 at Danceforce. She joined the competition team at the age of 5 and continued dancing at Danceforce for 15 years. She has been trained in ballet, jazz, hip hop, tap, acro, modern, pantomime, and lyrical ballet.  She taught many genres including tap, ballet, acro, and jazz. Angelique danced on her high school dance team serving as captain her senior year. That year, her team competed on the TV show MSG Varsity Talent Show and placed 2nd out of 10 groups! After graduation, Angelique joined the dance team at Saint Peters University and was captain during her junior and senior years. Angelique is also an accomplished singer and model, winning several overall titles. She has also served as modeling coach. Having such a wonderful rapport with the children that she mentors enables her to bring the best out of her students. As a choreographer, her dances have won many awards, including Highest Overall Small Group in the 8 & Under Division at 2016 Nationals, and Overall High Score at 2017 Nationals. She admits, ”I love my students like they are my own. My goal is to, one day, see my students have the same passion for dance as I do. I enjoy watching my students performing on stage and seeing how much they’ve grown since the first day of class.”

Amanda Chiarello

Ballet, Jazz/Hip-Hop, Lyrical/Contemporary

Amanda received her Masters degree in Dance Education from the Graduate School of Education at Rutgers University. She also received her B.F.A from Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University.  Amanda trained at Center Stage Dance and Theatre School in East Brunswick, New Jersey.  She was a C.A.T.S dancer for many years at Center Stage. In 2009 Amanda competed at the Youth American Grand Prix where she placed in the competitions top 12.  Amanda has performed in various concerts. She has worked with choreographers such as Doug Elkins, John Evans, and Randy James. She recently was awarded an assistantship from Mason Gross School of the Arts to participate in American Ballet Theaters National Training Curriculum where she received training to teach pre-primary to level 3 students. She assisted instruction to students in pre-primary to level 1 at American Ballet Theaters satellite school at Mason Gross School of the Arts. During the fall of 2014, Amanda interned at Cicely Tyson School of Performing and Fine Arts in East Orange, New Jersey. During her time at Tyson, Amanda had the privilege of working with middle and high school students.

Victoria Constantino

Ballet, Jazz/Hip-Hop, Tap, Gymnastics

Victoria joins us with a passion for dance and gymnastics which has been developed throughout her many years in both disciplines. She started gymnastics and dance at age 3 and has trained extensively in ballet, jazz, lyrical, tap, and acro through high school. In middle school she began her teaching journey as an assistant to her own dance teachers. She is a graduate from William Patterson University with a degree in Early Childhood Education and currently teaches 5th grade. After graduation, she followed in their footsteps and began teaching her own classes. Victoria is USAG safety certified and a certified Professional member. With Victoria’s background working with all ages and styles and her warm personality, we are sure your child will enjoy working with her!

Mickey DeFranco

Jazz, CATS Company Director-Choreographer

Mickey served as choreographer for “Where in Time Is Carmen Sandiego”, as well as the opening dance montage, for PBS television; Metropolis Studios, New York City. She is an active member of Dance Educators of America, and is the director of the national award winning Pre-Professional Center Stage CATS Jazz Company. CATS Alumni have appeared on Broadway in “Elf”, “Memphis”, “CATS”, “Phantom of the Opera”, “Tommy”, “Guys and Dolls”, “Les Miserables”, “Bring it On”, “Mamma Mia”, “In the Heights”, “West Side Story”, “Catch Me if You Can”, “Star Light Express”, “Showboat”, “Carousel”, “A Chorus Line”, “Gypsy”, “Urban Cowboy”; Nationals Tours of: “Fame”, “Footloose”; Euro-tours: “Best of Broadway”, and the Liss Fain Dance Company in San Francisco. Her students have appeared on television and theatres around the country (including “Saturday Night Live”, “Unsolved Mysteries”, “The Today Show”),as well as commercials and industrials.  She has done choreography for Resorts International Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City, and was a Master Choreographer/Teacher for Dance Troupe, Inc.. A guest choreographer with Broadway Dance Center featuring Frank Hatchett, Finis Jhung, and Savion Glover (Bring in Da Noise) in American Heritage (NYC).

Lauren Elsasser

Jazz, Hip Hop

Lauren began her dance training at Center Stage at the age of three. She progressed through all competition companies leading up to the pre -professional C.A.T.S. program. She then went to Rutgers University where she trained in the Mason Gross program and was a member of the nationally ranked Rutgers University Dance Team. On the dance team, she traveled from east coast to west coast performing, competing, and working with various choreographers such as Paige Davis (TV host and Broadway cast of Chicago), Josh Bergese (Choreographer of the hit TV show Smash), and Jon Rua (Performer in the Broadway cast of In the Heights and the original Broadway cast of Hamilton). In her final year, she led the team as captain and received the MVP award. After graduating, she began her teaching career with Universal Dance Association, in which she traveled the country teaching and choreographing for different dance teams. She was also the assistant coach for the nationally ranked Montgomery high School Dance Team from 2013-2015. She has continued to teach all different styles from Hip-Hop to Jazz and Contemporary winning many awards such as a choreography award, multiple overalls in regionals and nationals, and the ultimate entertainment challenge. She is extremely excited to be back at Center Stage, teaching in the place where she grew up and received all her training.

Jessica Fensterstock

Intro to Dance, Tap/Jazz

Jessica has been dancing since a very early age,  receiving her dance training at Center Stage.  As an alumnus, she was a member of our award winning Tap CAT company.   She received her degree from Syracuse University, where she was involved in “Danceworks”, Syracuse’s own student run dance organization . She was a choreographer and dancer for 3 years and continued to choreograph for the Parents Weekend shows.  After living in New York City for several years, Jessica returned to New Jersey to raise her family.  When it was time for her daughter to dance, the obvious choice was to return to her roots, and have her daughter become a second generation Center Stage Dancer.  Jessica is extremely excited to be back at Center Stage, not only as a parent, but now as an instructor.  Her years of dance training allows her to be a well rounded teacher, bringing the fun as well as the discipline of dance to our youngest dancers.

Megan Froio

Ballet

Megan is a proud alumni of Center Stage Dance and Theatre School.  She was a member of the Jr. CATS, CATS and Tap CATS dance companies.   Megan attended the Burklyn Ballet Theatre program and trained with Arthur Leeth from the Boston Ballet company, David Howard from the Royal Ballet, and Robert Barnett from the NYC Ballet.  She also continued ballet and modern dance at Stockton University.  Some of her performances include roles in The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, A MidSummer Nights’ Dream, and Romeo and Juliet.   We are pleased to have Megan back at Center Stage, and joining our Ballet Faculty.

Shannon Garahan

Tap, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Gymnastics

Shannon is an alumnus of CATS, Tap CATS, and Hoofers Club at Center Stage along with many years in the pre-professional acting class and countless leads in Center Stage shows and summer shows.  She has assisted Mickey and George in CATS, Tap CAT, and Jr. CAT classes and has choreographed the summer shows since graduating.  She continues her training at Broadway Dance Center taking weekly classes and summer intensives with Ricky Hinds.  She is currently a member of USA Gymnastics and a wonderful part of our Starz Gymnastics Program.  Immediately after graduating Center Stage, she got her first professional show at Surflight Theatre in “A Chorus Line” under the direction/choreography of Mitzi Hamilton and Jessica Lee Goldyn.  Other favorite show credits include “Anything Goes”,  “CATS”, “Oklahoma!”, “Spamalot”, and “Junie B. Jones: The Musical”.

Sue Garahan

Jazz, Tap, Musical Theatre, Acrobatics, Gymnastics, Company and Show Director

Sue has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Rowan University and is a member of both Dance Educators of America and USA Gymnastics.  She has trained extensively as a dancer and musical theater performer in New Jersey, New York City and London, England. She was a member of her high school gymnastics team as well as a cheerleader in both high school and in college.  Her theater credits include Peggy Sawyer in 42nd Street, Val in A Chorus  Line, Nancy in Oliver!, The Witch in Into the Woods, Gladys in The Pajama Game, Mona Kent in Dames at Sea, Nelly Forbush in South Pacific and Tiger Lily in Peter Pan.   She has been a teacher and the director of the young children’s and older children’s jazz and tap companies at Center Stage Dance for many years.  She has enjoyed developing our young dancers and preparing them for our pre-professional companies throughout the years and has won many choreographic awards for her work with them.  Many of her students have gone on to appear on Broadway, movies and television.

Katrinka Geslani

Ballet, Lyrical/Contemporary, Tap, Jazz/Hip Hop

Senior CAT alum, Katrinka has been part of the Center Stage family since she was 9 years old. She has trained at the Rock School, Briansky Ballet, and American Ballet Theatre, going on to complete her BA in Dance at Rutgers Mason Gross School of the Arts. Beyond her ballet and jazz technique, she has danced with local hip hop performance companies: Fr3sh, Ven15, and currently is a creative director of UFP . Such company memberships have allowed her to dance in hip-hop showcases around the country; from Boston to New York to DC to San Francisco.  A recent ballroom bug has also put Katrinka on the latin competition circuit as she currently trains with the Chmerkovskiy brothers and Tony Dovolani of DWTS. After recently graduating NYU’s MBA program, Katrinka is excited to return to her Center Stage family and share her passion for dance!

Elaine Harned

Voice

Elaine has a Master’s Degree in Voice Performance and Pedagogy (teaching) from Westminster Choir College and a bachelor of Arts from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where she studied pipe organ. She has worked as a paid church soloist in New York City and has many years of experience as an Organist/Choir Director. As a member of the world renowned Westminster Choir, Elaine has sung concerts throughout Europe and Asia as well as in the US with such orchestras as the Philadelphia, the New York and the Berlin Philharmonics in such venues as Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center in New York City. She has also made several professional recordings. As a soloist, Elaine has performed with The Chautauqua Symphony, The Indiana University of Pennsylvania Chorale and Orchestra, The Allegheny Chorale and Orchestra, The Princeton Freshman Choir and Orchestra, The Lehigh University Choir and Orchestra and the Princeton Singers. Elaine has been teaching at Center Stage since 1997, helping many of our students achieve their professional dreams. 

Anne Krug

Ballet, Director of Ocean Ballet Department

Anne is a Center Stage graduate, having worked her way up through the Jr. CATS and CATS companies. As a member of CATS, she competed for national titles and at the Youth of America Grand Prix ballet competition. At the age of 14, she was awarded the New York City Dance Alliance Ballet Scholarship by Daniel Catanach. In her senior year at Center Stage, she performed the lead role of Sugar Plum in our bi-annual production of “The Nutcracker.” She has trained additionally at the Briansky Saratoga Ballet summer intensive, and at The School at Steps under the instruction of Leslie Browne. Anne performed with the Urban Ballet Theater and the Abrons Arts Center Dance Ensemble in Daniel Catanach’s production of “Nutcracker in the Lower,” and is a member of the Ensemble, and an apprentice with the Urban Ballet Theater.

Kathryn Kane Luberecki

Lyrical/Contemporary, Jazz, Ballet

Kathryn joins us, bringing  her  extensive experience as a teacher, choreographer and performer to our students. She holds a Bachelors Degree in Performing Arts/Dance from De Sales University. She has performed professionally with Push Factor Dance Company in NY and ACTion Dance Touring company.  Kathryn has choreographed extensively for competitions and given master dance classes throughout our region.  We are so pleased to welcome her to our Center Stage faculty.

Grace McCann

Ballet, Pointe, Lyrical/Contemporary

Born and raised in central New Jersey, Grace has danced since the age of 3. Her early training began under Graham Lustig’s LustigDanceTheatre working with Lustig, Nancy Dow, Peggy Petteway, Bat Abbit, Lees Hummel, and Jen Cavanaugh. Grace was very fortunate to perform alongside the professional company and gain valuable artistic experience from such a young age. In High School, she began working with Risa Kaplowitz in Princeton, NJ. Grace had the honor of having multiple principal and soloist roles created on her by Kaplowitz including Marie in The Nutcracker and The Autumn Fairy in Cinderella. Following graduation, Grace spent a year with American Repertory Ballet as an Apprentice and performed with the professional company under Former Artistic Director, Douglas Martin. There she was able to work with Mary Barton, Maria Yousekevitch, and Kirk Peterson. She had the privilege of being chosen to perform in Peterson’s premiere of Beauty And The Beast for the company and having a demi-soloist role created on her. Following her time with ARB, Grace was fortunate to be coached by Peterson at Martin Center For Dance in the following principal roles: Etudes, Flower Festival In Genzano, Giselle, Glazunov Variations, Les Sylphides, Lombardi Variations, and Swan Lake. Despite restrictions on performances as a result of the pandemic, Grace was able to share these variations with intimate audiences.

Grace is an ABT® Certified Teacher, who has successfully completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensive in Pre-Primary through Level 5 of the ABT® National Training Curriculum. 

Grace is passionate about providing students a nurturing environment to learn the essentials of ballet technique while expanding their artistry as dancers. She is so honored to be part of the faculty at Center Stage and to continue to share her love of ballet with the next generation of dancers. 

Jill Molinaro

Ballet

Jill has a BA in Dance from Mason Gross Rutgers University and a MA in Dance Performance and Dance Education from New York University. She is a dance educator, choreographer and dancer. She has taught, created, and developed dance curriculum and existing dance programs in New York and New Jersey. She has performed in NY with Gloria McLean, Renenta Celichowska, Elizabeth Douglas, Brenda Baden Semper, Carolyn Webb and John Mead, among others. She is teaching through the Count Basie Theatre Out Reach Education Program, and teaches Master classes in modern dance. Jill recently formed her own modern dance company and continues to teach, explore and create dance.

Danielle Mondi

Jazz/Hip-Hop, Ballet, Lyrical/Contemporary

Danielle Mondi began her dance training at Center Stage working her way up to become a member of the Senior Cats Company.  She then attended Rutgers University, Mason Gross School of the Arts and graduated with a BFA in dance in 2009.  Since graduation, she went on to work with Joyce King/JKDC and Tangerine Dance, Marie Alonzo Snyder , where she has had the opportunity to perform in New York City at The Ailey Citigroup Theater, Harkness Dance Center/92nd Street Y, GreenSpace, Dance New Amsterdam and Manhattan Movement and Arts Center.  In addition to performing, Danielle’s ultimate goal is to teach dance education to children of all ages.  Danielle works  closely with Artistic Director of JKDC, Joyce King, to further develop their dance education program for young dancers and she choreographs for a children’s community theater program.   She also presented  work in Times Square for the Phineaus and Ferb Platybus Tour Kickoff, in honor of the Disney Channels original Movie Phineaus and Ferb: Across the 2nd Dimension.  “Focus on constant improvement and Never Give Up!” 

Tori Moots

Lyrical/Contemporary, Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Acting, Company Director

Tori is a Center Stage Alumnus, where she was a member of CATS, Tap CATS, and three years in the Pre-Professional Acting Class.  She starred in the Center Stage mainstage show for all four years of her high-school, and also appeared in productions of “The Bald Soprano,” “The Laramie Project,” and “The Importance of Being Earnest.”  She appeared for many years in Cabaret for Life, an AIDS benefit.  Since graduating from Center Stage, she studied for two years at Marymount Manhattan College in New York City, taking classes in dance and acting, while simultaneously studying at Broadway Dance Center and Steps.  She recently choreographed a school production of “Beauty and the Beast,” and continued as assistant director the following year.  Upon completion of her Bachelor’s degree in education at Rider University, Tori joined our Center Stage family again, this time as a full time teacher and director of our JAZZ CATS Program.

Kim Moscariello

Musical Theatre

Kimberly is proud to be a Center Stage alumnus and thrilled to be teaching Musical Theatre! While at Center Stage she studied dance and voice. She has previously taught musical theater through the Matawan Student Enrichment Program and Old Bridge Parks and Recreation. She has performed locally in a number of community theaters as well as singing professionally for formal occasions. She is also currently an elementary school teacher with the Old Bridge Public School District. She has degrees in Theater, Musical Theater, Elementary Education from Montclair State University, Masters in Special Education from Monmouth University, and certification in Applied Behavioral Analysis from Penn State University! She is very enthusiastic to use her education and talents in musical theater to enrich the lives of children and continue being a part of the Center Stage Family!

Kamryn Oplinger

Jazz, Hip-Hop, Ballet, Lyrical/Contemporary

Now a college graduate from The Ohio State University, Kamryn has received her Bachelor's in Fine Arts; majoring in dance and minoring in musical theater. Kamryn’s dance journey began at Center Stage Dance and Theater School where she became proficient in all dance styles including: jazz, contemporary, hip hop, tap, modern, lyrical, and theater dance. From there she continued to study with the FPAC program within Howell High School, where her love for choreography began. Within the FPAC program, Kamryn had multiple showcased choreographic pieces throughout their performance opportunities. Throughout these years, Kamryn has also trained and become proficient in acting and vocal techniques. At The Ohio State University, Kamryn had the opportunity to perform and study overseas in Denmark to enhance her dance training and was a collaborating choreographer for the piece presented in Denmark. Kamryn has also been a dance educator since August of 2021 at Dance Extension in Dublin, Ohio. She has also worked as a competition judge at Dance Prodigy in Lima, Ohio. In the summer of 2023, Kamryn worked as the Assistant Choreographer for Plays- in- the- Park performance of Cinderella. Kamryn continues to teach dance, choreograph, and perform throughout her new career!

KC Patel

Tap, Jazz

KC’s love of dance and performing arts began at the age of 6, when she saw Gene Kelly glide across the screen in “Singing in the Rain”. She was hooked on tap dancing, but before long, she grew to love all aspects and genres of dance. She competed in tap and jazz companies with the award-winning Carol Colton dancers… even dancing for Merv Griffin in his Atlantic City holiday show. She began teaching as an apprentice and loved it so much she became a main tap and jazz teacher. She continued her love of dance and choreography throughout college and graduate school, teaching adults as well as kids to love the art of dance. Her choreography was sought after by several colleges dance teams in the Boston area, and the performing arts troupe that she founded at Tufts University in 1993 is still going strong today. After taking a hiatus to start a family, KC returned to teaching dance, and has even choreographed for her own children. “There is something so magical when a child’s eyes light up as you show them a new step… and I love it when the kids absorb it all and want to learn more.”

Pamela Sarch

Tap, Jazz, Company Director

Pam has an extensive Dance and Theater background and is thrilled to be a member of the awesome, and diversely talented,  faculty here at Center Stage. She has studied and performed throughout New Jersey and continues her education in NYC, taking classes and attending workshops,  and at the Princeton Ballet School with Director Kim Chandler-Vaccaro. Theater credits include Plays in the Park (Oliver), New Jersey Renaissance Festival (featured performer), Franklin Theater Ensemble (Bonnie, Anything Goes), Somerset Valley Players (Man of La Mancha) to name a few!  Pam has appeared in and Choreographed “Godspell” several times in several different roles! She has also been a featured performer on television with the MDA Telethon and has choreographed many local High School productions and Pop Warner cheer competition dances.  Pam is a proud member of the American Tap Dance Foundation and is company director for the East Brunswick and Marlboro Jr. Tap Companies. Pam also incorporates music and movement into the integrated pre-k class she works with for the North Brunswick Board of Education.

Rebecca Servon

Acting, On-Camera

Rebecca Servon graduated from Rutgers University MGSA with her BFA in Acting. At Rutgers, she studied the Meisner technique and trained classical with the Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London, England. She has also studied improv with UCBLA and performed with her improv group at iOwest in LA. She studied Acting on Camera with legendary daytime drama casting director Bob Lambert and Criminal Minds casting director Erica Silverman, in addition to shooting two of her own short films with her production team CRC. Television credits include 2 Broke Girls and General Hospital. Favorite NYC theatre credits include Gwendolen in The Importance of Being Earnest, Jenny in The Shape of Things, and Marla in Specter. She is very excited to be returning to Center Stage where she studied with Stephen Waldrup for many years.

Jordan Simon

Jazz/Hip-Hop, Ballet, Tap, Gymnastics

Jordan is a Center Stage alumnus where she was apart of our Senior CATS, Tap CAT, and Ballet Companies. She started taking dance and gymnastics as a child and has continued to train consistently throughout the years. During her time at Center Stage she spent many years assisting our faculty as a student teacher. It was during these years that Jordan discovered her love for teaching. She is now a student at Monmouth University pursing a degree in Early Childhood Education.  Her passion for working with young children makes her a wonderful instructor for our youngest students. Jordan’s patience and enthusiasm helps our dancers succeed at any level. Jordan is also USA Gymnastics and Safety Certified and can be seen teaching gymnastics as part of our Starz Gymnastics faculty.

Jonathan Skolnik

Technical Director

Jonathan, our proverbial “man behind the curtain” began working with us over 20 years ago, managing our Marlboro Studio.  After completing his degree at Montclair State   University, Jonathan began pursuing a career in Concert and Event Production.  During these years, he gained vast experience producing many exciting corporate and social events, and high profile productions such as the Dalai Lama’s visit to NYC at Central Park.   The experience and skills he gained throughout the years has allowed Jonathan to be an important fixture at Center Stage, elevating our overall theatrical production value.  When he returned to Center Stage he began setting up our Technical Department – a unique asset for a Dance School to possess.  Utilizing his skills in both general construction and design, Jonathan has been able to produce the various sets and prop pieces that our choreographers require to bring their vision to life.  In addition, Jonathan’s musicality and years of experience using Computer Music Programs, has allowed him to seamlessly cut the music needed for each of the dance numbers you see on stage.   Known for his witty sense of humor, Jonathan is always available for our comic relief.

Michelle Scarpa Sullivan

Lyrical/Contemporary, Ballet, Jazz

As a CATS Dancers Alumnus, Michelle is super excited to be back with the Center Stage family! Through her career, she has worked extensively both on and off stage in the US and abroad. As a performer, most notably she was see as Diana Morales in the national tour of “A Chorus Line” directed by Baayork Lee and as Anita in “West Side Story” with the Nashville Symphony. Other credits include the national tour of “The Who’s Tommy”, the Frug Girl in “Sweet Charity”, and she was featured in the world premiere of “Only Kingdom” at the Pasadena Playhouse directed by Scott Schwartz, where she served as associate choreographer. Michelle was also the assistant choreographer for the national tour of “A Funny Thing… Forum” staring Rip Taylor. She has taught all over the country as an invited guest teacher, most notably for Delta State University. In addition, Michelle has worked as an adjudicator for many national competitions. As a screen actress she can be seen in episodes of “Sex and the City”, “The Sopranos” and the independent film “The Entrepreneurs.” We are so pleased to have Michelle back with our family, where it all began!

Julie Thick

Tap, Jazz, Acrobatics, Gymnastics

Julie is co-owner/producer of the Off-Broadstreet Theatre which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. She has choreographed over 75 musicals for the Hopewell Dessert Theatre. Julie is a member of the DEA and PDTA dance associations and has taught in NYC at the Ed Sullivan Theatre and Broadway Dance Center. Julie has worked at Center Stage since 1980 teaching tap, jazz and tumbling. As a performer, she worked with Mercedes Ellington and the late Frank Hatchett, as well as the late Gregory Hines in an open tap company and with Luigi’s Jazz. Julie continues to study with many teachers including Germaine Salsberg, and Luigi. Julie was the NJAIAW State Collegiate All Around Champion in Gymnastics.

Marjorie Toron

Jazz/Hip-Hop, Tap

Marjorie is a Center Stage Alumnus, where she was not only a part of many company teams throughout her years here, but has also been an assistant to numerous teachers since the age of 11. Marjorie attended Howell High School’s FPAC program where she majored in dance and continued dancing throughout college on her University’s dance team. Marjorie even had an opportunity to choreograph many routines for her dance team including their National’s dance that was performed on the ESPN Wide World of Sports stage in Orlando, Florida. Marjorie has received her Master’s Degree from the University of Scranton and is currently working as an Occupational Therapist. Her dream is to incorporate her passion of dance to assist those with neurological conditions and help them regain function. 

Brian Ust

Partnering Coach

An alumni of Center Stage Dance and Theatre Program (Voice, Acting, Jazz, Ballet and Tap “I took it all”…). Brian continued his dance training at Princeton School of Ballet dancing with PBII , Broadway Dance Center, Steps and Miami City Ballet. A former fixture in New Jersey theatre, singing and dancing in productions of “How 2 Succeed…”, “The Fantasticks”, “Godspell”, “Mame”, ”Carnival”, “Pippin”, “Annie Get your Gun”,” Little Shop of Horror”, “West Side Story”, “The Good Bye Girl” to name a few. Brian quickly moved on to the world stage performing in the international tours of “On the Town”, “Best of Broadway”, and “Guys and Dolls”. Returning from Europe he worked with Anne Reinking on the TV production of “Bye Bye Birdie” staring Vanessa Williams and Jason Alexander. He toured with A CHORUS LINE (Mike), SHOW BOAT starring Cloris Leachman and Dean Jones, MISS SAIGON, and DISNEY’S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. In addition: Productions of ”La Cage Aux Folles”, (Hanna), and “Bat Boy : The Musical”. He also performed as a guest artist with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Alabama Symphony Orchestra and danced a season with Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre.

Stephen Waldrup

Acting, Managing Director

Stephen has been directing the acting program at Center Stage for over 30 years.  He has taught at the T. Schreiber Studio in Manhattan and does private coaching for NY & LA Actors.  As a performer, he appeared at the New Jersey Shakespeare Festival in “A Man for All Seasons, ” “The Sunshine Boys”, and Shakespeare’s “Henry VIII”, “Othello”, “The Merry Wives of Windsor”, and “The Merchant of Venice”.  In New York, he appeared in “An Ideal Husband”, “Once in a Lifetime”, “Ambrosio” and “I Am A Camera” at the T. Schreiber Studio, “On the Road to Holeness” at Theatre for the New City, “Dogg’s Hamlet/Cahoot’s Macbeth” with the 1010 Players, “The Bald Soprano” and “The Wailing Wall” with the Farrington Company and at the American Theatre of Actors.  Stephen’s directing credits include “Four Dogs and a Bone” and “Birdbath” in Manhattan and “Zoo Story” for Black Box in Asbury Park.  Stephen is a talented writer, creating the amazing characters and stories you see in our yearly performances at the State Theatre.  

Tara Youngman

Ballet, Pointe, Modern, Lyrical/Contemporary

Tara Youngman began her early training at Center Stage Dance and Theater School. Here she studied classical ballet, modern, contemporary, jazz, tap, and hip-hop. Through her time here, Tara's love for this art form grew, and her desire to become a professional dancer began. In 2015, she moved to New York to study at The Conservatory of Dance at Purchase College to earn her BFA in Dance. She graduated Suma Cum Laude with a concentration in Ballet Performance, in May 2019. During her time at Purchase, she had the opportunity to perform in works by George Balanchine, William Forsythe, Norbert De La Cruz III, Brian Enos, Michelle Thompson Ullerich, and Stuart Loungway. Tara has attended workshops and programs at BalletX, Joffrey Ballet School, Paul Taylor, Complexions Contemporary Ballet, North West Dance Project, and Body Traffic. In addition to these, she had the pleasure of being selected to attend Springboard Danse Montreal in 2018. Tara currently dances with Peridance Contemporary Dance Company, Hudson Ballet Theater, and Wyckoff Collective. Other dance performance credits include, Body Traffic Contemporary Dance Company, Distributed Movement and Satellite Collective. She has had the opportunity to perform at BAM Fisher, Arts On Site, and New York Live Arts, to name a few.