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George Warren

Artistic Director

Mr. Warren’s union affiliations are Actors Equity, Screen Actors Guild, Dance Educators of America, and the International Tap Association. He is a noted New York Teacher and performer whose students have appeared on over 50 Broadway Shows, National and International tours, National Ballet & Modern Companies, Regional Theatres across the USA, Dance & Cheer Squads for Professional Sports Teams, and in many movies and television shows. His last professional Musical Theatre appearances was the national tour of the Broadway musical, “Whoopee,” with Imogene Coca and Mamie Van Doren and still works with Brenda Bufalino and The American Tap Dance Foundation in NYC. George has been teaching in Central Jersey for 42 years and is very proud of his Center Stage family.

Diana Bendit

Ballet, Jazz/Hip Hop, Tap

Diana began dancing at Center Stage at the age of 6, and is an alumni and 2021 graduate of our Sr. Cat and Tap Cat companies. Following graduation, she went to Rutgers University where she joined the Rutgers Performing Dance Company and was promoted to a choreographer during her freshman year. At the collegiate level, Diana choreographs tap, jazz, and heels but continues to perform and train in other styles, including lyrical, contemporary, and hip-hop. Diana has remained a teacher at Center Stage throughout her college years and works with our recreational and company classes of all ages. However, her time is mainly spent working with out younger groups, teaching tap, jazz, and ballet to students ages 2-12. Diana is one of the main instructors for our young children summer camps, and enjoys working with the youngest dancers at the studio.

 

 
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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.”

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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 worked with choreographers such as Doug Elkins, John Evans, and Randy James. She 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!

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Mickey DeFranco

Jazz, CATS Company Founder

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).

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Lauren Elsasser

Jazz, Hip Hop, CATS Company Co-Director

Lauren began her dance training at the age of three progressing 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 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, traveling the country teaching and choreographing for different dance teams. She has continued to teach all different styles from Hip-Hop to Jazz and Contemporary winning many awards such as choreography awards, 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.

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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, Acrobatics

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 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”.

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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.

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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!

Francesca Giordano

Jazz/Hip Hop, Ballet, Lyrical, Gymnastics

Francesca Giordano started dancing at Center Stage at 3 years old. She joined our competition team at 7 and worked her way up to   our Sr. Cats company, Tap Cats, and Hoofers Club. As a competitive dancer Francesca won many titles and high score awards for her solos. Her favorite roles included Clara and The Snow Queen in CS’s  production of The Nutcracker.
Francesca started student teaching at just twelve years old where she developed a passion for training young dancers. She’s since choreographed for her local high school’s dance team, soloists, and for Rutgers University’s Performance Dance Company. Francesca is an energetic and passionate teacher who is eager to continue her dance journey where it all began! She hopes to inspire young dancers to reach their highest potential.

 

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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. 

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Anne Krug

Ballet, Pointe, Director of 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.

Alora Eisen

Musical Theatre, Acting, Voice

Alora is a singer, actor, dancer, and teacher based in NYC and NJ. Alora has dedicated her life to theater by training at an early age at Center Stage Dance and Theatre School in East Brunswick, NJ. Alora graduated from Marymount Manhattan College earning a BA in Theater Arts with a Concentration in Theatre Performance and a Minor in Musical Theatre. She has used the training she has received to hone her craft and will continue to strive to grow and learn. Alora recognized how theater was an important factor of becoming the person she is today. Because of this she began teaching young students the magic of theater. Alora prides herself on her good work ethic and ability to work well with others. Alora believes firmly in kindness and continues to bring that into all the work that she does. When not performing, you will find Alora watching movies, playing with her dog Georgie and trying to learn how to rollerblade without breaking her legs.

 

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, Acting, CATS Company Co-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, director of our JAZZ CATS Program and co-director of our CATS Program.

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

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 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.”

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Pam Sarch

Tap, 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.

Aishwarya Sangubhatla

Tap, Jazz/Hip Hop, Ballet

Aishwarya has been dancing for 11 years. She quickly developed a love for dance and studied ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, hip hop, pointe, and acro. Aishwarya loves working with students of all ages, passing her love for dance to the younger generation. She has experience working with kids ages 3-13 and has taught ballet, tap, and jazz. She recently graduated with her BA in dance from Rutgers University. Aishwarya is very excited to join the faculty at Center Stage!

 

Michelle Scarpa Sullivan

Lyrical/Contemporary, Ballet, Jazz, CATS Company Co-Director

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!

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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.

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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.

Avery Snyder

Ballet, Pointe

Born and raised in Charlottesville, Virginia, Avery Snyder began her dance training at the age of 3. Avery trained at the Charlottesville Ballet Academy until 2016 when she joined the professional company as a trainee while simultaneously completing her junior year of high school. Additionally, she was involved in the company’s outreach programs helping to educate the community about dance. In 2018, Avery attended the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA) high school classical ballet program for her senior year and continued her training into the collegiate level. During her time with UNCSA, she had the opportunity to perform both corps de ballet roles, such as Snow and Flowers in The Nutcraker and in Bournonville’s La Conservatoire, as well as soloist roles in Gerald Arpino’s Viva Vivaldi, Cygnet in Petipa’s Swan Lake, and one of Kitri’s Friends in Don Quixote. In May of 2021, Avery graduated with a BFA in classical ballet. Following her graduation from UNCSA, Avery accepted a traineeship with American Repertory Ballet (ARB). With ARB, Avery has had the opportunity to perform in the company’s productions of The Nutcracker, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. She has also had the opportunity to perform soloist roles such as Moyna in Giselle, Lilac Fairy in The Sleeping Beauty, and premiere Ethan Stiefel’s newly-choreographed role of Lead Bird in The Nutcracker.

 

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 and a member of the Rutgers University Gymnastics Team.

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. 

Sophie Unger

Jazz, Lyrical, Ballet, Gymnastics

 Sophie is a Center Stage alumni as she danced her way through our companies: starting in Junior Cougars and working her way up to the Senior CATS company. She began dancing at the age of Three years old and loved it right off the start. While being in company, she spent six years assisting our younger children in tap, jazz, ballet, and gymnastics. In these years, she grew a love for helping young children. Sophie is currently attending Lehigh University to further her education and passion for learning and helping others. She is an extraordinary assistant and substitute as she enjoys working with our younger students in dance classes as well as Starz gymnastics classes.

 

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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.  

Gregory Williams

Tap, Gymnastics

Greg is a Center Stage Alumnus, where he has been a part of our our Tap CAT and Jazz CAT Companies as well as being a member of George Warren’s prestigious Hoofers Club.  Before graduating, Greg had been a  favorite Center Stage and Starz Gymnastics substitute teacher and valued assistant for many years. Greg has received many titles from regional and national competitions and had the opportunity to perform in the Off Broadway production of Over the Rainbow playing the part of Oz. Gregory is a recent Rowan graduate with a B.A. in Dance and Minor in Entrepreneurship. He is also the recipient of the 2024 Joseph Robinette Excellence in Theatre and Dance Award. Throughout his career, he has worked with many teachers and choreographers, including Corinne Karon, Dawn Marie Bazemore, Robert Burden Jr, and Elizabeth Parkinson. He continues to work toward being a voice for dance advocacy and accessibility.

 

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.