When I began teaching In 2002, I had a vision to create an after school theatre program at my high school. At the time, the musical was the only opportunity that our students had. When I came on board, I began a Forensics team, competitive speech and drama. This created a venue for those students who were not musically inclined. Then in 2006, the musical director who had been there for 20+ years, retired. I was coaxed into the position because no one wanted it and apparently I had a background in theatre. So I became the musical director. From there, I started ITS, a Fall Play, and a Spring Play. We host cabaret nights, a murder mystery dessert theatre, and A Night of Thespians. We perform for our local elementary schools and work with our community on a number of service initiatives. In 2012, we focused on Hurricane Sandy Relief and for that effort our Operation Storm TROUPErs (our Thespians) received recognition from the United Way.
Though our theatre program has been thriving, I do take time out from after school activities to spend time with my daughters Madison and Riley and my husband.
Theatre has become something that is extremely rewarding to me. I have learned a lot from my students and from my staff. I am proud to be the NJ Chapter Director and to be in charge of the hardest working team members. I became a thespian in 1996, and I am happy to be able to give back to a community that helped to shape my life.