Lisa Beth Vettoso (Director/Producer): Aspire Performing Arts Company, founded in 2011, represents the culmination of Lisa’s 20+ years of experience in the arts and fulfills her dream of working with children in her own theatre company. Previously, Lisa was Artistic Director of the BG Theatre Club for five seasons, directing, choreographing, and producing 15 shows. Lisa holds a B.A. in Communication and Theatre from Villanova University and a Master’s Degree in Educational Theatre from NYU. She is currently the Executive Director of Literature to Life, a non-profit arts in education organization. Lisa has also worked with such prestigious organizations as The Art School at Old Church, The New York Pops, American Repertory Ballet, the New York City Arts in Education Roundtable, and Carnegie Hall. Her directing highlights include Legally Blonde, The Drowsy Chaperone JR. (pilot), All in the Timing, Spring Awakening, Big Fish, Mamma Mia, Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical JR. (pilot), Thoroughly Modern Millie, Frozen JR. (pilot), Heathers the Musical (HS Edition), Newsies JR. (pilot), Grease, The Wedding Singer, Children of Eden, The Drowsy Chaperone, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and many more! Lisa would like to thank her amazing family for their constant support and generosity, and her husband, Jay, for his love, for always listening, and for loving Aspire as much as she does. This and every performance is dedicated to her father, John Vettoso, who was Aspire PAC's biggest fan.
K. Leigh Weinman (Music Director) is pleased to add her musical talent to this production. In addition to her years of experience as an accompanist and music director, she has been teaching piano privately in Morris County for more than 25 years. Miss Leigh, as she is known by her students, enjoys nothing more than sharing her love of all forms of music, and she is especially passionate about collaborating with burgeoning young performers as they discover the thrill of musical theater while they develop and engage their talents. Leigh started her own journey in the theater during her high school years, which included a memorable opportunity to perform in the pit ensemble for a summer theater production of Pippin. It was this experience that instilled her longstanding love of the art, and the joy of the kinship that musical theater inspires. She also performs regularly as both a sole accompanist and as part of a pit ensemble for full scale local high school and community theater productions. Previously, Leigh musically directed Aspire's production of Moana JR. and Disney's The Lion King JR. and played in the pit orchestra for Aspire's Big Fish. Leigh would like to thank her fellow production team members, our talented cast and crew, and her family for managing without her while she’s off doing what she loves.
