Blake Spence (Director) is thrilled to be returning to Aspire PAC to work on Dare to Dream. He previously directed Aspire production of Seussical JR. and Shrek JR. He is a graduate of Northwestern University’s theatre program where he worked under the guidance of Frank Galati, Mary Zimmerman, Tina Landau, and Anna D. Shapiro. Past professional credits include: Sweeney Todd and The Beauty Queen of Leenane (Spectrum Theatre Company), Rent (American Theatre Company), and Candide (The Kennedy Center d. Mary Zimmerman). He is currently the Artistic Director for Madison High School Theatre where he has directed The Curious Savage, Little Women, Sweet Charity, The Drowsy Chaperone, Hello, Dolly!, Footloose, and Bright Star - which won the 2019 Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Award for Outstanding Overall Production. Bright Star also earned him the Rising Star Award for Outstanding Achievement by a Teacher/Outside Director. He is a proud proponent of inclusion and diversity in educational theatre and his Madison productions have twice won the “Theatre for Everyone” Inclusion and Access Rising Star Award. Much appreciation to Lisa and the entire production team for welcoming him into the Aspire family with open arms. For mom, dad, Cameron, Jason, Gus, Roscoe, Hudson, and Vivi!
Casey Gorab (Music Director) is beyond excited to music direct her first pilot production with Aspire. She was introduced to Aspire as a performer around 2014 and is thrilled to return years later as a music director. In addition to music directing, she currently works as a composer for film and media, a private music teacher for voice and piano, and a performer at local restaurants and venues! She graduated Montclair State University with a degree in Music Composition and will be pursuing her Master’s Degree this fall at NYU for Screen Scoring. She’d like to wish a special thank you to her family and every other family here supporting their kids in their artistic journeys. They are all so talented and have such a big future ahead of them!
Madie Jones (Stage Manager) is a graduate of Montclair State University with a B.A. in theatre studies and specific interest in stage management. They are very excited to be working again with Aspire. They have previously worked with a few other companies, including children's shows with JCC on the Palisades Scool of Dance and Drama. They cannot wait to see these amazing kids shine!
Cheryl Wilbur (Production Manager) is excited to be a part of her 33rd Aspire production! While not with Aspire, she can usually be found at the Barn Theatre, either backstage or doing any number of things! She would like to congratulate the cast on all of the hard work they put into this show. She thinks they are all fantastic!
Lisa Beth Vettoso (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. With Aspire, Lisa has produced more than 60 productions and events. 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 held leadership roles at The Art School at Old Church, The New York Pops, American Repertory Ballet, the New York City Arts in Education Roundtable, and Carnegie Hall. 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 mother, Alice Pachon, and her father, John Vettoso, who were Aspire PAC's biggest fans.
