Director - Ms. Liana Fitt holds a Bachelor’s of Music degree in Music Education with Vocal Performance Honors and a Master’s of Music degree in Music Education from Syracuse University. She is so excited to present her first musical here at JCB. Ms. Fitt spends her summers at Syracuse Children’s Theater, and over the past 6 years, has taught over 40 musicals there. Outside of teaching, Ms. Fitt is a passionate choral singer, avid reader, and home chef. Bringing Shrek the Musical to life has been quite the undertaking, and Ms. Fitt could not have made it happen without the contributions of so many amazing individuals. Thank you so much to the Phoenix Chorus and Drama Boosters for their constant support, hours of fundraising and volunteering, and for such a warm welcome into this community. Ms. Fitt would also like to thank all of the parents, family members, and community members who took the time to help us with our set, props, costumes, and donations. A huge thank you to Mrs. Spereno, Ms. G, Mrs. Jackson, and Ms. Kaylor for their guidance, support, creativity, and friendship. Finally, THANK YOU to the incredibly talented JCB students of the cast, crew, and pit who have worked so incredibly hard to make this production a reality. Ms. Fitt is SO proud of you!
Music Director - Ms. Liza Grethel holds a Bachelor of Music degree and Performance Certificate for Clarinet Performance from The Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam and a Master’s Degree in Music Education from Ithaca College School of Music. Ms. Grethel has been a band director in Phoenix since 2000 and has enjoyed working on the musical every year since 2006. This year has been exciting as we begin our collaboration with Ms. Fitt and continue the tradition of excellent musical productions with the very talented JCB students! Ms. G. would like to thank all of the musical staff and students for making it so fun to work on musical productions at JCB. A huge thank you to all the students who are working so hard this year on preparing their music and rehearsing in the pit – the music is incredibly demanding and it is so rewarding to see the dedication that these students have displayed. A special thank you to all the professional musicians who have come to work with our talented pit students – you all add so much to our production! Now… LET’S GO WIN THE MUSICAL!
Choreographer- Miss Amanda Kaylor is a new addition to the Phoenix family. She started teaching second grade at MAM last year and has joined the JCB Musical Family this year. She is no stranger to dance, however, having danced a variety of styles since kindergarten and through college. Amanda would like to thank the dance company that fostered her love of dance, Dance Craze by Shannon. Shannon was an amazing mentor that helped to grow both Amanda’s abilities in dance, as well as her love and understanding of choreography. Amanda would also like to extend a huge thank you to her family for their support of both her and their help with building and donating materials for the set. Lastly, Amanda would like to extend a HUGE thank you to everyone in the Phoenix and JCB musical family for welcoming her with open arms and allowing her to grow during her first year in this position. “I hope everyone enjoys the show and sees the tremendous work the students have put into this production. They have worked so hard and it shows in this beautiful show. Break a leg everyone!
