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Brenda Pepper (Director)
is the head of Visual and Performing Arts/Theatre at N. 13th Street High School in Newark. In addition to directing musicals and plays, she has partnered with Paper Mill Playhouse and Playwrights community, and brought exciting programs and opportunities to her students in Newark. She has directed over 40 shows, including MHS's In the Heights, Hairspray, and Urinetown productions, and feels truly blessed to be working with such a giving, talented, and professional community here at MHS. She was co-founder and performed with Luna Stage and Lunatic Fringe, formerly of Montclair. She is a member of Actor's Equity and has performed at Off-Broadway and regional theaters, as well as at Twelve Miles West, the Kennedy Center, and the White House.
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Ken Horn (Musical Director)
has been involved with directing and musical-directing theatre at the school, community and professional levels in the tri-state area for the past 30 years. Teaching both voice and piano since 1982, he has been a member of the Fine Arts staff in the Westfield School District for the past 12 years. Ken has also appeared at numerous venues throughout the metropolitan area as a stage performer and vocalist/keyboardist. He holds both his B.A and M.A. degrees in music theory and composition. This musical marks his ninth SVPA show. He thanks Brenda Pepper and SVPA for the wonderful opportunity to work with such a talented group of young people.
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Kenneth Cleerdin (Technical Director)
is an art teacher at Montclair High School. He has a long and varied career in theatre, including directing, designing sets, sound, lights, and makeup for numerous local, as well as Off-Broadway, productions. Mr. Cleerdin has also been a professional stage manager and technical director, and collaborates often with his wife, Doreen, who taught drama at Nishuane School.
