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Chakira-Iliana Doherty
Director
has been a professional performer for almost 30 years. Her performance credits include Evita (Eva Peron), the title role in Elton John’s Aida, Show Boat (Julie Laverne- BroadwayWorld nomination for Best Actress in a Musical), Ragtime (Sarah), Hairspray (Motot Mouth Maybelle), Grease (Rizzo), Jesus Christ Superstar (Mary Magdalene) and the national tour of Aladdin (Princess). Here at Sewanhaka she has directed All Shook Up, Titanic, Les Miserables, Legally Blonde, In the Heights, Children of Eden, Beauty and the Beast, and Phantom of the Opera. In addition to directing, Mrs. Doherty is an award-winning costume designer. She holds a BFA in Music Theatre from Elon University and a Masters of Music Education from Hofstra University. She is currently on sabbatical from her position as Vocal Music teacher in the North Bellmore Elementary School District in order to cultivate her most recent twin productions: Eva and Ellie Doherty.
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Amanda Montoni
Choreographer
is pleased to return as choreographer (and Alumnus) at Sewanhaka. Past credits at SHS include Children of Eden, Beauty and the Beast, and Phantom of the Opera. Her choreography has been seen on Long Island and Queens in Thoroughly Modern Millie, Grease, Spamalot, The Little Mermaid, Young Frankenstein, and She Loves Me. She is currently directing The Wedding Singer at Royal Star Theatre, a company she co-founded. As a performer she was last seen as Tuptim in Broadhollow Theatre Company’s production of The King and I. She published her first collection of poetry, Trains, New York, and the Love (or lack thereof) That Goes Along With Them in March 2017. She dedicates it all to her Mom, Dad, and brother Nick. But most of all she dedicates it all to her Grandpa Al and her Grandma Barbara, who are watching over her with every step she takes.
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Christina Russo
Vocal Director
is a Long Island-based mezzo-soprano who has had the joy of working with the Sewanhaka students for the first time this year. With degrees in vocal performance (B.S. Hofstra University) and opera performance (M.M. Binghamton University), stepping into the role of Vocal Director for this production has been a new and exciting challenge. Thank you to everyone for being so welcoming and patient! Congratulations on a beautiful production to everyone involved!
