Dr. Michael Penna (Director & Chorographer): is very excited to be working on his third production here at Toms River High School North. Dr. Penna has a BFA in Musical Theater from Syracuse University, MA in Theater from Montclair State University, MPhil in Education from Walden University, and a PhD in Education from Walden University. Dr. Penna teaches Theatre in the Arts Academy here at Toms River High School North. Dr. Penna has over 26 years of experience in the Theatrical Arts and has worked professionally throughout the country. Dr. Penna is proud member of the Actors Equity Association and the Screen Actors Guild. Dr. Penna is a Council Board Member on the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a State Board Member for The New Jersey International Thespian Society and a Board Member for the National English Honor Society. Dr. Penna was the recipient of the 2022 NJ State Teen Arts: Educator of the Year Award, the 2022 Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Award: for Outstanding Educator, the 2022 Monmouth Arts: Arts Education Award, the 2022 International Thespian Society: Inspirational Theatre Educator Award, the 2019 Montclair State University Foxy Award for Excellence in Theater Education, and the 2018 Basie Award for Best Lighting Design of a Drama. Dr. Penna would like to thank the cast and crew for all of their hard work and dedication and the administration for putting such trust in us all. Lastly, he would like to thank his amazing production staff for all that they do.
George Powers (Musical Director): Mr. Powers is thrilled to be musical directing his fifteenth show at High School North. Mr. Powers has a Bachelor of Arts (Music) degree from Glassboro State College. Mr. Powers teaches Music Theory, AP Music Theory, Piano, Music Computing and Band here at North, and was the 2022-2023 Teacher of the Year. Prior to coming to North, he spent 22 years as Musical Director at Red Bank Catholic High School. Professionally, Mr. Powers was Musical Director of the Monmouth County Parks System Summer Theatre for 16 years. He also Musical Directed a number of shows for Phoenix Productions at the Count Basie Theatre. As a musician, Mr. Powers has also performed in many pit orchestras throughout Monmouth and Ocean counties as a keyboardist and a woodwind specialist. Away from school and theatre, Mr. Powers can be found at local establishments as the saxophonist and horn arranger for the local band “We’ll Be Fine.” Mr. Powers would like to thank Dr. Penna and the rest of the production staff, as well as the students involved in music and theatre arts for allowing him to be him.
Kelly Eleneski (Production Manager): is an English as a Second Language teacher at Toms River High School North and is so happy to be back on staff for Mamma Mia! She earned her B.A. in English with a minor in Political Science from Washington College and her Juris Doctorate from Roger Williams University School of Law. Ms. Eleneski was a practicing attorney for eight years before transitioning into teaching so that she could work with students and effect change in her community. Ms. Eleneski has been production manager with the Nautical Stars Theatre Company since 2022 and has worked on four productions with the Company: Matilda, The Lightning Thief, Our Town and now Mamma Mia. Ms. Eleneski is so honored to get to work with such an amazingly talented cast and crew. She would like to thank Andrew & Yaz for their endless love and patience, all the cast and crew kids for always making her laugh, and her fellow staff for keeping her sane. She would also like to thank our local Starbucks baristas, without whom this production would not be possible... again.
Jenny Neuhoff (Scenic Designer and Props Manager): is a teacher at High School North, whose classes include fashion design, interior design, set design, and costume design. She has been on the TRN Theatre Staff since 2022, designing the set for Matilda, The Lightning Thief, and Our Town. Mrs. Neuhoff has been involved in all aspects of theatre from a young age. She holds a degree in Fashion Design and Theatre from Marist College. Mrs. Neuhoff has professional experience designing and constructing costumes and working as a makeup artist. From 2010-2018 she served as the production designer for the musicals at TRIE. Mrs. Neuhoff would like to thank the most amazing production staff for all of their support and collaboration!
