 Artistic Director:
Joyce Costello
|
Joyce holds a B.F.A in Musical Theater from Shenandoah Conservatory of Music.
She is a professional performer and member of the actor’s union, AEA.
She has toured nationally and internationally in the musical, Grease! as “Jan” and “Rizzo/us.” Joyce has performed with such names as Chubby Checker, Eric Estrada, Fabian and Frankie Avalon. She traveled the U.S. in the Warner Brothers national tour of Scooby-Doo in Stagefright, Live on Stage! as the brainy “Velma” including two weeks at The Radio City Music Hall in N.Y.C. While in "The Big Apple," Joyce performed at Wings Theater, The Danny Kaye Theater, Gallery Players and Musical Theater Works. Some of her favorite regional and stock credits include “Joanne” in Godspell, “Robert-Anne” in Nunsense, and “Martha” in Secret Garden. Joyce has directed and choreographed numerous local productions including, The Theme is Love at the Clemens Center, A Chorus Line, The Frog Prince and The Cat in the Castle all with the Summer Repertory Company of the Finger Lakes. Additionally, she wrote, directed and produced the original children's musical A New Home for Sarah. Joyce is a native Elmiran and graduate of Southside High School. She currently resides in New Hampshire with her husband, James and daughter, Bunny. |
|
Instructor:
Robyn Bennett
|
SSPA is thrilled to have Robyn Bennett on staff this year. An honors dance graduate from Dean College, Robyn received the Gregory Hines Tap Dance Scholarship and the Carrie Grant Chilson Award for excellence in dance and music. She has attended master classes with So You Think You Can Dance choreographers Mia Michaels, Wade Robson and Dave Scott to name a few. Robyn is a certified member of Dance Masters of America and teaches at the Kathy Hansen School of Dance and her own studio Dance Force in Horseheads, NY. Local audiences may recognize her choreography for over 17 musical productions for such groups as the Southside High School Footlights Club, Playing With Fire Productions and the Broadway Theater Players. Robyn's stage credits include "Anytime Annie" in 42nd Street, "Asaka" in Once On This Island, "Yamah" in Children of Eden. Robyn resides in Elmira with her husband Josh and daughters Ella and Emilyn. |
|
Music:
Gwen Beckman
|
Gwen is happy to be returning to SSPA for her second summer. She holds a BA in piano performance from Ithaca College and complete certification from the Suzuki Association of the Americas. Gwen has maintained a private piano studio in Elmira for the past 15 years. She currently resides in Elmira with her husband James and children Rachel, Eric and Mathew. |
|
Counselor:
Erica Costello
|
Erica is excited to be returning to the staff of SSPA after years of attending as a camper. She is currently attending Corning Community College and plans to further her education at a four year college. Her most recent theatrical credits include CCC's Future 86 and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. |
|
Counselor:
Sarah Melnyk
|
Sarah joins SSPA for her second year as part of the staff after attending the camp for six. She is currently a Junior at Southside High School and hopes to further her education in the performing arts field. A few of her credits include Little Shop of Horrors, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Seussical. Additionally, Sarah plays piano and clarinet and is quite the ace with a bowling ball! |
|
Counselor:
Erika Huffman
|
|
|
Mascot:
Chicken
|
Chicken hails from Switzerland where she left a lucrative career in stock market trading to pursue the American dream. Her hobbies include, dressing up, break dancing, and pyramid schemes. She is thrilled to once again be S.S.P.A’s official mascot. | |
|
|
|
