 Artistic Director:
Joyce Costello
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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. |
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Assistant Director:
Laura Spaziani
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Laura Spaziani received her BA in dance and philosophy from Hamilton College. While at Hamilton, Laura worked with the Vanessa Paige and Elissa Monte
dance companies and presented choreography at the American College Dance Festival. Upon graduation, she danced professionally for two years as a member of the Ellen Sinopoli Modern Dance Company and enjoyed teaching dance at multiple studios in the Capital Region. Since moving to New York City she has performed with various independent choreographers, and appeared as guest choreographer for the Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company, and the Hamilton College dance department. She currently teaches at a Reggio Emilia inspired preschool in Manhattan, and enjoys filling her spare time with creative projects and outdoor adventures!
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Instructor:
Robyn Bennett
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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. |
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Counselor:
Erica Costello
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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. |
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Counselor:
Erika Huffman
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Erika is returning for a third year as staff for SSPA. She attended SSPA camp for 10 years. She just finished her freshman year at SUNY Old Westbury in Long Island, NY studying Psychology. She has been studying dance for 6 years and continued to study while in college. Erika was also part of the competitive dance team at Old Westbury. Erika has many stage credits which include South Pacific with Elmira Little Theater, Annie with Keuka Lake Players, South Pacific with Broadway Middle School, Peter Pan with Broadway Middle School, and she was cast as ANNIE in the musical Annie with Broadway Middle School in which she won WETM student of the week. Erika looks forward to working with SSPA for years to come and would like to thank the Zonta Club and Joyce Costello for the wonderful opportunities afforded to her. |
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Mascot:
Chicken
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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. | |
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