Explore the world of black cats, pinky swears, ladders and sidewalk cracks as Playhouse On Park's dance company-in-residence presents their annual music and dance extravaganza.
MEREDITH ATKINSON was singing and dancing before she learned how to walk! As a child she was proficient in piano and clarinet, but her primary instrument has always been her voice. At the age of four, she began to take dance lessons at the Beverly Burton Dance Studio in Manchester, Connecticut. She danced through high school, then took a brief hiatus when she left Connecticut to pursue a Media Studies degree. Meredith met Darlene through the Hartt School adult dance program 3 years ago. This is Meredith's first year performing with the wonderful stop/time family. Meredith is Director of Marketing and PR at Playhouse on Park. In her spare time, Meredith can be found waiting tables, snapping photos, or creating content for her food and beverage blog, Life, In A Nutshell. Meredith would like to thank Joel for his unwavering support. She thanks her parents for always being ready with the video camera when she wanted to put on a show, and thanks Sarah for being her very first dance partner. Finally, she'd like to thank Darlene for this opportunity and helping her rediscover the sheer joy that is dance!
JENNIFER BUNGER is grateful to perform with such a talented group of people. She began dancing at the age of three and hasn't stopped! A special education preschool teacher in Guilford, Jennifer also teaches dance at Miss Cindy's Dance Center of Southington where she co-directs the competitive dance team with her sister, Erica. Jennifer has been involved as a featured dancer in many shows, including NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT, ALL SHOOK UP, ANYTHING GOES, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, ROCKY HORROR and AIDA (Warner Theatre), CHICAGO, and FOOTLOOSE (Thomaston Opera House). She has also choreographed several productions, including WEDDING SINGER (Landmark Student Theatre), MARY POPPINS (Thomaston Opera House), WHITE CHRISTMAS (Thomaston Opera House), and SEUSSICAL (Naugatuck Teen Theatre). She would like to thank Darlene for the opportunity to be a part of the stop/time family and Dan for all of his support!
LISA CAFFYN has been dancing ever since she can remember. An original member of stop/time, this is her 13th season. Lisa was formerly a Spanish teacher at Vernon Center Middle School and is currently a Spanish teacher at Hall High School. Lisa is a mother to 3 fun-loving, energetic children; 6 1/2-year-old Rachel, 4 1/2-year-old Caitlin, and 2 1/2 year-old Liam. Lisa would like dedicate these performances to her father, who has been a constant source of strength and optimism. Lisa would like to thank her husband of 13 years, Sean, who is extremely supportive of her and her pursuit of dance, and also their children (who will be dancing and singing in the aisles!). Hugs, kisses and thanks are also sent out to Lisa's parents and in-laws who allow her to be involved with this wonderful company and dance! Finally, she would also like to thank Darlene for the opportunity to perform on stage!!
LYNSEY CHARTIER is very happy to be performing with her stop/time family for the sixth year. Dance has been her passion since she began at age three and Lynsey is grateful to Darlene for the opportunity to continue to dance and perform with such an amazingly talented group of artists. She has been teaching dance and choreographing shows including SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE and FOOTLOOSE (The Little Theater on Broad St.), throughout Connecticut for the past sixteen years. Lynsey recently graduated from Eastern Connecticut State University with her bachelor's degree in business administration. She is so grateful for the many blessings she has in her life, and would like to thank her amazing parents, her fiancé Jay and her son William (7) for their love and support! I love you all to the moon and back!
BECKIE CORREALE is honored to take the stage once more with her stop/time dance family. She has studied with Richard Risley, Alyson Portelance and Mae Duffy and performed with the UConn Kickline, Youth of Tomorrow, Synergy Dance Company and the Duffy Academy Irish Step Troupe. Beckie currently teaches mathematics at South Windsor High School and is an avid crafter and knitter. She also enjoys watching her own two little dancers, Kylie and Claire, perform on stage and would like to thank her husband, Derek, and her parents, Jan and Greg, for all of their support and love. Finally, thanks to Darlene for giving me the opportunity to work with this group of fabulous and talented people. Enjoy the show!
AMELIA FLATER is thrilled to be performing with her stop/time family once again! Amelia has been dancing for 20 years, and made her stop/time debut in 2007. Amelia graduated from the University of Massachusetts - Boston, with a degree in Biology and Psychology this past May, and will soon be attending PA school. Past credits include: stop/time dance theater's DIGITS...DIG IT!, I'D RATHER BE DANCING, TEN AND COUNTING, MY SHOW, TAKE THIS JOB AND DANCE IT and LOVE RADIO; Playhouse on Park: MAMA D'S OUTRAGEOUS ROMP; The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts: Kirk Peterson's THE AMERICAN NUTCRACKER, Nutmeg Ballet's THE NUTCRACKER, and CT Opera's HANSEL and GRETEL. Amelia would like to thank Darlene and her fellow stop/time dancers for another amazing opportunity to do what she loves most … DANCE!
RICK FOUNTAIN considers himself lucky to be an original member of stop/time dance theater and proud of his 20+ year association with Darlene Zoller. He has performed on this stage in 18 productions, including Playhouse on Park's award-winning CHICAGO as Amos Hart. Other favorite roles: Jimmy Winter in NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT, Cosmo Brown in SINGIN' IN THE RAIN, Bobby in A CHORUS LINE, Billy Lawlor in 42nd STREET, Wilbur Turnblad in HAIRSPRAY, Sir Bedevere in SPAMALOT, George in THE DROWSY CHAPERONE and The Cat in the Hat in SEUSSICAL with local theater groups. He also has performed in numerous cabaret and emcee gigs and serves as the webmaster for the Playhouse. Rick will be seen next month in Exit 7 Theater's production of URINETOWN in Ludlow, MA. A long-time West Hartford resident, Rick works in human resources at The Hartford and is also a cantor at St. Helena's Church in town. Love always to CC and Julia. #enjoytheshow #lucky13
BECKY LABOMBARD is happy to be joining the stop/time family again for the fifth time and thanks Darlene for consistently inspiring her with new creative opportunities. She previously performed at the Playhouse in THAT HOLIDAY FEELING and SOMETHING COOL...ICY HOT CABARET. Becky is a graduate of the Hartt School of Music and has sung professionally in a variety of venues from theater to the American songbook to church soloist. Favorite roles in various CT theaters include The Witch in INTO THE WOODS, Cheryl in TAFFETAS, Sister Robert Anne in NUNSENSE, Joanne in COMPANY, Mayzie LaBird in SEUSSICAL and Reno Sweeney in ANYTHING GOES among many others! When not on stage, Becky is a dog lover and animal advocate. Her yellow Labrador retriever, Bryce, is her biggest fan, whether it be hiking in the woods or lying by the piano while she sings! She also sews quilts as well as other 'fabric art'. Becky would like to thank the incredibly talented stop/time dancers for sharing their stage with her! Let's all break our legs!
ERICA MISENTI is a NYC-based dancer who grew up training with stop/time dance theater. "I'm beyond lucky for their support as my dance family." She is especially thrilled to share the stage with her mom, Laurie, a life long dream they both shared! Erica is excited to have recently signed with Lucille DiCampli Artist Representation, and currently dances for Mohegan Sun. She sends so much love to her Dad, Brother, family, friends, and future husband Johnny Depp.
LAURIE MISENTI has had a love for dance all of her life!!! She was "bit by the bug" at the age of 3 performing the Can-Can in her first recital, then partnered with her brother Frank the very next year. She has enjoyed every aspect of dancing over the years. Most recent special moments right here sharing this stage with her daughter Erica (still waiting for that duet) and being a part of this wonderful stop/time family for all these 13 years! Laurie vows to never stop dancing if she can help it. In addition to performing choreography Laurie loves to just dance!!! Feel what you feel in the music and dance like nobody's watching. It's so freeing! Laurie's favorite pastime is being with her family, friends and enjoying special times with her children Erica and Phillip. I love you all! Thank you for all of your love and support. Enjoy the show!! ….and remember don't walk under a ladder, don't pick up a penny unless it's heads up and "no hats on the bed, no shoes on the table…" So many superstitions, if you believe. :)
VICTORIA MOONEY was born and raised on Hilton Head, SC where she's performed in over 25 productions through regional, community, & school shows. After moving to CT in 2009, she's performed at theatres across the state, including Downtown Cabaret, The Warner, Hartford Children's Theatre where she is most recognized for her award-winning performance as the title role in PINKALICIOUS. Tori was also seen entertaining on the North Pole Express for the 2014 and 2015 holiday seasons as Pixie Poinsettia. Tori is absolutely thrilled to be part of another stop/time show after having been in I'D RATHER BE DANCING and DIGITS-DIT IT! This ironically marks her 13th production at Playhouse on Park, last seen in THREE LITTLE PIGS (Siu Pig). Tori is also a teaching artist at Hartford Stage Education, a Royal Attendant for Whimsical Wishes Entertainment, and is a regular performer at PoP's Mainstage Monday next door at A.C. Petersen's. "Much love to my crew!"
SPENCER POND is thrilled to be back with stop/time dance theater for his sixth season and third year as a choreographer! In addition to dancing with companies in the Hartford area, he founded The Now Unboxing Project, a choreographic endeavor to build a dance vocabulary, and explore dance performance, as well as how we view ourselves and our work. Spencer is on faculty at The Hartt School Community Division, and serves as assistant to Darlene Zoller, co-artistic director here at Playhouse on Park, and founder of stop/time. Find Spencer at: www.cargocollective.com/thenow
SHERI RIGHI loves to dance - plain and simple. She is extremely thankful for fortuitously meeting Darlene at Hartt School dance classes, and for being invited to join the stop/time family twelve years ago! Sheri is a director at a healthcare IT consulting company, SMC Partners in Hartford, CT where she often can be found tap dancing in the break room. She has also choreographed high school renditions of THE WIZ and FOOTLOOSE. Sheri is extremely grateful for the countless blessings in her life, and her loving extended family is at the top of this list - especially husband Tom and their two amazing children, Madison (13) and Camden (9). She dedicates this show to her angel, RiRi, "I miss you so much Gram, but I know we'll dance together again".
JACOB SILVER is delighted to be part of his first production at Playhouse on Park performing with stop/time dance theater! A performer since early childhood, Jacob has been featured in a Subaru commercial and was almost on a reality show once. Currently residing in the West End of Hartford, Jacob finds bio-writing a bit clunky, but he loves to chat!
ALICIA VOUKIDES is happy to be back for another year with stop/time! She started dancing at the age of 3 at a small studio in NH where she grew up. In college, she joined the Bates College Modern Dance Company and currently enjoys classes at the Hartt School with Darlene. Outside of the dance studio, Alicia is a practicing general dentist. She is most grateful for the never ending support of her husband, Steve, and to Darlene for the opportunity to share the stage with the incredible men and women of stop/time.
DARLENE ZOLLER (Director/Choreographer) is the co-founder and co-artistic director of Playhouse on Park where she has directed and choreographed CHICAGO (Best Director of a Musical/Broadway World) SWINGING ON A STAR and THAT HOLIDAY FEELING. Playhouse choreography credits: PASSING STRANGE, CABARET, HAIR, FRECKLEFACE STRAWBERRY, A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD, among others. She is the founder, director and choreographer of stop/time dance theater, the resident dance company of Playhouse on Park, now in its thirteenth year. She was voted Best Director of a Musical/Broadway World for I'D RATHER BE DANCING. She IS Mama D of MAMA D's OUTRAGEOUS ROMP; a grown ups only music, dance and comedy event exclusive to the Playhouse. Darlene is an adjunct professor at the University of Hartford's Hartt School where she directed and choreographed CHICAGO and did the choreography for ON THE TWENTIETH CENTURY, THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE and SMILE. She also teaches for the Hartt Community Dance Division and is an instructor at Big Sky Fitness in Vernon.
SEAN P. PALLATRONI (Music Director) is an EMMY® Award winning composer, songwriter, director and pianist. Originally from Bedford NH, he has studied performing arts at the Derryfield School under the direction of Laurel Devino, and completed his undergraduate degree in Music Composition at the Hartt School of Music. Sean has written for musical theatre, classical chamber ensembles, jazz, choir, and orchestra. His recent musical "Beyond this Paradise" was premiered in August 2012 in New York City, and was a finalist in the Thespis Theatre Festival. He also coaches and musically directs numerous shows in the southern New Hampshire and Hartford Connecticut areas. Sean currently scores programs for Connecticut Public Television, including the shows "Empowering Connecticut," "Infinity Hall Live," and "All Things Connecticut". Sean is the recipient of Hartt's "Edward Diemente Award for Distinguished Undergraduate Composition," and winner of the 2010 Alabama Orchestra Association's Composition Competition for his work "When the Grass Was Still Green."
