| Director's Bio |
New Star Children's Theatre
Director's Bio
Director's Bio
| Director's Bio |
Dana Hendry, New Star Children’s Theatre, Director
Dana grew up singing as part of a family singing group, The New Bethany Singers,
and spent her childhood travelling through Canada and the US performing every
weekend. At the age of 15, after having started writing songs at 12, she wrote her
first children’s musical “Musicland” and went on to direct 35 children in the
production, to rave reviews, at the age of 16! She went on to Niagara Theatre
College, after graduating from High school, and had created the New Star Children’s
Theatre by 1982. She has directed hundreds of children in musical theatre programs
since 1982, in Ontario Canada, Brentwood and Antioch, California, and now calls
Folsom her theatre home! Dana has also co-written the songs for 5 children’s
musicals, and looks forward to writing many more in the future! She is pleased to
now be a part of the Stage Nine family, and looks forward to teaching and directing
children for many years to come!
Dana grew up singing as part of a family singing group, The New Bethany Singers,
and spent her childhood travelling through Canada and the US performing every
weekend. At the age of 15, after having started writing songs at 12, she wrote her
first children’s musical “Musicland” and went on to direct 35 children in the
production, to rave reviews, at the age of 16! She went on to Niagara Theatre
College, after graduating from High school, and had created the New Star Children’s
Theatre by 1982. She has directed hundreds of children in musical theatre programs
since 1982, in Ontario Canada, Brentwood and Antioch, California, and now calls
Folsom her theatre home! Dana has also co-written the songs for 5 children’s
musicals, and looks forward to writing many more in the future! She is pleased to
now be a part of the Stage Nine family, and looks forward to teaching and directing
children for many years to come!
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Kayla Hendry, New Star Children's Theatre, Assistant Director / Choreographer
Kayla started performing in New Star Productions when she was 4 years old, and
basically hasn’t stopped since. When the theatre company was moved to California,
she became assistant director and choreographer at the young age of 11. Since
2001, she has choreographed 20 or so full length productions, and numerous small
performances. In her “spare” time[yeah, right] she also participated in her school
shows, choir, and other community theatre companies such as Runaway Stage
Productions, and Stage Nine, for which she was nominated for an Elly Award for her
portrayal of “The Queen” in the Emperor’s New Clothes. Some of her favorite roles
include; “Tevye” in Fiddler on the Roof, “The Witch” in Into the Woods, “Anita” in
West Side Story, and “Cogsworth” in Beauty and the Beast. Currently she is
attending The American Musical and Dramatic Academy in LA to further pursue her
career in the arts. She also has been working on her own personal song writing
skills, and occasionally sings shows at local cafes.
Kayla started performing in New Star Productions when she was 4 years old, and
basically hasn’t stopped since. When the theatre company was moved to California,
she became assistant director and choreographer at the young age of 11. Since
2001, she has choreographed 20 or so full length productions, and numerous small
performances. In her “spare” time[yeah, right] she also participated in her school
shows, choir, and other community theatre companies such as Runaway Stage
Productions, and Stage Nine, for which she was nominated for an Elly Award for her
portrayal of “The Queen” in the Emperor’s New Clothes. Some of her favorite roles
include; “Tevye” in Fiddler on the Roof, “The Witch” in Into the Woods, “Anita” in
West Side Story, and “Cogsworth” in Beauty and the Beast. Currently she is
attending The American Musical and Dramatic Academy in LA to further pursue her
career in the arts. She also has been working on her own personal song writing
skills, and occasionally sings shows at local cafes.
Melanie Thompson, New Star Children's Theatre, Playwright
Melanie is a resident of Vancouver , British Columbia. She is an successful publicist in
the entertainment industry who has never lost her love for the theatre. As a alumni
of New Star Canada, Melanie has remained close to Dana and her family over the
years while both have travelled across the continent. In 2004 Melanie penned her
first script for New Star Children's Theatre, "Peter Pan A New Musical" which proved
to be smashing success with the cast and audience alike. Since then she has
continued to write scripts for New Star including, "Snow White", "Aladdin And The
Magical Lamp", "That'll Be The Day". "Little Red & Goldilocks Once Upon A Mixed Up
Fairy Tale", and finally "The Totally True Story of Cinderella and the Prince". Melanie
is currently working on our next script, "Curtains Up!". Beyond that rumor has it a
musical western is in the works!
Melanie is a resident of Vancouver , British Columbia. She is an successful publicist in
the entertainment industry who has never lost her love for the theatre. As a alumni
of New Star Canada, Melanie has remained close to Dana and her family over the
years while both have travelled across the continent. In 2004 Melanie penned her
first script for New Star Children's Theatre, "Peter Pan A New Musical" which proved
to be smashing success with the cast and audience alike. Since then she has
continued to write scripts for New Star including, "Snow White", "Aladdin And The
Magical Lamp", "That'll Be The Day". "Little Red & Goldilocks Once Upon A Mixed Up
Fairy Tale", and finally "The Totally True Story of Cinderella and the Prince". Melanie
is currently working on our next script, "Curtains Up!". Beyond that rumor has it a
musical western is in the works!
Lauren Hirsch, New Star Children's Theatre Assistant Director
Lauren has been working with New Star since 2010. Lauren is a 19 year old college
student who has been involved in theatre for 6 years. She has performed ensemble
roles in “Bye-Bye Birdie”, “Break a Leg”, “Once Upon A Mattess” and “Anything
Goes”. During her senior year of high school Lauren was cast as Raina the lead
female role in “Arms and the Man”. Lauren in addition to her duties as assistant
director for New Star has performed in several of it’s productions, including roles as
Wilhemina Grimm in “Bedazzled”, Ms. Hannigan in “GreasyHair” and Nadia the Gypsy
in “Boy Blunder and the Trio of Terror”. Lauren is also a member of the SuperNova
performance troupe that performs at various local events. While New Star keeps her
pretty busy Lauren still finds time to continue her education as she currently attends
American River College studying her passions of theatre, music and English.
Lauren has been working with New Star since 2010. Lauren is a 19 year old college
student who has been involved in theatre for 6 years. She has performed ensemble
roles in “Bye-Bye Birdie”, “Break a Leg”, “Once Upon A Mattess” and “Anything
Goes”. During her senior year of high school Lauren was cast as Raina the lead
female role in “Arms and the Man”. Lauren in addition to her duties as assistant
director for New Star has performed in several of it’s productions, including roles as
Wilhemina Grimm in “Bedazzled”, Ms. Hannigan in “GreasyHair” and Nadia the Gypsy
in “Boy Blunder and the Trio of Terror”. Lauren is also a member of the SuperNova
performance troupe that performs at various local events. While New Star keeps her
pretty busy Lauren still finds time to continue her education as she currently attends
American River College studying her passions of theatre, music and English.
Kristin Sorci, Choreographer
Kristin Sorci began dancing at a very young age, starting in jazz, tap, and ballet, as
every “dance kid” does. She has a background as a gymnast, as well as dancing on
Pointe, Lindy Hop, Hip Hop, Charleston, Carolina Shag, Blues, Salsa, Argentine
Tango, Balboa, Collegiate Shag, Contemporary, Hustle, West Coast Swing, and
Ballroom. Kristin is a US Open Champion, an American Lindy Hop Champion, and a
Balboa Champion. She travels the world teaching, judging, choreographing, and
competing, and feels extremely honored to do so. As a dancer and musician, Kristin’
s focus is breaking down music to movement, inspiring students to think “outside of
the box.“ Her style is complex and intricate, as well as extremely musical. Kristin
has choreographed for the COLSAC Theater Company in Los Angeles, Solano Youth
Theater, is considered a Vintage Jazz Dance Historian around the world, and is
currently featured as a choreographer on the hit television show “So You Think You
Can Dance.“
Kristin Sorci began dancing at a very young age, starting in jazz, tap, and ballet, as
every “dance kid” does. She has a background as a gymnast, as well as dancing on
Pointe, Lindy Hop, Hip Hop, Charleston, Carolina Shag, Blues, Salsa, Argentine
Tango, Balboa, Collegiate Shag, Contemporary, Hustle, West Coast Swing, and
Ballroom. Kristin is a US Open Champion, an American Lindy Hop Champion, and a
Balboa Champion. She travels the world teaching, judging, choreographing, and
competing, and feels extremely honored to do so. As a dancer and musician, Kristin’
s focus is breaking down music to movement, inspiring students to think “outside of
the box.“ Her style is complex and intricate, as well as extremely musical. Kristin
has choreographed for the COLSAC Theater Company in Los Angeles, Solano Youth
Theater, is considered a Vintage Jazz Dance Historian around the world, and is
currently featured as a choreographer on the hit television show “So You Think You
Can Dance.“
