Congratulations to our 09/10 Graduating TeamSTAGES Members:
Jeff Foster - pursuing a BM in Musical Theater from Oklahoma City
University
Lizzie Klemm & Matt Dumke - both pursuing a BFA in Musical Theater from Missouri State University
Lexi Lessaris - pursuing a BFA in Musical Theater from Indiana University
Abby Eisen - majoring in social work and minoring in performing arts
What is TeamSTAGES?
TeamSTAGES is the region’s premier teen pre-professional a cappella singing ensemble! The group performs at corporate, civic, and private events throughout the St. Louis metro area.
TeamSTAGES is available to perform for your school, organization or company. Please call the Christine at 636.530.5959 for more information.
The kids spent three days at Disney in workshops and preparing for their performance at Downtown Disney. They were celebrated with standing ovations at the conclusion of their set. Congrats!
Fox2 Morning Show
TeamSTAGES was recently featured on the Fox2 morning show when they welcomed Tim Ezell to find out what it's like to be a part of a local singing group.
Tim gave it his best shot, but in the end left it up to the professionals. Great job, guys!
ZURI ANDERSON- Zuri is a sixteen year old junior at Incarnate Word Academy. She has been in musicals with Incarnate Word Academy such as Annie and the Sound of Music. She has also performed in Beauty and the beast and Les Miserables with Shooting Star. Some other plays that Zuri has been involved in are The Laramie Project at Desmet and a short version of A Midsummer Nights Dream with Incarnate Word Academy. She studies voice at Townsend Music School with Wendi Dicken and she performs in the Circle Honors Choir at Incarnate Word.
MATT DUMKE- Matt is a senior at Kirkwood High School and is honored to be a part of the 2009 - 2010 TeamSTAGES troupe! Theatrically, Matt has been seen in roles such as Troy Bolton in High School Musical (Kirkwood/Crestwood), Jeter in Footloose (Kirkwood Summer), The Fakir in The Secret Garden (Villa Duchesne), a Featured Nubian in Aida (Nerinx Hall), and in the Teen Ensemble of Godspell (The MUNY) as well a 2009 MUNY Teen. He studies Voice with Lisa Campbell Albert, in addition to being a member of Kirkwood High School’s A Cappella Choir, Acting with Tom Murray at STAGES Academy and Dance at Kirkwood High School with Dr. Lieschen Fink. Thanks to his friends and family for their support and to STAGES for this amazing opportunity!
ABBY EISEN- Abby, an original member of TeamStages, is a senior at Parkway Central High school where she is co-president of Pizzazz, the varsity show choir. She is also a member of the National Honors Society, a High School Hero role model, a team leader for JCRC’s Student to Student program, and a volunteer with Special Olympics. She plans to attend Indiana University in the Fall of 2010. Abby was thrilled to be a member of the teen ensemble in the 2008 Stages St. Louis’ Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. She has performed in many musicals at the JCC and Parkway Central. Her favorite roles were Lola in Damn Yankees, Chava in Fiddler, and Sally Brown in Snoopy. Other favorite productions were The Pajama Game and Thoroughly Modern Millie. In 2009, Abby received the “gypsy robe” as a member of Shooting Star Production’s Les Miserables ensemble. Abby loves to tap dance and has been involved in STAGES Academy since it opened where she has been honored to work with Lara Teeter, Dana Lewis, Lisa Ramey, Neal Richardson, Doug Storm, Victoria Carmichael, and Ben Nordstrom. She would like to thank Jack, Michael, Ron, Rob, Lisa, Andrea, Tony, and Maritz, and of course all of the talented kids of TeamSTAGES for this amazing chance of a lifetime!
MADISON ELMORE- Madison is delighted to be joining TeamSTAGES! Madison is the 3rd generation of a theatrical family that began with her grandfather, Broadway veteran Steve Elmore, (Company, Dames at Sea) and continues with her dad, musical director/orchestral designer, Stuart. Stage appearances include Carousel at STAGES ST. LOUIS, Big, The Musical, for Ozark Actors’ Theatre, Ramona Meringue in Zombie Prom at Parkway South High & Winifred in Once Upon A Mattress. Madison has also performed in the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis’ WiseWrite Educational program under the direction of the late Susan Gregg. A seventh year piano student, Madison studies with Muny/Fox accompanist Diane Ceccarini. Music honors include two years with the Missouri State Honors Choir, in addition to being a two time recipient of the “Outstanding Accompanist Award” in Kansas City’s “Music in the Park” competition. Madison is a sophomore at Parkway South and sings in the Chamber Singers Honors Choir directed by Jonathan Owen. Madison would like to thank Maritz & STAGES ST. LOUIS, especially Lisa, Ron, Andrea, Michael, & Jack for this incredible opportunity.
ZACH ERHARDT – Zach is a freshman at Fort Zumwalt South High School and is excited to be returning for his second year with TeamSTAGES. Zach discovered musical theater in the 6th grade when he was cast as Tootles in his middle school’s production of Peter Pan. Since that time, some of his favorite roles have been JoJo in Suessical; Ugly in Honk!, Jack in Into The Woods and Jimmy in Thoroughly Modern Millie. In addition, Zach has appeared on the MUNY stage in 90 Years of Muny Magic and Godspell as well as being a previous member of the Muny Kids and a current member of both the Muny Teen and the Muny Year Round groups. In addition to musical theater, Zach plays the drums, the guitar and is currently learning to play the piano. Prior to discovering theater, Zach was a select soccer player, having played soccer since the age of 3. He gave up the sport two years ago to pursue acting. He takes vocal music lessons from Phil Woodmore; acting lessons from Carrie Houk and Kate Frisina and will study dance this fall at Stages Academy and Corral Performing Arts. He would like to thank the amazing group of talent he is privileged to work with and learn from throughout the Saint Louis community! But most of all he would like to thank his parents & sisters for their continued support!
JEFF FOSTER- Jeff is thrilled to be a part of TeamSTAGES for the second year. He is a junior at Webster Groves High School. He studies voice and acting from Nance St. James and Garrett States and has performed in many shows with Shooting Star Productions including Fiddler on the Roof, Children of Eden, Wizard of Oz, and Beauty and the Beast. He was the lead in Bye Bye Birdie at the Shrewsbury Community Theatre. He also has been involved with many of the plays at Visitation Academy including Into the Woods, The Sound of Music, and Once on This Island. He was recently in the 2008 STAGES production Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat as part of the teen ensemble. Jeff loves helping others and has been a volunteer with The St. Louis Variety Club’s Children Chorus for 7 years. This year he will sing with the St. Louis Variety Club’s Children’s Chorus at the White House. He has won numerous awards for his vocal performance including achieving the highest rating at the state level for a male vocal performer in the high school division. Jeff wishes to thank STAGES for giving him this opportunity and to his parents, brother, and grandparents for their continued support.
TRE’VON GRIFFITH- Tre’von Griffith is pleased to be a part of TeamSTAGES. He is a student at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School. He was recently seen in Dreamgirls at Central VPA. He has been in many productions at the Black Rep such as Joe Turner Come and Gone, Raisin (Woodie Award Nominee) Macbeth, Before It Hits Home, Caroline or Change (Woodie Award Nominee), Guys and Dolls and the Kevin Kline Award winning musical Sarafina. He also studies piano. In 2007 Tre’von got a chance to write an opera titled “Dred Scott: Freedom Will Come Someday” performed at the Old Courthouse in Downtown St. Louis. He recently directed the musical Twisted. He would like to thank God and everyone for their support.
KYLE GUNBY- Kyle Gunby is excited to be a part of TeamSTAGES! Kyle got his first professional break playing Nathan Lukowski in the STAGES production of The Full Monty. He also performed as Linus Dunlop in The Music Man at STAGES and was in the teen chorus of Godspell at the Muny. Kyle stays busy as a 10th grader at Parkway South High School where he’s active in the drama and choral programs. He also participates in the drama and choral ministries at his church, Manchester United Methodist Church. When he’s not in school or performing, you can find Kyle watching or attending St. Louis and Mizzou sporting events. Kyle thanks his family, friends and voice teacher, Nance St. James, for their support and encouragement.
KELSIE JOHNSON- Kelsie is a freshman at Webster Groves High School. Her love of acting has afforded her many performance opportunities including: Variety Children’s Chorus and Annual Telethon, The Muny Kids, many Muny productions including Annie and The Wizard of Oz, Joseph And the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the Fox Theatre, Street Scene at Opera Theatre of St. Louis, High School Musical at CBC, Camp Broadway in New York, and The 2005 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in NY. Kelsie has studied voice for 5 years with Ernestine Jones-Gordon and Nance St. James and dance for 9 years with Charmette Academy of Dance and COCA. When Kelsie is not performing, she enjoys playing piano and violin and participating in student council. She is most proud of being selected for “Who’s Who Among Outstanding Middle School Students,” St. Louis University’s MIND program and Webster Groves’ Gifted Fine Arts Program. Kelsie would like to thank Mom, Dad, Nancy, Jada, Nana, and the whole TeamSTAGES family.
LIZZIE KLEMM- Lizzie Klemm is over the moon to be a part of this outstanding group. She is a 17 year old senior and an honor student at Oakville High School. As a member of their nationally recognized choral program she participates in Concert Choir Mixed, Madrigals, and Women’s Chorale an a cappella group. Lizzie is an officer for Drama Club and has participated in five productions at OHS. She has performed in the youth ensembles of Aida, Grease, Les Miserables, Miss Saigon, and Godspell at the MUNY. Her favorite roles to date are Belle in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (DramaRama Theatre Co.), the Beggar Woman in Sweeney Todd (CBC High School), and the Narrator in Joseph…Dreamcoat (STAGES Performing Arts Academy). Lizzie dances at COCA, Stages, and On Your Toes Dance Studio. She tumbles at Barron Gymnastics and is a proud member of the Back Yard Kids Helping Kids Show which has raised over $40,000.00 for various charities. She was a participant at the 2009 Missouri Fine Arts Academy in theatre. Special thanks to GOD, family, friends, Miss Dana, Miss Kelly, Trina, Mr. Murray, Lisa Casciola, Ms. Learn, and especially Lisa Campbell-Albert and Stages St. Louis for this amazing opportunity! “No day but today” R.I.P. Brandon.
SARAH KNOBLICH- Sarah Knoblich is thrilled to be in TeamSTAGES. She is currently an eighth grader at Rockwood Valley and has been performing in community theatre for many years. Sarah has many credits at COCA including Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Seussical, Once on this Island and Annie. Sarah has performed with many choirs including the Allegro show choir (COCA), Sound Celebration, Rockwood Show Choir, St. Louis Children’s Choir, and RVMS choir. Sarah has taken many voice, acting, and dance classes at the STAGES Academy; she currently studies voice with Victoria Carmichael at STAGES. She has also performed with Alpha Players in the Sound of Music as Louisa. Sarah is currently in the Variety Children’s Theatre production of the Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Other theatre groups Sarah has been involved in include: Y-Rep Kids, Belleville Center for the Arts, and the RVMS drama department. Sarah would like to thank everyone at STAGES for this opportunity especially Victoria, Catalina, Rob and Debbie Devine. Thanks to the entire TeamSTAGES creative team for an awesome opportunity.
LEXI LESSARIS- Lexi Lessaris is a seventeen-year-old junior at Nerinx Hall High School. This is her second year with TeamSTAGES, and she feels honored to be part of the coolest troupe in town. Lexi has been performing since she was five years old. Some of her favorite roles at Nerinx include a Nubian Slave (Aida in Aida), a crazy 8 year old (Tina Denmark, Ruthless), and a man stuffed with hay (Scarecrow, Wizard of Oz). In addition to shows at Nerinx, Lexi has participated in shows at Kirkwood-Crestwood, Characters & Company, Shooting Star, and Metro Theatre Company. Lexi studies voice with Vicki Smith and Neal Richardson (both of Webster University), and dance with various instructors. She has also studied musical theatre at Interlochen Arts Camp, and has been honored to be the National Anthem soloist at a Busch Stadium Cardinal’s game and other events. Lexi sends thanks to the STAGES clan, as well as her friends and family.
SAVANNAH LIGHT- Savannah is elated to be an ambassador for TeamSTAGES... "more people should know how cool STAGES is." Savannah is a freshman at Nerinx this year. She enjoys nothing more than performing. She performed last summer in STAGES ST. LOUIS' performance of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Other work includes roles for Opera Theatre of St. Louis, Shooting Stars Productions, CBC, Chaminade, and Kirkwood/Crestwood. Savannah's training includes voice with Nance St. James and Garrett States, dance with Krupinski Academy and ADT, piano with Katie Kopff and violin with Julia Proleiko. Savannah would like to thank TeamSTAGES for including her in this enriching (and "totally awesome") theatrical experience
PJ PALMER- PJ is 15 years old. He is honored to return to TeamSTAGES for his second year. He has been a member of the Muny Kids for four years. Favorite roles include Lewis Leonowens in The King and I at the Muny (Kevin Kline nominee) and Noah Gellman in Caroline or Change at the Black Rep (Woody Award nominee). He also appeared in the STAGES production of Gypsy, Joseph and the Fox production of Joseph. He thanks his teachers Mark Krupinski, Terri Merideth, Nance St James and STAGES for this opportunity.
JORDAN RACKLEY- This is Jordan’s first year with TeamSTAGES and she is ecstatic to be part of such an amazing group! Jordan is a freshman at Mehlville High School where she is a Pantherette and a member of the National Junior Honor Society. Jordan has been granted the opportunity to appear in 42nd Street at the Muny, High School Musical Jr., Seussical Jr., and Annie Jr. at Crestwood-Kirkwood Youth Theatre, and Beauty and the Beast at Looking Glass Playhouse. She is a member of the Camp Broadway Alumni Association and danced in the 2005 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. As well as performing on the stage, Jordan has also graced the big screen with a small role in the feature film Kit Kitteredge: An American Girl. Jordan dances at Professional Dance Center and studies voice with Lisa Casciola, a wonderful teacher whose support and encouragement is never ending. She would like to give thanks to God, her family, teachers, friends, and TeamSTAGES for believing in her.
ARIANE RINEHART- Ariane Rinehart began performing professionally at age seven with STAGES in Carousel as well as Marta, Sound of Music and Shanti, Jungle Book. Other professional roles include Ace at the Repertory Theatre; Baby Louise, Gypsy (MUNY); Birgitta, Sound of Music (MUNY); Eva, Rimers of Eldritch (Soundstage Productions); Children’s Chorus, Hansel and Gretel; and ensemble, Cavellerina Rusticana with Opera Theatre of St. Louis; and Children’s Chorus, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the Fox theatre. She has been the only child vocal soloist with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and chorus having performed in Summer Sun, Winter Moon now made in to a documentary for PBS and premiered at the 2008 St. Louis Film Festival. Ariane has performed with St. Louis Ballet’s Company in The Nutcracker as Clara and Polichinelles variation and performed with the Corpes de Ballet in Cinderella. Community theatre credits include: Cinderella, Cinderella; Belle, Beauty and the Beast; Laurie, Oklahoma; and Annie, Annie. Ariane achieved state level in solo and vocal competition, All Surburban Honors Chorus and she is in Lindbergh High School’s select a capella chorus and chamber choir. Ariane studies voice with Nance St. James, ballet at St. Louis Ballet and jazz with Kari James.
JORDAN SCHULZ- Jordan Schulz, a sophomore at Visitation Academy, is thrilled and honored to be a member of TeamSTAGES. She's so excited to have the opportunity to bring music to the community with such an awesome and passionate group of performers! She cantors at her church, is a member of the Visitation Chamber Choir and International Thespian Society, and this past spring won first place in the National Association of Teachers of Singers Musical Theater Auditions. She has been in several shows, portraying characters such as Little Red Riding Hood in Into the Woods, a pea-picker, beggar, and revolutionary in Les Miserables, and Marjorie Cook in the Missouri premier of the musical Curtains. This summer she is honored to travel with Visitation Academy to Edinburgh, Scotland to perform the part of Leann in the play A Piece of My Heart as part of The Fringe Annual International Theater Festival. In addition to theater, Jordan loves volunteering, being involved in Student Council and National Junior Honors Society. She also enjoys spending time with her friends and family, whom she would like to thank for all of their love and support.
CAITLIN WEBB- Caitlin is a sophomore at Lafayette Senior High and is honored to be a part of TeamSTAGES for the first time. Caitlin has been performing for a long time and is glad she can continue doing what she loves. Some of her favorite roles include Miss Hannigan in Annie, Jafar in Aladdin, Becky in The Little Princess and Alice in Thoroughly Modern Millie. In her spare time, Caitlin likes to sing, read, exercise and go boating with friends on the Mississippi River. Caitlin wants to thank her family, Howard, Sandi and Hannah for always supporting her. Also, she would like to thank Lisa Christine Fahey, Jason Fahey, Karlyn Alderson, Larry D. Pry, Darcy Johnson and Becky Viola for being her fabulous teachers. Lastly, Caitlin would like to thank TeamSTAGES for this wonderful opportunity.
