Creative Team

 

RYAN PIFHER (Book/Director) is the Artistic Director of the award-winning Porch Light Studio, Stage & Schools performing arts center in Glen Rock, NJ. As a writer, his original musical Stage Fright (book/lyrics; music/lyrics by Jon Provan) was honored with an NJACT Perry Award for Outstanding Production of an Original Musical. His most recent play, A Christmas Tail, was also just recognized with 5 NJACT Perry Award nominations including Outstanding Production of an Original Play. As a director, Ryan has directed close to 100 productions including Jon Provan’s Coming of Age, a 2014 NYMF Official Selection. He received 2 NJACT Perry Awards for Outstanding Direction of a Musical for The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and the play RED. He was also nominated for Outstanding Direction of a Play on both Five Women Wearing the Same Dress and Noises Off, where he also played Lloyd Dallas. An an actor, Ryan has appeared in numerous plays, national tours and TV/film roles. Most recently, he received rave reviews for his performance in the Off-Broadway run of Game of Thrones: The Rock Musical. Finally, it was recently announced that Ryan will be inducted into the 2018 NJACT Hall of Fame for theater education.
 
JON PROVAN (Music & Lyrics/Musical Director) is a composer, lyricist and librettist from Caldwell, NJ. His newest musical Push The Envelope (book/music/lyrics) premiered at Rhino Studio 237 in June 2018. Social Studies (music/lyrics; book by Ryan Pifher) won 8 awards at the New York Theater Festival (NY Summerfest), including Best Score and Best Play Or Musical, in addition to the 2017 NJACT Perry Award for Outstanding Original Musical. Now available for licensing, Social Studies ran in Lititz, PA this May and is headed for both the Jersey Fringe Festival in Hammonton, NJ and the Park Theater in Glens Falls, NY this August. Jon's song cycle Coming Of Age (book/music/lyrics) enjoyed a sold-out, extended run at the 2014 New York Musical Theatre Festival. He received the 2013 Perry Award for Outstanding Music Direction (The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee) and the 2014 Perry Award for Outstanding Original Musical (Stage Fright, music/lyrics; book by Ryan Pifher). His show Cracked! (book/music/lyrics) received Perry Award nominations in 2016 and 2017 for Outstanding Original Musical as well. Other produced works include Random Acts Of Horror (music; book/lyrics by Steve Strangio) and Turtle On The Fridge, a play co-written with Kayla Kirk. Also a singer and solo artist, Jon has written hundreds of songs for theatre, rock bands, film scores and web series.
 
ALLISON SCOTT (Choreographer) is a NJ/NY based performer/choreographer/teacher and the resident choreographer for the Youth Performance Troupe and various other shows at Porch Light Studio, Stage & Schools. She holds a BFA in Musical Theatre and a BA in Jurisprudence, Law & Society from Montclair State University. Most recently, Allison choreographed for the tap dance review show, Time Step, at the Broward Stage Door Theatre in Florida, in which she also danced. Selected choreography credits include: 42nd Street, The Drowsy Chaperone, Little Women, Bonnie & Clyde, Aida, Funny Girl, Stage Fright, and The Addams Family. Allison originated the choreography for Social Studies, for which in 2017 she received the award for Best Choreography at NY Summerfest. allisoncscott.com
 
ZACH PIZZA (Lighting Designer) Selected credits — NYC: Return to Spoon River (Theater Row), On the Head of a Pin (59E59), Coming of Age, Two-Month Rule (NYMF), Kallie (CAP21), Dream Babies (St. Clements Theater). Regional: Smokey Joe’s Cafe, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Little Theater on the Square), Outgoing Tide, Electric Baby, 100 Years, The Other Place (Dreamcatcher Rep), Janey Miller's World Tour (Art House Productions), Crowns (The Theater Project), Spring Awakening, Red (NJACT Perry Award, Porch Light Stage). Assistant LD: What I Did Last Summer (Signature Theater), Eugene Onegin (Spoleto USA). Assistant to LD: Rock of Ages (Helen Hayes Theater). Purchase College alum. zachpizzalighting.com
 

 

Cast

Abbie AndersonABBIE ANDERSON (Margaret — NYC) is an actress, singer, dancer and playwright. Favorite roles include Mayzie in Seussical, Kendra in 13 the Musical and Welch in Damn Yankees. Abbie performed with Broadway’s Melissa Erico and Orville Mendoza in the Off-Broadway musical Evergreen. Most recently, Abbie was seen Off-Broadway in the musical Pippin as a featured player. She performed at Radio City Music Hall as a soloist in the Garden of Dreams Talent Show. Abbie has studied at French Woods Festival of the Performing Arts, Broadway Workshop, A Class Act NY and Porch Light Studio, Stage & Schools.
 
Sam BradySAM BRADY (Cyd) is beyond thrilled to be playing Cyd in Social Studies. She was recently seen in Little Shop Of Horrors as Crystal at Wilkes University. Favorite roles include Wendla Bergman in Spring Awakening, Belle in Beauty and the Beast, and Demeter in CATS. She is currently attending Circle In The Square Theatre School. She would like to thank Jon and Ryan for allowing her to be a part of such an extraordinary show that is so relevant in today's society. She would also like to thank her family and friends for always being so supportive.
 
Edie CrowleyEDIE CROWLEY (Gilly) is a rising junior at Bergen County Academies as a theatre major. She was recently nominated for a Metropolitan High School Theatre Award for her performance as Princess Puffer in Bergen County Academies' winter musical The Mystery of Edwin Drood. Some of her favorite roles include Paulette in Legally Blonde, Marmee in Little Women, Ghost of Christmas Present in Scrooge, and Martha Dunnstock in Heathers: The Musical. Last summer, Edie received the Best Singer award at the New York Theater Festival's Summerfest for her performance as Gilly in Social Studies. She received a soloist award at the Onstage New York Competition for her solo "Diva’s Lament." Edie would like to thank her family and friends for their endless support and love, as well as Jon Provan and Ryan Pifher for this incredible opportunity.
 
Kelly Flatley KELLY FLATLEY (Emma) is a senior in the theatre program at Bergen County Academies, where she has appeared in Shakespeare’s Cymbeline as Arviragus, Hot Mikado as Pish Tush, Evita as Peron’s Mistress, and many others, including playing several roles in the annual One-Act Play Festivals. The character of Emma shares similarities with Chris Hargensen, the antagonist in Carrie The Musical, whom she had the opportunity to play at Porch Light Studio, Stage & Schools this past year. She spends much of her time writing music and playing gigs. You can find her music by searching her name on SoundCloud.
 
Kate GlennonKATE GLENNON (LP) is an upcoming senior at James Caldwell High School. She was most recently seen in Fiddler On The Roof as Chava. Kate performed with the Paper Mill Playhouse Broadway Show Choir and Voices of Paper Mill in the 2016-2017 season. She was also seen performing in "Red, White and Broadway" at Feinstein's/54 Below. Some favorite past roles include Serena (Legally Blonde), Judas (Godspell), and Kim McAfee (Bye Bye Birdie). Kate would like to thank her parents for all of their love and support. She would also like to thank Jon, Ryan, and the rest of the cast and crew for this amazing experience!
 
Kat HebertKATHERINE HEBERT (Grace, Park Theater) is elated to be working with Jon and Ryan again. Katherine is a is a recent college graduate of a BFA musical theatre program. She is currently represented by Apex Talent Group, and her previous credits include 12 Girls in a House and Carrie the Musical. Feel free to check out her website at katherinehebert.com or follow her on instagram at Katherine_hebert1624. Katherine would like to thank her parents for their constant support and Jon and Ryan for this opportunity.
 
Claire KwonCLAIRE KWON (Megan — NYC) is a rising senior at Bergen County Academies in the theatre program. Some of her favorite roles include Pitti-Sing in Hot Mikado, Belarius in Cymbeline, Hannah in the play “girl.”, a soloist in Hair, and a choir member in Our Town. She was recently nominated for a Metropolitan High School Theatre Award. She is also a co-producer of Masterclasses at the Academies, a student-run theatre event for high schoolers. She is a winner of Amateur Night at the Apollo Theater and placed 3rd in the National Classical Singer Competition.
 
Ginger MayGINGER MAY (Grace — NYC, Jersey Fringe) is entering her sophomore year at Bridgewater Raritan High School and her second year at the Rutgers High School Musical Theater Academy. She is voice-training with Tamara Jacobson and is a member of Broadway Mentors Program. Favorite roles include Sharpay from High School Musical, Dragon from Shrek, Rizzo from Grease, and more.
 
Allison ScottALLISON SCOTT (Megan — Jersey Fringe, Park Theater) is thrilled to jump into her own choreography as Megan in Social Studies! Selected credits include 42nd Street (Lorraine Fleming), Time Step, Beauty and the Beast (Belle), Company (Amy), Hair (Crissy), and West Side Story. Allison holds a BFA in Musical Theatre and a BA in Jurisprudence, Law & Society from Montclair State University. She is the resident choreographer for the Youth Performance Troupe at Porch Light Studio, Stage & Schools, and a YoungArts 2014 Winner for Musical Theatre. allisoncscott.com
 
Meg WhyteMEG WHYTE (Margaret — Jersey Fringe, Park Theater) is a rising Sophomore at Glen Rock High School. Past roles include Girl in Coming of Age, Margaret in Social Studies (Porch Light Studio, Stage & Schools, May 2017), Marcy Park in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Lisel in The Sound of Music, Annie in Annie, and Businesswoman in Babes in Arms. Meg was a part of Porch Light's Youth Performance Troupe for 4 years, and she recently studied at the New York Film Academy. She is also an active member of the Glen Rock High School Theatre Company. Meg won 2 Platinum awards for her solos "Blue Hair" and "Kindergarten Love Song" at the OnstageNY competition.