Meet our 2014 Summer Workshop Staff
Courtney Boches
is a teacher, designer, and performer in Philadelphia and the surrounding suburbs. She graduated from Villanova University with an M.A. in Theatre in May 2014. While there, she worked in the costume shop and in various capacities on eight professional productions, including stage manager, performer, and costume designer. She has directed numerous children's musicals in the area and worked as a theatre teacher with ages three and up. Acting credits include It's A Wonderful Life (Mary Bailey), Seussical (Mayzie LaBird), The Drowsy Chaperone (Trix), among others. She is currently the costume designer for Twelfth Night with Commonwealth Classic Theatre Company, which will be performed free in area parks in July 2014. www.courtneyboches.com
is a teacher, designer, and performer in Philadelphia and the surrounding suburbs. She graduated from Villanova University with an M.A. in Theatre in May 2014. While there, she worked in the costume shop and in various capacities on eight professional productions, including stage manager, performer, and costume designer. She has directed numerous children's musicals in the area and worked as a theatre teacher with ages three and up. Acting credits include It's A Wonderful Life (Mary Bailey), Seussical (Mayzie LaBird), The Drowsy Chaperone (Trix), among others. She is currently the costume designer for Twelfth Night with Commonwealth Classic Theatre Company, which will be performed free in area parks in July 2014. www.courtneyboches.com
Caitlyn Colgan
is extremely excited to be returning for her second year as the dance intern/choreographer for the summer workshops! Caitlyn is a junior Public Relations major at York College of Pennsylvania. At YCP, she is also a member of the YCP Dance Team and a sister of Phi Mu. This summer you can also see Caitlyn as the Wicked Witch, Pied Piper, and Duloc Dancer in the mainstage production of Shrek the Musical. Caitlyn has been dancing for about 16 years and would not be where she is today without the guidance of the Shrek choreographer, Gail Oldfield, and her daughter, Jenn Oldfield. Previous theatre experiences includes The Boyfriend (Gladys), Bye Bye Birdie (Lead Sad Girl), Oliver! (Charlotte Sowerberry), The Wizard of Oz (Lead Jitterbug). Caitlyn has loved working for Firebird Theatre and would like to thank every director, intern, and member of the production staff for making it such a fun and enjoyable experience.
is extremely excited to be returning for her second year as the dance intern/choreographer for the summer workshops! Caitlyn is a junior Public Relations major at York College of Pennsylvania. At YCP, she is also a member of the YCP Dance Team and a sister of Phi Mu. This summer you can also see Caitlyn as the Wicked Witch, Pied Piper, and Duloc Dancer in the mainstage production of Shrek the Musical. Caitlyn has been dancing for about 16 years and would not be where she is today without the guidance of the Shrek choreographer, Gail Oldfield, and her daughter, Jenn Oldfield. Previous theatre experiences includes The Boyfriend (Gladys), Bye Bye Birdie (Lead Sad Girl), Oliver! (Charlotte Sowerberry), The Wizard of Oz (Lead Jitterbug). Caitlyn has loved working for Firebird Theatre and would like to thank every director, intern, and member of the production staff for making it such a fun and enjoyable experience.
Abby Gould
is a sophomore at Elizabethtown College, where she studies Early Childhood Education with a concentration in Special Education and a minor in Theater Performance. Abby has been acting for about 13 years and has been involved in all aspects of theatre, from performing to lighting to directing and stage-managing. She has been involved in many theatrical organizations, including the Phoenixville Area High School’s Theatre Guild, the Greater Philadelphia CAPPIEs, the Forge Theatre, Drama Kids International, and Firebird Children’s Theatre. This summer you can see Abby on the Firebird Stage in Shrek the Musical as Pinocchio!
is a sophomore at Elizabethtown College, where she studies Early Childhood Education with a concentration in Special Education and a minor in Theater Performance. Abby has been acting for about 13 years and has been involved in all aspects of theatre, from performing to lighting to directing and stage-managing. She has been involved in many theatrical organizations, including the Phoenixville Area High School’s Theatre Guild, the Greater Philadelphia CAPPIEs, the Forge Theatre, Drama Kids International, and Firebird Children’s Theatre. This summer you can see Abby on the Firebird Stage in Shrek the Musical as Pinocchio!
Andrew Vitovitch
is a sophomore at SUNY Fredonia and he is excited to be interning with the Firebird
Theatre. He is excited to be working intensively with so many talented people and enjoys helping so many young artists become better performers. Andrew has performed in many shows including The Miracle Worker, Arsenic and Old Lace, and the Firebird Theatre’s own production of Shrek the Musical where he will be playing Shrek. He would like to thank his friends and family for their constant support as well as their faith in his ability. Andrew looks forward to completing his Theatre Arts and Psychology double major and cannot wait to perform in numerous shows and venues in his, hopefully, long professional career.
Words to live by:
“I don’t try to be awesome. It just comes natural.” ― Rick Riordan
is a sophomore at SUNY Fredonia and he is excited to be interning with the Firebird
Theatre. He is excited to be working intensively with so many talented people and enjoys helping so many young artists become better performers. Andrew has performed in many shows including The Miracle Worker, Arsenic and Old Lace, and the Firebird Theatre’s own production of Shrek the Musical where he will be playing Shrek. He would like to thank his friends and family for their constant support as well as their faith in his ability. Andrew looks forward to completing his Theatre Arts and Psychology double major and cannot wait to perform in numerous shows and venues in his, hopefully, long professional career.
Words to live by:
“I don’t try to be awesome. It just comes natural.” ― Rick Riordan
Alyssa Briddes
is incredibly stoked to be Firebird’s film intern! A Cinema Production Major at Point Park University, Alyssa is thrilled to be combining her three favorite things at the Firebird camps: film, theater and art. Alyssa has been having a blast making films and digital sets for Firebird as well as helping with character development and random accent coaching for the colorful and talented cast of Beauty and the Beast. Not a newbie to Firebird, she was last seen in productions such as Bye Bye Birdie (Mae Peterson) and in Wizard of Oz (Cowardly Lion). This summer she is playing the role of Ogress Fiona in Firebird's Shrek the Musical. In her spare time she likes to binge watch movies, drink tea, and bake snickerdoodles. She would like to thank the incredibly gifted team of creative geniuses here at Firebird Theatre for never ceasing to be kind and brilliant at what they do!
is incredibly stoked to be Firebird’s film intern! A Cinema Production Major at Point Park University, Alyssa is thrilled to be combining her three favorite things at the Firebird camps: film, theater and art. Alyssa has been having a blast making films and digital sets for Firebird as well as helping with character development and random accent coaching for the colorful and talented cast of Beauty and the Beast. Not a newbie to Firebird, she was last seen in productions such as Bye Bye Birdie (Mae Peterson) and in Wizard of Oz (Cowardly Lion). This summer she is playing the role of Ogress Fiona in Firebird's Shrek the Musical. In her spare time she likes to binge watch movies, drink tea, and bake snickerdoodles. She would like to thank the incredibly gifted team of creative geniuses here at Firebird Theatre for never ceasing to be kind and brilliant at what they do!
Logan Hanning
is currently entering her sophomore year at Kutztown University,
attacking a double major in Art Education and Fine Arts. This is her first time
interning with Firebird Theatre and she has to say it is the most wondrous
experience making art and working with children – the two things she loves most!
She has been known for her enjoyment of 80’s buddy cop movies, the amount of
tea she consumes, swing dancing, and her affection towards plants (and
adventure!) In her spare time, she works at an organic farm and loses to everyone at the game of ‘Candyland.’ She would just like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank everyone who made this internship possible for her – it is a dream come true!
is currently entering her sophomore year at Kutztown University,
attacking a double major in Art Education and Fine Arts. This is her first time
interning with Firebird Theatre and she has to say it is the most wondrous
experience making art and working with children – the two things she loves most!
She has been known for her enjoyment of 80’s buddy cop movies, the amount of
tea she consumes, swing dancing, and her affection towards plants (and
adventure!) In her spare time, she works at an organic farm and loses to everyone at the game of ‘Candyland.’ She would just like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank everyone who made this internship possible for her – it is a dream come true!
Alexa Ross
is very excited to be spending her third summer with Firebird Theatre and her first as an intern, bringing two of her favorite Disney classics to life on stage. Her previous roles at Firebird include her favorite roles of Rosie Alverez in Bye Bye Birdie and the Wicked Witch of the West in Wizard of Oz. Other roles include Anytime Annie (42nd Street), Lily (Annie), Mae (Pajama Game), and Violet (Willy Wonka). Most recently, she was seen as Andrea and a leading storyteller in Once on This Island at Perkiomen Valley High School where she just recently graduated. She will be attending Temple University in the fall and is excited for all the opportunities the future holds!
is very excited to be spending her third summer with Firebird Theatre and her first as an intern, bringing two of her favorite Disney classics to life on stage. Her previous roles at Firebird include her favorite roles of Rosie Alverez in Bye Bye Birdie and the Wicked Witch of the West in Wizard of Oz. Other roles include Anytime Annie (42nd Street), Lily (Annie), Mae (Pajama Game), and Violet (Willy Wonka). Most recently, she was seen as Andrea and a leading storyteller in Once on This Island at Perkiomen Valley High School where she just recently graduated. She will be attending Temple University in the fall and is excited for all the opportunities the future holds!
Steph Hodge
is totally psyched to be back at Firebird this summer as an intern for Beauty and the Beast, Jr! She's an incoming Theatre Major (acting/directing) at DeSales University, and she's performed in over 30 shows over the past 5 years. Her favorite previous credits include Laura in "The Glass Menagerie," Sister Leo in "Nunsense," the Jester in "Once Upon a Mattress" (Spring-Ford Community Theater); the Scarecrow in "The Wizard of Oz," Chiffon in "Little Shop of Horrors," Meg in "Little Women" (Spring-Ford High); and Kim MacAfee in "Bye Bye, Birdie," Dorothy in "The Wizard of Oz," Blousey in "Bugsy Malone" (Firebird Theatre). She's portraying Hermia in Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" (Shakespeare in the Park, July 18 & 19) and Jane in Disney's Tarzan, (August 7-9) this summer, in addition to getting to work with these amazingly talented Firebird Kids!
is totally psyched to be back at Firebird this summer as an intern for Beauty and the Beast, Jr! She's an incoming Theatre Major (acting/directing) at DeSales University, and she's performed in over 30 shows over the past 5 years. Her favorite previous credits include Laura in "The Glass Menagerie," Sister Leo in "Nunsense," the Jester in "Once Upon a Mattress" (Spring-Ford Community Theater); the Scarecrow in "The Wizard of Oz," Chiffon in "Little Shop of Horrors," Meg in "Little Women" (Spring-Ford High); and Kim MacAfee in "Bye Bye, Birdie," Dorothy in "The Wizard of Oz," Blousey in "Bugsy Malone" (Firebird Theatre). She's portraying Hermia in Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" (Shakespeare in the Park, July 18 & 19) and Jane in Disney's Tarzan, (August 7-9) this summer, in addition to getting to work with these amazingly talented Firebird Kids!
Emily Beckers
is going into her first year at Northeastern University as a computer science major with a focus on music technology. She is the designer of the sound for the Firebird Workshop's summer productions of Beauty and the Beast and 101 Dalmatians. She has been an assistant to the sound designer at Arcola Middle School for several years, working on shows such as Guys and Dolls, Once on this Island, and Into the Woods, and The Wizard of Oz. She was also the director of the choir for the Methacton chapter of the Tri-M Music Honor society, and assisted with the choirs at Methacton High School, as well as a few of the groups at Arcola. This summer, she directed the ensemble rehearsals for Beauty and the Beast. She would like to thank all the teachers and mentors that have inspired her to become so involved, her family for driving her to all of the rehearsals even though she's technically old enough to get a driver's license, and the cast of Beauty and the Beast for being a great group of kids, and teaching her twice as much as she's taught them.
is going into her first year at Northeastern University as a computer science major with a focus on music technology. She is the designer of the sound for the Firebird Workshop's summer productions of Beauty and the Beast and 101 Dalmatians. She has been an assistant to the sound designer at Arcola Middle School for several years, working on shows such as Guys and Dolls, Once on this Island, and Into the Woods, and The Wizard of Oz. She was also the director of the choir for the Methacton chapter of the Tri-M Music Honor society, and assisted with the choirs at Methacton High School, as well as a few of the groups at Arcola. This summer, she directed the ensemble rehearsals for Beauty and the Beast. She would like to thank all the teachers and mentors that have inspired her to become so involved, her family for driving her to all of the rehearsals even though she's technically old enough to get a driver's license, and the cast of Beauty and the Beast for being a great group of kids, and teaching her twice as much as she's taught them.
Kim Stratoti
is a freshman at Montserrat College of Art. She has been involved with theatre all her life and adores it with a passion. Accomplished on and off the stage, she was recently Annie Sullivan in Forge Theatre's The Miracle Worker as well as voted most artistic for the Methacton Class of 2014. She is absolutely thrilled to be able to use her expertise in everything from dragon making to donkey hooves. In the future she hopes to become a costumer for Broadway or the movies. She would like to thank her mom for thinking Kim was cute enough to be allowed to live, despite the numerous craft supplies currently taking over the house. Kim is currently working on several projects for this summer's productions on the Firebird Stage.
is a freshman at Montserrat College of Art. She has been involved with theatre all her life and adores it with a passion. Accomplished on and off the stage, she was recently Annie Sullivan in Forge Theatre's The Miracle Worker as well as voted most artistic for the Methacton Class of 2014. She is absolutely thrilled to be able to use her expertise in everything from dragon making to donkey hooves. In the future she hopes to become a costumer for Broadway or the movies. She would like to thank her mom for thinking Kim was cute enough to be allowed to live, despite the numerous craft supplies currently taking over the house. Kim is currently working on several projects for this summer's productions on the Firebird Stage.
Safiyyah Jones
is pumped to be an intern with Firebird Theatre this summer. She has done stage crew and tech crew with us for the past two summers. She is looking forward to her Senior year at Phoenixville Area High School. Safiyyah also loves to act and sing and has been in several fall plays and musicals like The Drowsy Chaperone, Legally Blonde, Romeo & Juliet, and Big. She can't wait for opening night of Beauty and the Beast and 101 Dalmatians!
is pumped to be an intern with Firebird Theatre this summer. She has done stage crew and tech crew with us for the past two summers. She is looking forward to her Senior year at Phoenixville Area High School. Safiyyah also loves to act and sing and has been in several fall plays and musicals like The Drowsy Chaperone, Legally Blonde, Romeo & Juliet, and Big. She can't wait for opening night of Beauty and the Beast and 101 Dalmatians!
