Joey Nasta (Director) is a New York City-based actor, director, and producer. At Aspire PAC, he previously directed She Kills Monsters, Newsies JR., and the pilot production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory JR. Recently, he performed as Monty Navarro in A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder with the Light Opera of New Jersey and in Christmas at the Playhouse at the Hunterdon Hills Playhouse. Joey frequently works as a co-producer with off-Broadway producing collectives Honigman & Sons, and is Executive Producer of Spokehouse Productions, a site-specific theatre company that has produced work across NYC, from inside Vanderbilt mansions to Williamsburg bars.
Leigh Weinman (Music Director) is pleased to add her musical talent to this production. Leigh enjoys sharing her love of all forms of music through teaching and music directing, and she is especially passionate about collaborating with burgeoning young performers as they discover the thrill of musical theater while they develop and engage their talents. Leigh started her own journey in the theater during her high school years, which included a memorable opportunity to perform in the pit ensemble for a summer theater production of Pippin. It was this experience that instilled her longstanding love of the art, and the joy of the kinship that musical theater inspires. She also performs regularly as both a sole accompanist and as part of a pit ensemble for local high school and community theater productions in addition to teaching piano privately. Previously, Leigh musically directed Aspire's productions of Disney's Moana Jr., Disney's The Lion King Jr., 13 The Musical, Something Rotten, Shrek JR., The Prom, Mean Girls High School Version, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory JR. (pilot) and Urinetown, played in the pit orchestra for Aspire's Big Fish, and conducted from the keys for Something Rotten, Mean Girls, and Urinetown. Leigh would like to thank her fellow production team members, our talented cast and crew, and her family for managing without her while she’s off doing what she loves.
Melanie Della Peruti (Choreographer) is so excited to be choreographing her 14th show with Aspire Performing Arts Company! She previously choreographed Aspire's productions of Alice by Heart, Sweeney Todd, Newsies Jr., Into the Woods, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory JR., Dare to Dream, The Prom, The Addams Family, Shrek the Musical JR., 13, Legally Blonde, and Disney's Moana JR. Melanie is a graduate of Montclair State University where she studied dance and elementary education, and is currently a third grade teacher. She is so proud of the cast and cannot thank them enough for all of their hard work. Thanks to Lisa, Joey, Leigh, Gina, and Cheryl for being a great team!
Gina Gugliuzza (Stage Manager) is super grateful to be a part of the Aspire team once again in this production of Rent! Recent credits include Kodachrome and God of Vengeance at Rutgers Mason Gross School of The Arts, where she is currently studying stage management as a rising second-year student. Gina’s had an incredible experience working on this production, and is excited to finally show it to everyone!
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