Lisa Beth Vettoso (Director / Producer): Lisa founded Aspire Performing Arts Company in 2011, fulfilling her dream of creating a theatre home for young people. With Aspire, she has produced more than 60 productions and events. Previously, she served as Artistic Director of the BG Theatre Club for five seasons. Lisa holds a B.A. in Communication and Theatre from Villanova University and a Master’s in Educational Theatre from NYU. She is currently the Executive Director of Literature to Life, a nonprofit arts-in-education organization, and has held leadership roles at The Art School at Old Church, The New York Pops, American Repertory Ballet, the NYC Arts in Education Roundtable, and Carnegie Hall. She thanks her husband, Jay, for his love and support; her family for cheering at every show; and her son, Henry John, for being the joy of her life. Every performance is dedicated to her parents, Alice Pachon and John Vettoso, Aspire PAC’s biggest fans.
Rich Lovallo (Music Director) is a graduate of Ramapo College with a B.A. in Theatre and has worked professionally as a music director at the scholastic, collegiate, community, and professional levels for many years. He has music directed 14 Aspire productions over the past eight years and has directed or music directed numerous shows for Rhino Theatre. Rich was also part of the voice faculty for the NJPAC Summer Youth Performance Workshop and served as resident musical director at the Worth-Tyrrell School of Performing Arts in Morristown, NJ for 14 years. Outside of theatre, he is the Director of Music Ministries at Butler United Methodist Church in Butler, NJ, and a co-founder and current President of the Triad Arts Ensemble, where he also sings with the Triad Vocal Ensemble. With Triad, he performs annually in a benefit concert for NJ AIDS-related charities (www.canticlesforlife.org). Rich is the husband of his wife, Jennifer, father to Sophie, Anna, Marcus, and Michael, and grandfather to Julian. He gives all glory and praise to God for the gift of music.
Melanie Della Peruti (Choreographer) is thrilled to be choreographing her 16th show with Aspire PAC! She previously choreographed Aspire’s productions of Frozen Jr., Into the Woods Jr., Rent, 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 she is currently a third-grade teacher. She is incredibly proud of the cast and grateful for their hard work. Special thanks to Lisa, Leigh, Madie, and Cheryl for being such a great team!
Madie Jones (Stage Manager) is a graduate of Montclair State University with a B.A. in theatre studies and specific interest in stage management. They are very excited to be working again with Aspire. They have previously worked with a few other companies, including children's shows with JCC on the Palisades Scool of Dance and Drama. They cannot wait to see these amazing kids shine!
Cheryl Wilbur (Production Manager) is happy to be celebrating her 53rd production with Aspire PAC! She is so proud of the cast and crew for all of their hard work and dedication!
