A Brilliant Light Creative

Skylar Stratemeyer

Stage Manager

Skylar Stratemeyer (she/her/hers) is thrilled to be backstage once again to stage manage this wonderful production! She is currently working toward her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a Specialization in Drama Therapy at Lesley University in Cambridge, MA. When Skylar is not working as a professional stagehand around South Florida or studying for her degree, she spends her time as an intern at the Center for Child Counseling using play therapy services with children in her community. As she works toward becoming a registered drama therapist (RDT) in the future, she loves these opportunities to continue learning from and being inspired by young artists such as these dancers in this production of “A Brilliant Light”.

Trinity Stratemeyer

Makeup Artist

Trinity Stratemeyer is a graduating nurse and currently working toward her Bachelor’s in Biology with the intent to pursue a Doctorate in Neonatology. When she is not studying, she loves to hone her skills as a makeup artist. Trinity has had the honor of working on "A Brilliant Light" in the past and is thrilled to be back again to share her love for makeup with all of the beautiful talent in this production!

Nancy Oster

Script Editor

Nancy Oster has written on subjects such as cooking and food production for Edible Santa Barbara Magazine, co-authored a book on Making Informed Medical Decisions, and created the bug-filled recipes for Chet the Gecko’s Detective Handbook (and Cookbook). She has worked as a writing tutor at Santa Barbara City College and edits academic papers, marketing literature, and an occasional novel. She also worked as Senior Editor for the UC Education Abroad Program. Nancy finds being invited into the thrilling world of aerial dance and having the opportunity to work on the narrator storylines with Maria-Elena Marso an adventure in creativity and has gained an appreciation for what this means to everyone involved in these exceptional productions.

Joe Marso

Sets/Props

A native of Santa Barbara, Joe worked for years as a test technician for Delco, diagnosing and repairing Carousel 4 Inertial Navigation Systems and F-16 Fire Control Computers. He is presently a Muscle Activation Techniques RX practitioner, restoring strength and flexibility to professional golfers, tennis players and the NY Mets during spring training.

Molly Rainis

Assistant Choreography

Molly's years of theater and ballet was evident as she created a most memorable Toy Soldier act.

Paige Williams

Assistant Choreography

Paige is the technique coach for Cirque Etude, Cirque Jeune and Junior Troupe.

Brent Durham

Additional Choreography

As lead teacher for Cirque Etude & Cirque Jeune, you will see his choreography in Playing Cards, Jack in the Box, most notably the Duo Strap Act

Sarah Timperman

Assistant Choreography

Sarah is the technique coach for the Guest Artists (affectionately known as the Jupiter Troupe) Sarah specializes in Lyra and has self-choreographed her act.

Lily Hochstetter

Additional Choreography

Lily's portrayal of the Mechanical Ballerina on Trapeze is self-choreographed.

Original Creative Team

Writer, Director & Choreographer: Maria-Elena's performance career spans four decades and six continents. Performance credits include dozens of works in Regional Ballet Companies, Dinner Theater, Summer Stock, Repertory Theater, Busch Gardens, European Tours, Cunard Cruise Lines and Walk Disney World Productions: Tokyo, Japan.

Florida Aerial Dance & Circus Arts, LLC Artistic Director, Maria-Elena Marso

Choreographic credits include full-length productions of The Music Man, How to Succeed in Business, Fiddler On The Roof, Mamma Mia, Chicago, Grease, Footloose, Carousel, Shrek the Musical, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Cabaret, and many more.

Maria-Elena has taught Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Acting, and Musical Theater to hundreds of students across the country. She has taught at the illustrious Adderley School for the Performing Arts in Santa Barbara and the Pacific Palisades, as well as The San Diego Civic Dance Association. She is a member of American Youth Circus Organization (AYCO/ACE) and is certified through the prestigious Nimble Arts Program at New England Center for Circus Arts (NECCA)