Emily is proud to be making her Spotlight Arts Collective debut as the Director of the Young Actors Developing Artist Studio show this year! When not doing musical theatre, you can find Emily teaching general music and 5th grade choir at Anna McDonald Elementary School in Manhattan, or spending time with her favorite two people, her husband Joe and her son Jamie. Are you ready, kids?!?!

Joe is thrilled to continue his work with Spotlight! You may remember him as the music director for Spotlight Arts Collective’s winter 2023 production of Joseph…Dreamcoat and Lonny in the Spotlight fall 2022 production of Rock of Ages. A Lockport native, he lived in central Illinois since completing his Bachelor’s in Vocal Music Education from Eastern Illinois University in 2011. For the last 7 years, Joe was the middle school and high school choir and theatre director in Shelbyville, IL. While teaching in Shelbyville, Joe also returned to EIU to receive his Masters in Music Education, completing the degree in 2018. This school year, Joe has taken the position of Choir Director at Hadley Middle School and Homer Jr. High School in Homer Glen, which is what brought him back to the Chicago suburbs. As a director, Joe led productions of High School Musical, Footloose, The Little Mermaid, Godspell, The Addams Family, Arsenic and Old Lace, Fiddler on the Roof, A Christmas Carol Radio Play, We Will Rock You, and Beauty and the Beast at Shelbyville High School. Onstage, some other favorite roles include Gomez Addams (The Addams Family), Lazar Wolf (Fiddler), and Bobby Strong (Urinetown). A big thank you goes out to his wife Emily and son Jamie for all their love and support!

Dominic, a typical rising 7th grader, is ambivalent about working his first Theatre Tech show. He has background in planning Monster Jam truck shows, rail fanning, narrating weather forecasts and playing percussion in MJH band. He hopes you like his set designs. Thank you for supporting him and his sister!

This is Kennedy's first time assistant directing any show! She has been in 11 shows including "All Together Now", "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat", and "Moana Jr.". Kennedy loves working with kids and is so thankful for such an amazing cast.

Noah is an incoming 7th grader in New Lenox. He previously worked as the Prop Master for his 6th grade production of Socking the Octopus this past spring. Noah also enjoys golf, art, and Boy Scouts. He is excited to be a part of SpongeBob the Musical and Go Fish.

Jennifer Corp did her undergraduate work in theatre, music and dance at Illinois State University and earned her Master’s degree in Music Education from VanderCook. Last year, Jennifer left her 22 year career as choral conductor of an award winning junior high program to spend more time with her family. This year she was happy to direct “Joseph” and produce “Rock of Ages” for Spotlight while serving on the Governing Board. She has worked with all ages, pre-k to adult, with numerous theatre, dance and music groups throughout the region and teaches in her private music studio. These days she is happy to be spending more time in her role as mom to Gabrielle (and she gets to direct her too!). Jennifer has also recently taken on the position of Director of Group Education and Programs at Simply Music, New Lenox campus. “Thank you to the wonderfully supportive parents who have blessed me with the gift of working with their children this summer!”

Kyna is delighted to return as Producer for these two amazing shows. Thanks to a fabulous production team, all who donated their time and talents and the kids who were an amazing bundle of energy every night!

Sadie is 14 years old and is very excited to have gotten the opportunity to work as a student director. She has taken part in several musicals with Spotlight and hopes to continue with them. She would like to thank her family, friends and the director for a great experience.