MANCHESTER SUMMERSTAGE

Eric Vendt, Director Eric is in his fourth season as Director of Manchester SummerStage after previously directing Grease, School of Rock, and Matilda. Having graduated from Gordon College with a degree in Literature and Theatre, Eric has been involved with several different theatre projects on the North Shore including shows at Essex Christian Academy and Pingree School, History Alive's production of Cry Innocent: The People Vs. Bridget Bishop, and his own theatre camps at Brookwood School and Camp Mitchman. Eric also serves on the board of Friends of Manchester Essex Performing Arts, which aims to support, promote, and advocate for robust Performing Arts programs in the local school district. When not in Manchester, Eric can often be found teaching math at Rockport Middle High School. Eric would like to thank Carolyn, Sean, and Cate for their tremendous support.

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Sophia Kallianesis-Collins Music Director Vocals Sophia is thrilled to be back as Music Director at Manchester Summerstage. Sophia graduated from Salve Regina University with a B.A.S. in Music Education and a minor in Theatre Arts. Previously, Sophia was Music Director of MSS’s production of Peter Pan and Grease. She grew up on stage with Manchester Summerstage and loves having the opportunity to return to the MSS Team. After leaving Summerstage in 2022, she moved to South Carolina where she taught elementary music at Cane Bay Elementary School. When not at Summerstage, Sophia can be found teaching History at Landmark School, teaching private voice lessons or performing in her band, Double Edge. Manchester Summerstage has shaped Sophia into the performer she is today and she hopes to have a similar impact on the rising cast members.

 

Ben Icenogle, Music Director Orchestra Ben is the middle school and high school choral director at Manchester Essex Regional School District and just completed his sixth year there. Ben (or as he is known at school, "Mr. Ice") has been the music director for the last four musicals at the high school, which include The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Mamma Mia, Freaky Friday, and most recently, Shrek. He additionally had the pleasure of co-directing Drop Dead Juliet in MERMS's first entry into the METG Middle School One Act Festival (Dramafest). Ben is thrilled to be working on his first SummerStage production. He would like to give a shout out to all of his students for their joy and energy, as well as his mother, Kathy and fiancé Michelle for keeping him sane while he learns the Tango (which apparently requires more than one person).

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Eve Poliskey, Choreographer Eve is a 2024 graduate of Wheaton College MA, where she majored in Psychology and Public Health. She taught dance classes throughout high school and was a Captain of the Wheaton College Dance Company. Eve is thrilled to be returning to Summerstage for a fourth year to work on the Addams family. She hopes to continue working with Summerstage in the future and plans to pursue a career in the psychology field—ideally one that allows her to keep working with kids.

 

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