Meet our Directors and Staff
Director: Eric Vendt
Music Director, vocal: Sophia Collins
Music Director, orchestra: Abby Frost
Choreagrapher: Eve Poliskey
Stage Manager: Margo Tsouvalas
Eric Vendt, Director graduated Gordon College with a BA in English Literature and Theatre. He went on to teach theatre for four years at Essex Christian Academy, served in many roles in the theatre program at Pingree School, had a six-year run as an actor and director with History Alive’s original production of Cry Innocent: the People Vs. Bridget Bishop, co-founded childrens’ educational theatre group Paper Tiger Productions, and ran summer theatre camps at Brookwood School and Camp Mitchman. As an actor, his credits include The Dentist in Little Shop of Horrors, Bottom in A Midsummer’s Night Dream, Paul in You Can’t Take It with You, and Lt. Schrank in West Side Story. Among Eric’s directing or assistant-directing credits are Twelve Angry Men, Peter Pan, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Into the Woods, and Dear Edwina, Jr. He is currently coordinator of the math department at Rockport High School. Eric has been a Manchester SummerStage parent for five years, and is thrilled to join the creative team this year as director.
Sophia Collins, Music Director Vocal is recent graduate of Salve Regina University where she majored in Music Education and a minor in Theatre Arts. While at Salve, Sophia was involved in theatre all 8 semesters either on the stage or as Music Director! She spent 9 years on stage with Manchester Summerstage, most recently as Belle in their production of Beauty and the Beast in 2018. Sophia is so excited to be Music Director again this summer after having such an amazing summer last year with Peter Pan! She is actively training in vocal and acting performance in various choral ensembles, vocal lessons, acting classes, and theatre performances. This fall, Sophia finally gets to add ‘Elementary Music Teacher’ to her resume and could not be more excited. Summerstage has given her the foundation needed to become a successful (future) teacher.
Eve Poliskey, Choreographer is a current Junior at Wheaton College MA majoring in Psychology and minoring in Education. She trained for dance at Cape Ann Center for Dance in Beverly where she also taught several classes throughout highschool. After putting teaching aside to focus on school, Eve misses working with passionate kids who love to learn and grow, and is excited to work on Grease this summer. Eve is currently on the Wheaton College Dance Company and is extremely excited to join the Summer Stage staff this year!