Staff Members

About Our Staff (past and present)

Coleytown Company provides high quality theatre instruction because of the people we hire. As you can tell from the bios below, we bring in the best of the best to work with your children.

Andrzej Anweiler: Musical Director - holds a masters of music from Manhattan School of Music and has been an assistant professor of music at Sacred Heart University. He has served as musical director for The Eugene O'Neil International Theatre Symposium, The Goodspeed Opera House, and SHU Performing Arts Center. He has also been the composer of a number of musicals currently in print.

Peter Barbieri Jr.: Set Designer, an established force in technical theatre since 1979, has created works that extensively toured over 175 cities throughout the United States and abroad. Peter is the resident Set Designer for The Westchester Broadway Theatre in New York and The Curtain Call Theatre in Stamford Ct. Recent projects include highly successful productions of Jekyll & Hyde and 1776. Broadway credits include the Tony Award winning revivals of Cabaret and A View From A Bridge and The Prince of Central Park, as well as the New York premiers of Kopit/Yeston’s Phantom and James Michener’s Sayonara. Peter’s vast technical knowledge and driving creative energy make him an asset to many of New York’s established theatre companies such as The Roundabout, The York Theatre and The Classic Stage Company. Peter is very happy to be doing the Wiz and hopes that you enjoy it.

Michelle Berti-Lozza: Choreographer & Theatre Workshop Specialist - has been working as a professional actor, dancer, singer and a teacher of the arts for the past seven years. She finished performing with the Broadway and National Tour productions of Cathy Rigby's PETER PAN in January 2000. She is now working towards her MA in Educational Theatre at New York University. Her other most memorable performance experiences include the West Coast Tour of MY FAIR LADY with Jodi Benson, Alice in SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS, Jill in the tour BABES IN TOYLAND, Sister Mary Amnesia in NUNSENSE, and Betty Rubble in the Universal Studios live stage show THE FLINTSTONES SHOW. Prior to coming to New York, Michelle taught at the Malibu Ballet Studio by the Sea where she taught the children of many well knows actors (Daniel Stern, Mel Gibson, and Gary Sinise).

Brett Boles: Vocal Director - is an award-winning composer, lyricist, bookwriter, and music director. His work has been performed by TONY nominee Jeremy Jordan (Smash, Newsies, TV’s Supergirl), TONY nominee Josh Young (Jesus Christ Superstar), the stars of Broadway’s Matilda, among others. Brett has had the privilege of working alongside some of theatre’s greatest performers and vocalists, including Brian Stokes Mitchell, Christine Ebersol, and Linda Eder. In January 2013, Brett co-conceived From Broadway With Love, A Benefit Concert for Sandy Hook, during which hundreds of Broadway performers came together to show support for the Newtown community. The concert took place at the Palace Theater in Waterbury, was recorded and released by Broadway Records, and later aired on PBS. Recently, Brett wrote and performed a song for Broadway Against Bullying at Feinstein’s 54 Below in NYC and Feinstein's at the Nikko in San Francisco. As a performer, he has taken part in many community theatre productions over the years, and performed with the Broadway cast of Les Miserables in 2003. As a director, he has been the resident director of the Trumbull Youth Association’s summer productions for the past four years. As a music director, Brett was honored with the CHSMTA Award for Music Direction in June 2015. His voice and acting students have been accepted into some of the country’s best musical theatre and acting programs over the past eight years. Brett is a member of the TONY Award Winning BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop in NYC, as well as a proud member of the Dramatist Guild of America.

Kevin Connors: Musical Director - has been represented Off-Broadway as composer and/or director of numerous musicals including PRIME TIME PROPHET (composer/lyricist/director – Players Theatre) and writer/ director/choreographer of JUKEBOX SATURDAY NIGHT at The Ballroom. In addition, he composed six original songs for the play THE ABANDONED LOVES OF FREDERICK R. (by playwright Randy Buck) at the Westbeth, and currently under film option. Non-musical theatre credits include the musical score for the play LIFE ANONYMOUS by award-winning playwright N. Richard Nash at the 45th Street Theatre. Other musical collaborations have included LOVER, BABES OFF BROADWAY (finalist for the Michael Stewart Production Award and workshopped at Arts and Artists at St. Paul’s), SALOON, SUZY Q, and the title song for the film MISSING THE MOON. Last season, Mr. Connors’ work was featured in "The Songbook Series for Musical Theatre Composers" at the Donnell Library in NYC. Other produced works include BAH HUMBUG – A GILBERT AND SULLIVAN CHRISTMAS CAROL (writer/director) at the Stamford Center for the Arts, SIX FEET UNDER THE BIG TOP (composer/lyricist – University of Bridgeport, CT) and JUST LIKE A WOMAN (composer/lyricist – Music Theatre of Connecticut, directed by Morton DaCosta). Mr. Connors began his career touring nationally in his own act with Bob Hope, Henny Youngman, and Johnny Mathis; as well as around the world aboard the ships of Cunard Cruises and in top NYC cabarets. He and co-founder Jim Schilling moved to Westport in 1985 and founded Music Theatre of Connecticut in 1987. Since then, at MTC, Mr. Connors has directed or musically directed most of the Equity Mainstage productions including COLE, SOMETHING’S AFOOT, YOURS, ANNE (nominated for Connecticut Critics Circle award); and A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC. He has also penned original musical scores for numerous student musicals including ALICE IN WONDERLAND, PINOCCHIO, SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS, WINNIE-THE-POOH, and CINDERELLA. Other Connecticut credits include directing several productions for New England Lyric Operetta including CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS and OPERETTA IN RED, WHITE AND BLUE. He has also served as Adjunct Professor of Musical Theatre at the University of Bridgeport and The Hartt School of Music/University of Hartford. In 2000, Mr. Connors’ debut CD, THE THINGS WE NEVER SAY, was released through Original Cast Records and is currently available on amazon.com and cdnow.com.

Ben Frimmer: Artistic Director - Training: Ithaca College (BFA – Acting), Sacred Heart University (MAT – Teaching), New York University (MA – Educational Theatre). As an actor Mr. Frimmer starred off-off-Broadway in Chaim Potok's world premiere production of THE CARNIVAL, and was also seen in THE GALLERY at the same theatre. At The Dorset Theatre Festival, in Vermont, he performed the title role of RUMPLESTILTSKIN, while stage managing a three month run of NUNSENSE. In Connecticut he has performed professionally with The Downtown Cabaret Theatre, and The Peanut Butter Touring Theatre. Local audiences may remember him as Moonface Martin in ANYTHING GOES, as Motel the Tailor in FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, as Oscar in SWEET CHARITY, and as the lovable Seymour Krelbourn in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS. He has appeared in the background of several films and starred in one entitled HIM OR ME. As a director he has been responsible for over 25 productions with both children and adults. In 1988, Mr. Frimmer served as the assistant to producer Roy Somlyo, for the 1988 TONY AWARD SHOW in New York City.

Steve Gilliam: Set Designer - Director of Theatre and Professor of Drama at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas, and Resident Scenic Designer for The MUNY in St. Louis. Steve's career began over 35 years ago at Timber Lake Playhouse in Mt. Carroll, Illinois. Today, he and his wife, Sam Carter Gilliam, collaborate as a husband and wife theatrical design team (SLG Design & Creative Talent) with designs throughout the United States. Recent work include the national tour of Fiddler on the Roof, starring Theodore Bikel, the Sealion, Walrus and Otter Show at SeaWorld; art direction for Trendmasters' New York Toy Fair, a Christmas show for Legoland Theme Park in San Diego, and designs for the 87th Season at the St. Louis MUNY, America's largest outdoor theatre seating 12,000. The Gilliams have design credits with Chicago's Light Opera Works; Georgia's Springer Opera House; Six Flags Theme Parks in New Jersey, Houston, San Antonio and Dallas; Colorado Shakespeare Festival; Kansas City Starlight Theatre; Opryland Theme Park; Village Theatre in Seattle; Baltimore's Cockpit-In-Court; and ARTS San Antonio. A member of the United Scenic Artists, Local 829, Mr. Gilliam has been resident scenic designer for the past eleven seasons of music theatre at the MUNY in St. Louis. At Trinity, a member of the faculty since 1981, Steve is the Director of Theatre and teaches Introduction to Theatre, Principles of Design, Scene Design, University Theatre Company, Theatre Graphics and Scene Painting. He received his B.A. from the University of Northern Iowa and his M.F.A. from the University of Michigan.

Sami Ginzberg: Choreographer - is thrilled to be making her choreographing debut with CMS for one of her all-time favorite musicals, CINDERELLA. Sami is an English teacher at Staples High School. She has been dancing since the age of eight, and is classically trained in ballet, tap, and jazz. In 2008, she and her team won the 1st place title at Starbound National Dance Competition with their performance of the tap number “Spanish Guitar.” She studied under the tutelage of Terry Gambardella of Dancer’s Gallery for 10 years before going on to dance and choreograph for the Uconn Dance Company at the University of Connecticut. There, she studied hiphop, contemporary, musical theater, and latin ballroom and performed biannually. Sami has been involved behind the scenes in various productions including Amity High School’s production of GODSPELL and B’nai Jacob’s production of A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM. Sami is also a certified POUND instructor and is a ZUMBA enthusiastic among other forms of active group fitness.

Cindy Lutz: Stage Manager/Choreographer - has created dances for many Company productions including...PETER PAN, BYE BYE BIRDIE, ANNIE WARBUCKS, and ANYTHING GOES. While attending Rowan University (many years ago), she completed a dance minor. She has taught dance classes and workshops here at CMS, in college, and for years later. Cindy, currently a King's Highway Elementary School teacher returns to CMS each year to call our mainstage production.

Liz Milwe: Choreographer - is an award-winning dance filmmaker, choreographer, and college lecturer. Liz choreographed the Cha-Cha Sequence in Broadway’s production of The Cemetery Club and has worked both Off-Broadway and for MTV. Her Parent’s Award winning dance DVDS for kids include the groundbreaking Hip Hop for Kids, and the sequel, POP LOCK & BREAK. As a filmmaker, Liz has received recognition and awards at dance film and independent film festivals around the world, including: Festival International de Video-Dansa, Naples. Italy, The Mostra de Video Dansa, in Barcelona, Spain, and at NYC’s Dance on Camera Festival. Her work has aired on PBS’s “The Short List,” and her most recent dance film, “The Wedding,” won a Gold Special Jury Award at the Worldfest Houston, and Audience Awards at the New Haven Film Festival at Yale University and the Da Vinci Film Festival in Seattle. Liz has taught dance at Sarah Lawrence College and at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Her work can be seen on www.hiphop4kids.net.

Justin Paul: Musical Director - played John in Coleytown Company's first production, PETER PAN. Justin went on to be the youngest Musical Director at Coleytown Company, taking over the musical directing reigns of Footloose in his senior year of High School. Currently he is 1/2 of the musical theatre writing team Pasek and Paul. They are the winners of the 2007 Jonathan Larson award and at age 21 became the youngest recipients in the history of the foundation. The team's musical revue EDGES has been performed numerous times at various professional venues and colleges throughout the country and is available for licensing through Music Theatre, International. Pasek and Paul are writer's for John Tartaglia's Disney Channel television series JOHNNY AND THE SPRITES and contributed music to Off-Broadway's upcoming WHITE NOISE (A CAUTIONARY MUSICAL) which won Talkin' Broadway's 2006 Summer Theatre Festival citation for Outstanding Original Score. Mr. Paul is also the Musical Director for the much celebrated BROADWAY BOYS.

Dodie Pettit: Vocal Coach - is an actress, singer, dancer, and songwriter. Just returning from a national tour of the Broadway show TITANIC, Ms. Pettit was also an original Broadway cast member of Andrew Lloyd Webber's PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, completing a 6 year run of the show, including a 2 1/2 year U.S. national tour, appearing in the role of Christine Daae in Philadelphia and Boston. Prior to this, she performed in CATS on Broadway. Between these two shows alone, she has nearly 4,500 shows to her credit, a milestone that only a handful of Broadway performers have achieved. Prior to Broadway, Dodie was a principal dancer with the Garden State and Princeton Ballet Companies. A BMI songwriter whose credits include songs on the Billboard Pop and Dance charts, Shel Silverstein's Grammy nominated A LIGHT IN THE ATTIC and the film CRITTERS, she has released 2 CD's of original pop/country songs. She is married to Broadway actor Kevin Gray, star of Broadway's PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, MISS SAIGON, & THE KING AND I.

Lynn Riegler: Vocal Coach - studied piano at the Julliard School and holds a Masters Diploma in Vocal Coaching and Accompanying from the Vienna Conservatory of Music. She spent 8 years living in Vienna playing extensively in Austria and Germany. She was musical director of the International Theatre in Vienna for over five years as well as being the pianist for the American Embassy in Vienna. She has performed at the Vienna State Opera, the Vienna Conservatory, and the Esterhazy Palace, as well as the Wuerburg Opera House. In the U.S., Lynn has performed in countless classical recitals including Carnegie Hall, the Sunflower Hill Music Festival, and with the Island Chamber Musicians. She has been musical director/vocal coach for many shows including The Beggar's Opera, You're A Good Man Charlie Brown, Grease, West Side Story, Free To Be You And Me, Pippin, and most recently 06880: The Musical.

Meg Gordon Roe: Choreographer - brings her depth of knowledge of classical, modern ,and contemporary dance to inspire the CMS play. Ballet training started at The School of American Ballet at the age of 9 and she performed in all the productions calling for children with The New York City Ballet. At the age of 17 she was selected by George Balanchine to join the company. Toured throughout the United States ,Europe and Russia. After several years performing with NYC Ballet she decided to experience jazz and modern techniques and went to perform with the Alvin Ailey Dance Company while Mr. Ailey was the director. She has also performed with American Ballet Theater in all of their classical productions. After these diverse professional dance experiences she went to Fordham University and earned a degree in Buisiness Administration and Fine Arts.

Carol Schweid: Choreographer - has had many careers in the Theatre and has enjoyed every one of them. She's acted in dozens and dozens of plays and musicals including playing Fastrada in PIPPIN for Bob Fosse, STREET SCENE at NY City Opera, and the Original Broadway casts of MINNIE'S BOYS and A CHORUS LINE. She's traveled the country performing her one-woman show about American Choreographer, Agnes de Mille. (Including the National Portrait Gallery at the Smithsonian in DC and the Westport Library). She studied Theatre at Boston University and has a BFA from Juilliard in Dance. Director/Choreographer at Greens Farms Academy, Manhattanville College, the occasional Music Video and the infamous FORBIDDEN WESTPORT; Actor/Director member of the Theatre Artists Workshop; Co-producer of the popular lunchtime playreading series, PLAY WITH YOUR FOOD; and board member of the newest professional Theatre in the neighborhood, the Fairfield Theatre Company.

Ted Simons: Musical Director - is an accomplished Broadway, Television, Film, and Cabaret Musical director, composer, and arranger. He has been a creative force in corporate America, creating shows and films for more than 100 companies. His Broadway experience ranges from composing music for his first show POTHOLES, which was produced Off-Broadway, BYE BYE BIRDIE and ANYTHING GOES on Broadway. Ted also worked on the Mel Brooks film THE PRODUCERS, some of the Miss America Pageants, NBC's HULLABALLOO, television specials with Barbra Streisand, Ethel Merman, and Paul Anka. He has been a conductor and arranger for performers such as Bob Hope, Roberta Peters, the Four Seasons, Shari Lewis, Leslie Uggams, and many others. He was also the orchestra leader at the famed Waldorf Astoria Hotel in N.Y.C. He is currently performing around the world in one of his many entertaining one-man shows about the history of American popular music.

Susan Terry: Vocal Coach - Brings 17 years of professional experience with her. She made her Broadway debut in the original Broadway cast of EVITA. Other Broadway credits include ZORBA (with Anthony Quinn); CITY OF ANGELS which she co-starred opposite Tom Wopat of ANNIE GET YOUR GUN fame; and ANYTHING GOES at Lincoln Center. (Just for the record, she's done 3 different productions of ANYTHING GOES and hasn't tired of it yet.) She played Petra in New York City Opera's A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC which aired Live From Lincoln Center on PBS. Other PBS appearances include SONDHEIM, A CELEBRATION AT CARNEGIE HALL; AND FOLLIES IN CONCERT with the New York Philharmonic. She has appeared as a guest soloist with THE BOSTON POPS and the SCOTTISH OPERA. Any of you TV fans might have caught her in your youth in her one appearance on SHINING TIME STATION and in her three-week stint as The Prison Matron on ALL MY CHILDREN. When she's not chasing her two small boys around the house, she's teaching a musical theatre workshop for teens with two Fairfield colleagues.

David Ullman: Scenic and Lighting Designer. After a twenty year journey from the cornfields of Iowa to the East coast, David has established himself as a designer/production manager in the New York/tri state area. Some of his favorite shows include GUYS AND DOLLS, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, ACCOMPLICE, FOREVER PLAID (designed twice with two of the original cast members) and LOST IN YONKERS. More recent work includes Production Manager for the Brainard College Benefit with Phylicia Rashad, lighting design for Mademoiselle Magazine's Fall 2000 Westchester Show, and lighting design for the Saks 5th Avenue Fall 2000 Westchester Fashion show. David is also on the teaching faculty of Music Theatre of Connecticut.