Meet the Directors

My name is Charley Ann Priola. I am a wife, mother of 5 children, and "Glamma" to two twin granddaughters. I also call myself mom to three Saint Bernards, one Black Lab and 2 cats. I currently work at Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES as a Secretary to Instructional Support Services, School Boards Institute and Arts in Enrichment. I have been involved with Ilion Little Theater as a parent volunteer for quite a few years while watching my children take the stage with the rest of their amazing cast. I recently was in my first production at Ilion Little Theatre, "12 Incompetent Jurors" and hope for many more to come in my future.

This is my first time Co-Directing the Youth Actors Workshop but am very excited to begin this journey. My goal for this year's summer program is to introduce children to the basic fundamentals of theater while instilling confidence, compassion, acceptance and positivity. I am thankful for my Co-Director, Aimee Cotto and together believe we will make this summer a memorable experience.

Hi! I am Aimee Cotto. I am thrilled to work alongside Charley Priola as co-director of YAW. Our vision for the summer theatre program is for youth actors to have fun, to learn more about theatre, to become more confident, to take risks, and to build relationships and friendships with the cast members and the directors.

My acting passion began in high school. I loved being part of the musicals at Ilion Jr./Sr. High, and performed in one-act plays at ILT and other local community theatre programs.

Having missed being part of the theatre for so long, I was delighted when I landed a role in ILT's production, "Jeeves at Sea" last fall. I also performed in "Miracle on 34th Street" and "Game Show" at Ilion Little Theatre, and "Frankenstein" at Players of Utica.

I am an Ilion native, proud wife, mother of three terrific sons, and Spanish teacher at Richfield Springs Central School. I also serve on the Ilion Little Theatre Board as secretary.