Meet Our Staff and Board of Directors
2022 Summer Theater Staff
*^Director- Dana Petrini-Cheadle
*Music Director & Head Stage Manager- Renee Murray
Props Master/ Assistant Stage Manager: Nikki Schmittinger
*^ Choreographer- Dana Teague
*Set Designer/Counselor- Aaron Shugarts
*Certified Education Professional
^ CPR and First Aid Certified
===================================================================
Lighting Effects/Sound- Jim Oldt - Sound n' Company
Videography- Artistic Hands Productions
Thank you to Kingsway Regional High School for their continued support of our program.
Our Creative Team
Dana Petrini-Cheadle (SWLT Founder/ Artistic Director/Director) In 2008 Dana graduated from Rowan University with a BA in Early Childhood Education/Special Education, a BA in American Studies, and a minor in Child Drama. She is pursuing her masters in applied Behavior Analysis to become a BCBA. Dana was given her stage debut in 1st grade as the "mother in the shoe." After that theater became a very important part of her life. She has been teaching in the Swedesboro-Woolwich School District since 2008. With the support of the former principal, Jim Marchesani, she started the 2nd grade drama club at the Stratton School in 2009. In 2010 the school district helped her expand her dream by funding a summer theater program. The following summer, there was enough interest and support from the town to branch out from the school district and become a non-profit organization. Dana is extremely grateful for her family and friends' endless encouragement and support.
Renee Murray (music director/stage manager) graduated from York College of Pennsylvania with a BA in Music Education and a focus on vocal studies. In the past, Renee has appeared in productions such as “Saturday Night”, “Gallantry”, “Jesus Christ, Superstar!” and even SWLT's dinner theater production of "Clue:The Musical!" While in Pennsylvania, she was an instructor of dance, music, and theater at Experimental Movement Concepts as well as piloting and instructing the studio’s Glee Club program. Renee is the choir director at Salem High School and she was awarded 2017 Teacher of the Year! Renee has been working with SWLT since 2013. She is thrilled to have the opportunity to work with such a great organization!
Dana Teague (SWLT Players Choreography) began dancing when she was three years old and has always had a passion for the arts. After graduating from Glassboro High School she went to Rowan University where she received a degree in both Elementary Education with a coordinate in Music and a degree in Special Education. In 2015 and 2018, she received her Master of Arts in Reading and Master of Arts in Administration. While at Rowan University, Dana was part of the Rowan Dance Team and Rowan’s Dance Company. She was also a dance teacher for Let’s Dance Studio and taught classes of all ages in the areas of ballet, tap, jazz, musical theater, clogging, modern, and hip hop. Currently, she is a dance instructor at Noelle's Dance Academy in Mantua, NJ. In addition to teaching dance, she has been the head choreographer at both Glassboro High School and Swedesboro Woolwich Little Theater’s Teen Company. Her choreography credits include Footloose, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Fiddler on the Roof, Guys and Dolls, Beauty and the Beast, Oliver!, Once Upon a Mattress, Once on This Island, Seussical the Musical, Shrek the Musical, Sister Act, Mary Poppins, Aida, Godspell, Legally Blonde The Musical, and The Wedding Singer. Besides choreographing, Dana also is a Full Time Instructor at Rowan College of South Jersey and an adjunct professor at Rowan University. She has been married since 2007 and has two boys, Anthony and Jeremy, who also have the same passion for the arts.
Aaron Shugarts (Set Designer/Counselor) graduated from the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey with a BA in Interdisciplinary Visual Arts. Aaron is a teacher with the Clayton Public Schools for middle school Art, high school Photography, Theater & Drama, and drill instructor with the marching band. Aaron worked on numerous set designs and stage crews during both his academic and professional careers.
Nikki Schmittinger (Props Manager/Assistant Stage manager) graduated from Glassboro High School in 2019. During her time there, she starred in 6 shows, including her debut show "A Christmas Carol" and her senior performance in "Mary Poppins". Nikki was the head of props for all 6 of the shows she was in. Now she is a visual artist who loves to paint, draw, and be creative. Nikki has a true passion for the arts and currently is working toward her bachelors degree in Art Education at Rowan University. Nikki is excited to graduate in 2023 and become an elementary or high school art teacher. She's so excited for the opportunity to work with SWLT and is grateful to collaborate with such an amazing group of fellow artists and theater-lovers!
Our Board of Directors
Artistic Director/Founder- Dana Petrini
President- Patti Martin
Vice President- Lisa Campbell
Treasurer- Ed Martin
Secretary- Colleen Sabo
President- Patti Martin
Vice President- Lisa Campbell
Treasurer- Ed Martin
Secretary- Colleen Sabo
Patti Martin (Board President) has been delighted to watch Swedesboro Woolwich Little Theater become a success within her community. Patti an elementary school educator, received her BA in Elementary Education from Glassboro State College, and has a MA in Elementary Education from Walden University. Patti and Ed’s daughter expressed an early passion for musical theater when she was part of Miss Petrini’s second grade drama program. Since then, the Martins have been eager to support Swedesboro Woolwich Little Theater as an organization that gives students the opportunity to continue to develop their interest in all facets of theater.
Lisa
Campbell (Board Vice-President) graduated from Rowan University with a BA in
Special Education, Elementary Education, and Language Arts. Lisa has been an
English Language Arts teacher for over 10 years. She has over 20 years of
experience in working with individuals with disabilities. She is the Yearbook
Advisor/ Editor in Chief, PRIDE chairperson (establishes a Positive
Relationship between School and Community). Lisa has organized and recruited
volunteers for ice cream socials, book fairs, literacy nights, and welcome back
to school events. Lisa is the proud mother of Corrie who has been part of the
program since its inception.
Ed Martin (Board Treasurer) has loved being a part of Swedesboro Woolwich Little Theater since it’s beginning. Mr. Martin, an engineer with PSEG, earned his BS in Mechanical Engineering from Polytechnic University and a MS in Mechanical Engineering from Villanova University. Ed grew up on Long Island, New York where his family had a great deal of involvement in the performing arts. As a resident of Woolwich Township, Ed wanted to help establish a forum where his daughter and friends could have the opportunity to grow and perform in theater.
Colleen Sabo (Secretary) is honored to be part of the Swedesboro Woolwich Little Theater team. Currently a Marketing Communications Manager for Advance Publications, Colleen has more than 15 years’ experience in Communications and Event Planning, and earned her BS in Marketing from the University of Delaware. Colleen and Tony’s daughter thankfully did not inherit her stage fright and has a tremendous passion for theater and music. A 10-year resident of Swedesboro Woolwich, Colleen is thrilled to contribute to the great opportunity that SWLT offers young people in our community with an interest in the performing arts.
Positions on the SWLT executive board are a non-paid, volunteer position. Board members are dedicated to making SWLT a successful theater program for our community.
If you would like to be part of the SWLT board, please visit the employment & volunteers page for information.
If you would like to be part of the SWLT board, please visit the employment & volunteers page for information.
Committees
Registration/Tickets- is responsible for creating the registration forms and collecting forms and payments at SWLT registrations. They will organize the information and input the information into a program, such as excel, on the computer. A member of the committee will make sure all of the monetary collections are given to the treasurer the same day as registration. They will also complete any other tasks the board deems necessary. At meetings, a committee member will present ideas created by the committee members to the officers for approval.
Fundraising- will be responsible for organizing several fundraisers throughout the year to raise money for SWLT. At meetings, a committee member will present ideas created by the committee members to the officers for approval.
Advertising- is responsible for advertising SWLT’s performances and programs to the public, They will design and create/purchase items such as brochures, newspaper articles, posters, lawn signs. The committee will contact newspapers/news stations prior to performances in attempt to set up an interview. They will also complete any other tasks the board deems necessary. At meetings, a committee member will present ideas created by the committee members to the officers for approval.
Technology- will keep the website updated; create graphic designs and logos for the organization, research equipment the board is looking to purchase to find the best quality and price. They will keep the organization up to date with new technological advances that could benefit the program. If needed, they will assist during performances by setting up and running sound/electronic equipment. They will also complete any other tasks the board deems necessary. At meetings, a committee member will present ideas created by the committee members to the officers for approval.
Ad Book/Program- will solicit local businesses and families’ of SWLT members for advertisements in the program. The committee will decide on a good price for each ad size, create forms to give to local businesses and families’ of SWLT members. They will create the ad book/program for each show. The committee will also complete any other tasks the board deems necessary. At meetings, a committee member will present ideas created by the committee members to the officers for approval.
Costumes- Within budget they will organize, design, create, sew, pick-up, purchase/rent all costumes necessary for SWLT productions. They will work with the Artistic Director to design costumes for each production. They will keep electronic records of the costume information indicated on the audition forms. They will attend dress rehearsals and assist cast members in trying on costumes. At least two (2) committee members will attend 100% of a performance in order to mend any costumes and answer questions. Following each performance, they will see that all costumes are hung up/folded neatly. Following the final performance, they will clean, store (return if borrowed/rented) all costumes to the correct places. The committee will also complete any other tasks the board deems necessary. At meetings, a committee member will present ideas created by the committee members to the officers for approval.
Set Design/Construction- they will design, build, purchase, and borrow the set pieces needed for each SWLT production. They will work with the Artistic Director to design the set for each SWLT production. . At least two (2) committee members will attend 100% of a performance as stage crew. Following the final performance, they will clean, store (return if borrowed) all set pieces in the correct places. The committee will also complete any other tasks the board deems necessary. At meetings, a committee member will present ideas created by the committee members to the officers for approval.
Fundraising- will be responsible for organizing several fundraisers throughout the year to raise money for SWLT. At meetings, a committee member will present ideas created by the committee members to the officers for approval.
Advertising- is responsible for advertising SWLT’s performances and programs to the public, They will design and create/purchase items such as brochures, newspaper articles, posters, lawn signs. The committee will contact newspapers/news stations prior to performances in attempt to set up an interview. They will also complete any other tasks the board deems necessary. At meetings, a committee member will present ideas created by the committee members to the officers for approval.
Technology- will keep the website updated; create graphic designs and logos for the organization, research equipment the board is looking to purchase to find the best quality and price. They will keep the organization up to date with new technological advances that could benefit the program. If needed, they will assist during performances by setting up and running sound/electronic equipment. They will also complete any other tasks the board deems necessary. At meetings, a committee member will present ideas created by the committee members to the officers for approval.
Ad Book/Program- will solicit local businesses and families’ of SWLT members for advertisements in the program. The committee will decide on a good price for each ad size, create forms to give to local businesses and families’ of SWLT members. They will create the ad book/program for each show. The committee will also complete any other tasks the board deems necessary. At meetings, a committee member will present ideas created by the committee members to the officers for approval.
Costumes- Within budget they will organize, design, create, sew, pick-up, purchase/rent all costumes necessary for SWLT productions. They will work with the Artistic Director to design costumes for each production. They will keep electronic records of the costume information indicated on the audition forms. They will attend dress rehearsals and assist cast members in trying on costumes. At least two (2) committee members will attend 100% of a performance in order to mend any costumes and answer questions. Following each performance, they will see that all costumes are hung up/folded neatly. Following the final performance, they will clean, store (return if borrowed/rented) all costumes to the correct places. The committee will also complete any other tasks the board deems necessary. At meetings, a committee member will present ideas created by the committee members to the officers for approval.
Set Design/Construction- they will design, build, purchase, and borrow the set pieces needed for each SWLT production. They will work with the Artistic Director to design the set for each SWLT production. . At least two (2) committee members will attend 100% of a performance as stage crew. Following the final performance, they will clean, store (return if borrowed) all set pieces in the correct places. The committee will also complete any other tasks the board deems necessary. At meetings, a committee member will present ideas created by the committee members to the officers for approval.