Ashley Waldron

Dance Teacher / Stage Manager / Assistant Director

Ashley has been a dancer for as long as she could walk, she specializes in hip hop but teaches all forms of dance. She has been a dance teacher for over 10 years, and you may have seen her at the Central School Dance program located in Glen Rock NJ. When Ashley isn't working as a dance teacher, she is working in the technical theatre world as a New Jersey based Stage Manager. Having always been involved in the arts, she takes pride in being able to not only work while doing what she loves, but to watch each performer reach their full potential!

Alexa Rose Passante

Acting Teacher / Assistant Director

Alexa is an actor, singer, dancer, entertainer, and teacher. In May, she received her Masters in Fine Arts (MFA) degree in Acting from the prestigious Actors Studio Drama School at Pace University. She also has been studying voice privately with NYC instructor, John Zupan for the last 9 years. She is also represented by Alexander Management for TV, Film, Theatre and Commercials. In her undergrad, she was an honors student at the University at Albany and earned a BA in Theatre with a double concentration in Musical Theater and Psychology. Recent NYC credits include The Laramie Project (her off Broadway debut this past May), An Offer You Can’t Refuse (New York Theatre Winter Festival 2023 at Teatro LATEA), Edge of Tonight (Winner of Best Play at Equity Library Theater of NY Summer 2023), and Daddy Long Legs The Musical (Actors Studio Drama School Festival). Alexa has also been a performer in various entertainment shows such as Snake River Expedition (Cedar Point Live E! 2022), Spooktacular Dance Party (Frightfest at Six Flags Great Adventure 2022), Poinsettia Princess (Holiday in the Park at Six Flags Great Adventure 2022), and IcePops: Dancing Duo Elves (Holiday in the Park at Six Flags Great Adventure 2021). She is very excited to be joining as a teaching artist to help inspire and cultivate a fun, learning environment for the next generation of young performers to come. Website: www.alexarosepassante.com

Sarah Barbi

Director

With over 25 years of experience in education and school administration, Sarah brings her love of the theater and her expertise in directing musicals, stage plays and junior productions to our studio. Having worked with students from ages 4 to ages 18 in over 20 different productions, Sarah has a BA in English Literature with a concentration in Dramatic Literature and MA in Education/Supervision, and holds teaching certification on the K-5 and 9-12 levels as well as NJ Principal’s certification.

A lover of theater and musical theater, Sarah has worked as a theatrical fundraiser, Assistant Director and Director of varied productions, including Moana, Chicago, School of Rock, The King and I, Arsenic and Old Lace, Rumors, and most recently, Into the Woods and West Side Story both named Rising Star Productions by the New York Conservatory of Dramatic Arts. Students who have performed on her stage have been awarded over 70k in scholarships to performing arts schools and programs and she currently directs two mainstage productions each year at Hudson Catholic Regional High School as well as a summer production for students across all grade levels. In addition Sarah serves as Assistant Principal of Hudson Catholic, teaches an upper level Acting elective and oversees the Fine and Performing Arts Department. She is excited to work with Curtains Up and inspire more and more children to find their theatrical talents!