When we set out on a path to produce this timeless classic we hoped it would be as magical as we had all envisioned. But what started as a twinkle in our eyes became a unforgettable trip to Neverland. The 1954 musical came to life on our stage, in a way that exceeded all of our expectations and left our audiences speechless as they revisited their own childhoods. We sprinkled them with fairy dust and they flew to the second star to the right and straight on til morning!
We truly became family on this stage and brought the community together for this once in a lifetime Christmas spectacular event!
‘I know a place where dreams are born and time is never planned..’
“Being Peter Pan was the most freeing experience I have ever been a part of.”
YC Nina Worsley: Pirate
Nina was called to lead many facets of the musical, her performance was exceptional!
“From the first day I walked into bootcamp…….. to the very last day on the stage, when a little girl in the cast came up to me, hugged me as tight as she could, and walked away [she left] an impact she didn’t even understand……..Impact is a labyrinth that we have to navigate through.”
As Nick made his way into his second production with SFA he brought a new twist to the character Smee.
“From the moment we were introduced, mixing the chocolate river to our last song after Mike TV shrunk to the size of an action figure, we did our best to put a smile on people’s faces while still revealing truth to everyone who came to watch the show. As long as we’ve done that- then we’ve done our job! …………… I gotta say, it was a blast!”
YC Payton Brogna: Jane
Payton captured this role to a T, ending the show on the most beautiful high note!
“Every time I walk on stage, energy and excitement rush through my body. Hearing the audience clap and cheer is a great feeling, but just knowing that you were able to share and let them be part of your story is something truly incredible.”
To every single business and person who helped THOUSANDS find Christmas in Neverland.
The SFA family was blessed to make a buzz and get great coverage from area outlets
This show was truly a journey, from SFA’s very own GOLDEN TICKET from WB, to the New Years Champagne toast! Please enjoy it with us!
Our challenges began as we attempted to make a timeless classic come to life in a new and exciting way while still capturing the story that everyone knows and loves. !
We held auditions and cast an extremely talented group of kids, professionals and adults. Our cast consisted of individuals not just from Lehigh Valley but from Jim Thorpe, Lehighton, New Jersey, Tobyhanna, etc.
Once we had our cast our next step was to start advertising and getting the word out there! We did everything from poster-hanging, T.V. spots, newspaper articles and shamelessly plugging the show at all of our Christmas concerts. We even spend a couple weekends in Jim Thorpe at the Jim Thorpe Inn singing outside and making ourselves known to the hundreds of people that walk through this beautiful little town every weekend.
We had to trust that if we got the word out there the audience would come. And we had to trust that if we created a beautiful product with our amazing cast we could, by word of mouth, get the audiences to increase night by night. Musical theatre requires a huge amount of trust in the people you choose to work with on and off the stage and we knew were putting our faith and trust in the right people to make this show a success.
The response was phenomenal! Our audiences were full! Schools brought their students, almost the whole little town of Jim Thorpe was there to see the magic, some public cam back TWICE because of how musch they loved what we presented.
We felt so incredible so incredible as we realized that we pulled off one of our most successful productions to date. We overcame challenges that we had never faced before from being in a new area/space, attempting to work with new equipment including a movie theater style projector, working in a space that was designed for concerts, teaching 30 kids an a capella rhythm section with drum sticks and expecting them to perform it flawlessly, creating new types of costumes including full body mascot type animal suites, we even performed a show during a snow storm for a special audience even though half our cast was unable to make it through the storm.
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is a graduate of LVPA 2007, a member of the first class to graduate from LVPA upon completing of all 4 years. Christopher subsequently attended Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster Pennsylvania where he studied medicine, while honing his skills and talents in theater and Japanese Language. Over the last few years, Christopher has spent time studying in the Rainforest in Australia and New Zealand, pursing studies in Shakespearean Theater at University of Houston’s Master of Fine Arts Department and teaching Suzuki Actors training classes and stage combat. With Aspirations for Medical School Christopher continues to serve now as a Paramedic for Easton Emergency Squad, City of Bethlehem and NOVA.
As Horton in Suessical With SFA, 2015
Todd has done 6 shows with Sing For America. He was in Beauty and the Beast (Maurice), The Addams Family (Uncle Fester), Hairspray (Wilbur), Godspell (Apostle), Seussical (Mr. Mayor). Other favorite roles he has played include The King and I (The King), Rocky Horror (Frank N Furter), Oliver (Fagin), Pippin (Charlemagne).
Todd as Maurice In SFA’s Beauty And The Beast, 2016
A seasoned musician and vocalist, Ian has worked with noted performers such as world-renowned LP percussionist Candido Camero, Richie Pena & Ziggy Diaz, Latin Grammy Nominee Maria Del Rey, and international Urban Praiserecording artist Floyd Ellsworth–just to name a handful.
Ian auditioned for American Idol Season 4 (Carrie Underwood, Bo Bice) where he made it to Hollywood. Out of over 100,000 auditioned, Ian was selected to go to the top 44 in the competition. Since that time, Ian has been seen on Fox Television, BET, and The Reality Network.
Ian is featured on The Lord’s Prayer Project. Produced by multi-Grammy winners Loris Holland and Jimmy ‘D’ Miller, featuring Howard Hewitt, Sheila E., James Ingram, Martha Munizzi, and many more. Presently, Ian is singing background vocalist with the Sony Music’s Méxican Pop Rock group Camila.
Ian Holmes Leading A Sing For America Rehearsal
Jenna loves all things performing, whether it be theatre, film, or television, she dreams of doing it all! She plans on moving to New York City soon after graduation and is so excited to see what the ” Big Apple” has in store for her.
When Jenna is not performing she loves adventuring! From trying new foods, reading a good book, exploring new places, or just grabbing a cup of coffee, Jenna is along for the ride! Want to learn more about Jenna?
Working With Youth During ‘The Little Mermaid’, 2016
Veronica
Veronica as Ursula in ‘The Little Mermaid’, 2016
Nina worsley, 16, was born in Plainfield, NJ and raised in Easton, PA. She has been in love with music since she taught herself how to play piano at the age of 4. She started performing at the age of 6 at Greater Shiloh Church playing Phyllis Weatly in a black history celebration written by her sister. From then on she fell in love with the arts, acting in every church production from the age of 6-10. Then she went on to dance and act in every show from 10-12. At 13 she did her very first show outside church walls, Sing for America’s production of “Hairspray” and hasn’t looked back. Nina spends her spare time writing/composing. She is currently writing a musical as well as continually growing as an artist with the help of Sing for America.
Tatyana Estrella was born In Allentown, Pa where she lives with her mom & dad and 3 siblings. She has performed with Sing for America in various shows including: Godspell, Beauty & the Beast, The Big Fish, The Little Mermaid, Madagascar, Once on this Island, and Little Shoppe of Horror. One of her favorite roles was Tiger Lilly in Peter Pan. Tatyana is a student at Lincoln Leadership Academy Charter school where she also participated in their theatre program. She had the lead role of Sandy in Grease as a high-school freshman and just recently played the scarecrow in The Wiz. She has been dancing since the age of 5 and added singing and acting at the age of 11 at the Arts Academy. Her passion for musical theatre shines through in her performances. She plans to continue studying musical theatre and dance in college.
Tristan J. Shuler As Eric In ‘The Little Mermaid’, 2016
Jorne Gilbert is a scholarship recipient of the Muhlenberg
College Theatre Program where he also plays football for
the Mules. He has been performing since he was a child and
can be seen in television shows such as Rescue Me and
Guiding Light. Jorne is co-founder of Sing for America Presents
where he teaches Scenic Design and Set Building.
Jewel Gilbert co-founder of Sing for America, is a
Theatre Major at Muhlenberg College which was named the #1
undergraduate college theatre program by The Princeton Review
for 2016. Jewel can be seen in many national television commercials
and has performed extensive voice-over work. Jewel
teaches Lighting Design and Acting classes when he isn’t
appearing on stage.
Teara Gilbert founding member of Sing for
America Presents, has enjoyed designing and building costumes
for several theatre companies and numerous shows. Her designs
mark all of Sing for America’s productions as unique, elaborate,
and extremely creative. Teara has appeared in commercials, lm,
video series, and done extensive print work. She especially
enjoys teaching Costume Design and Vocal Coaching.
Tasia Gilbert has been performing on stage,
television, and in print since she was a child. As co-founder
of her own non-prot 501 (c)(3) she has experienced
every aspect of the stage including directing, choreographing,
building props, sewing costumes, and marketing to
audiences. She enjoys teaching actors of all ages and all
levels of experience from amateur to professional.
Taryn Gilbert began performing as a dancer
in NYC where she toured with the Shadow Box Theatre. Out
of her love of dance and performance grew Sing for America
Presents, a charitable group whose purpose is to bring Light
to the world through entertainment. Taryn has experienced
many aspects of the arts including film, stage, print, and
television and loves to share what she has learned with her
casts on the Sing for America stage.
Film Director • Producer • Writer
Cofounder of Blue Throne Publishers
Cofounder of Allentown Film Crew
Director of Audio and Video Department of Sing For America Theater Productions
Head Storyteller and Founder of StoneCry Entertainment
Moses Garcia is a Storyteller that was raised and nurtured in the Lehigh Valley, Pa. He lives by Faith and Fiction. He believes that God has given each of his Children a Gift to share with the world and a voice to tell their Stories. He believes that one Story can change a life for Good or for Evil: So his passion is creating excellent stories and nurturing Storytellers.
His passion for story started in childhood when he would spend hours watching 80’ television shows, listening to radio dramas, and reading the Bible. In his twenty’s he discovered his passion for writing novels and comics. His first company was Blue Throne Publishers that he Cofounder With two of his friends. By his thirties he started writing screenplays and Cofounded the Allentown Film Crew.
In 2018, he started working as Director of the Audio and Video Department of Sing For America Theater Productions and opened a Feature Film producing company in the Lehigh Valley: StoneCry Entertainment. Currently, he is working on a Documentary, and completing his first feature film: “The Stroller”