Sigma Alpha Iota

PAN PIPES SummER 2014 Sai-natiOnal.ORg 10 By aRt SChWaRtz hudSon (nJ) RepoRteR F ans of musical theater have a reason to rejoice in North Bergen, NJ. e newly launched Ghostlight Productions has announced plans to stage local musicals for residents at venues around town. Ghostlight is actually not entirely new. Formed two years ago by music teacher Melissa Welz, they were previously known as the North Bergen Public Library eater. Under the auspices of the library, they staged one play each summer for the past two years. Now established as an independent entity, they hope to branch out and increase the number of productions. BRinging muSiCal thEatER tO nORth BERgEn A eta Upsilon initiate at New Jersey University and currently affiliate with the Northern New Jersey Alumnae Chapter, Welz has been a music teacher and choir teacher at Horace Mann School for seven years. A native of North Bergen, she said, "Growing up I wanted to be in more shows around where I live." And so she made it happen. Enlisting her students as well as those from other schools, she established an acting troupe to produce musicals. at le just one problem: where to put them on. Her answer came from Library Director Sai Rao. "I went to her two years ago and I said 'Listen, I don't have any money to put on a show, would you help me out?' " said Welz. "Because it costs a lot. And she helped fund us for the past two years. If it wasn't for her I would've never been able to do this." With the library's patronage, they were able to produce Fame two years ago as a free show for North Bergen residents. e show was a hit, and the next year they put on another musical. "Since it was free, we had a huge majority of North Bergen come out to see this is how musicals are," said Welz. "So it opened a lot of eyes. And that's why this year I decided to establish myself because I want to charge for tickets. I want to do things in New York, and I have to start charging." GHOSTLIGHT continued on page 18 saI MeMbers In actIon Theta Upsilon Initiate Founds Ghostlight Productions is article first appeared June 22, 2014 in the Hudson (NJ) Reporter. Used with permission. Hudson Reporter Ghostlight founder Melissa Welz (center) runs the troupe with fellow Theta Upsilon initiate Paula Ribeiro and Heather Zahn.

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