Gas Lamp Players is a community theater group in the truest sense of the word.  We involve all members of the community in all of the aspects of theater, from on stage to behind the scenes.  

The mention of Gas Lamp Players provokes effusive praise.  Meg Kennedy, whose son Will was one of the recipients of the Gas Lamp Players High School Senior awards in 2008, and whose son James played “Charlie” in the 2009 Gas Lamp Junior production of Charlie Brown, explains: “As a parent who has been involved in many athletic, theatrical and community events, Gas Lamp shines above all.  The children gain courage and confidence. They learn about responsibility and teamwork.  The competition is for each other and not against each other.  The whole program is a beautiful thing and I cannot say enough positive things about it.  I am just grateful that Gas Lamp exists and has graced my community!”

Gas Lamp Players is run by a dedicated team of volunteers (The Executive Board), who meet each week and are in charge of the day-to-day business of Gas Lamp Players.  They are Amy Baldassare, Sarajane Boyle, Mollie Gash, Kristy Graves (Artistic Director), Lyn Hanson (Business Manager) and Teressa Kallay.  

Gas Lamp Inc. is governed by a Board of Directors that includes the Executive Board plus Carl Bergmanson, James Broderick, Jeffrey Fiorello, Terri Furr, Joe Iovino, Mary Kortrey, David Shaw and Jessica Sporn.  The full Board meets four times a year and is responsible for the overall direction of Gas Lamp Inc.

Gas Lamp Inc.'s Board of Directors:

Carl Bergmanson is a former Glen Ridge Mayor (2004-2007) and Councilman (1991-1999). Carl has a B.A. in Theatre Arts and Journalism from California State University, Los Angeles and he is President of Williams Computer Distributing in Glen Ridge. Carl lives on Lorraine Street with  his wife Ruby Siegel and their cat, Cubes. Their son Andrew (a veteran of several Gas Lamp Productions) is a senior at Brown University. Carl returned to the Board of Directors in 2008 after having previously served as a Member of the Board from 2000 to 2003. He has appeared in numerous Gas Lamp Productions, and has, at various times, served as Gas Lamp’s Photographer, Program Editor, Ticket Booth Manager, Concession Manager, Assistant Videographer and Set Construction Lackey.

James Broderick has lived in Glen Ridge since 1996.  A professor of English at New Jersey City University, he the author of four non-fiction books on literature and pop culture.  He is married to Miriam Ascarelli, and the father of daughters (and Gas Lamp actresses) Olivia and Maddy.  He has been on the Gas Lamp Board of Directors since 2008.

Joe Iovino [to come]

Mary Kortrey is a former lawyer who has lived in Glen Ridge since 1998.  She has four children, to of whom have been performed with Gas Lamp Players for many years.  She attended Catholic University and Seton Hall University School of Law.

David Shaw [to come]

Jessica Sporn was once a professional actress, then a lawyer, and currently works as an illustrator.  She has been involved with Gas Lamp since 1991, playing various roles and wearing many hats. Gas Lamp credits include The Music Man, Once Upon A Mattress, Bye Bye Birdie, Big, Peter Pan, Oliver, Joseph, Fiddler, The King and I, and Beauty and the Beast. Jessica believes that participation in the arts can be transforming and enriching experience for everyone, and is grateful to all the many people who have made Gas Lamp possible.

Gas Lamp Inc.'s Executive Board

Amy Baldassare started dancing at age four, and over the years studied ballet, point, tap, jazz, modern, ballroom and various ethnic dances, including belly dance, hula/Tahitian
dance, and several folk dance styles. Although she grew up in Iowa, her teacher brought her to New York to study with David Howard, Melissa Hayden and Charles Kelly. Amy began
teaching at age 15, with students from pre-school to high school. She began teaching again in 2001 in the
Discovery program at Linden Avenue School. She has been honored to work with Gas Lamp Players since 2004.

Sarajane Boyle graduated from
Fairfield University with a B.A. in English and theatre. She taught high school for nine years and also earned her Masters Degree in Education from Marygrove University. Sarajane teaches aerobics at the Montclair YMCA and is thrilled to be teaching drama again with the amazing staff at Gas Lamp. She lives in Glen Ridge with her husband and three young children.

Kristy Graves began performing professionally when she was
10 years old, touring in Annie as Annie. She then settled in NY and appeared on Broadway, Off- Broadway, in feature films and in many television commercials and series. She has worked with legends like Bernadette Peters, Tony Randall, and director/choreographer Susan Stroman, Woody Allen, MiaFarrow, Gwen Verdon, Blythe Danner, Matt Dillon, William
Hurt and Omar Epps. Kristy has been the musical director and director for many Gas Lamp workshops.

Lyn Vaux Hanson is a professional actress on an indefinite hiatus.  She has performed in numerous Regional and National Tour productions.
Lyn is a graduate of Carnegie-Mellon University, School of Drama.  For the past few years she has taught Music Together in Montclair and is
delighted to be sharing her experience with Gas Lamp Players.

Teressa Kallay is a former Radio City Music Hall Rockette and veteran of many national tours and regional theater productions.  The creator of Kid's Corner Dance Program, Teressa also teaches jazz, tap and creative movement at the Montclair YMCA.  She has choreographed for the Melochords and The Theater League of Clifton, as well as for the Orchesis Dance Company.