The day-to-day operations and business management of Gas Lamp are directed by a committed board of officers. Dedicated to enriching our community, this leadership team provides the essential structural support and artisitic vision required to transform creative concepts into exceptional theatrical productions.

Kate Wilson - Executive Director

Kate's journey with Gas Lamp Players began with helping out in the lobby and connecting with audiences as a volunteer. Her love for the theater and knack for bringing people together quickly led her to become a Producer for junior mainstage, kid's shows, and summer camps, where she managed productions end-to-end and designed marketing and experiential front-of-house activations focused on increasing ticketing and concessions sales. 

Now as Executive Director, Kate channels that same energy into guiding Gas Lamp's big-picture vision, balancing budgets, and planning exciting seasons of performing arts. Alongside her leadership at the theater, she works full-time as a Customer Success Manager for the 99Pledges fundraising platform, partnering with organizations nationwide to drive financial success.

Kate spent over fifteen years in New York and Boston managing large-scale events, teams, and operations, and "making things happen" for creative culture and marketing agencies. Whether she was designing collaborative workspaces, organizing major events, or helping companies become certified for social responsibility, her focus has always been on supporting people and building strong communities.

When she isn't as RAS with a clipboard, you can find Kate cheering year-round on a girls' lacrosse turf sideline, or spending time with her family in Montclair or Cape Cod. She is absolutely thrilled to champion Gas Lamp's mission, making sure performers of all ages have a welcoming, joyful place to express themselves and shine.

Heather Ballantyne - Creative and Marketing Director

Heather serves as Creative Marketing Director and Junior Theatre Director, bringing more than 30 years of experience in the performing arts and 15 years of directing and arts education. A passionate storyteller and educator, she has directed more than 50 plays and musicals, with favorite productions including School of Rock, Matilda, The Wolves and Spongebob The Musical.
Heather is a performing arts educator at Lacordaire Academy and serves as District Theatre Director for the Glen Ridge Public Schools, where she is dedicated to developing young artists both on and off the stage. She directs musical junior productions and teen plays for Gas Lamp Theatre Company, fostering creativity, confidence, and collaboration in the next generation of performers.
Her training includes studies at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City, the Upright Citizens Brigade, Trinity College London, and The Becket School in Toronto. Heather is the recipient of the Hume Cronyn Scholarship from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and a Foxy Award from Montclair State University for Outstanding Production for Camp Rock and Fame.

Shannin Van Wayenberge - Business Manager

Shannin graduated from Rutgers University with a B.A. in Communications and German. She was a recipient of the Robert Bosch Fellowship and spent the year after college graduation as a fellow at Leipzig University in Germany. She went on to work in corporate communications at the New York office of Investcorp, a global management company. A life long lover of musical theatre, she performed in local community theatre and in her highschool's musicals. Her youngest child began performing in Gas Lamp shows and not long after, Shannin became involved as well. She served on The Board from 2020 until 2025 and has now taken on the role of Business Manager for Gas Lamp Players.

Teressa Kallay - Human Resources Director

Tess is a former Radio City Rockette and a musical theater veteran.  She has done numerous regional theater productions, cruise ships as well as the My Fair Lady National Tour. The creator of Kid's Corner Dance Program, Teressa also teaches ballet and creative movement at the Montclair YMCA and St. James Pre-school. Teressa started teaching musical theater dance classes in high school and continued her studies with a degree in musical theater and with many great instructors in New York.  She has choreographed for the Melochords, The Theater League of Clifton, as well as for Orchesis Dance Company.

Stephen Buntrock - Technical Director

Stephen joined the Gas Lamp Executive Committee as Technical Director in 2026. In the last 30 years, Stephen has been blessed to have a successful career on Broadway and off.  His latest role was in the critically acclaimed revival of A Little Night Music, staring as Fredrick Egerman opposite Bernadette Peters. Earlier in the run he was honored to play the same role opposite the show’s original leading ladies Catherine Zeta Jones and Angela Lansbury.  Other staring Broadway credits include Curly in Oklahoma!, Gaston in Beauty and the Beast, St. John in the original cast of Jane Eyre, Barrett in Titanic, Enjolras in the Tenth Anniversary Cast of Les Miserables, performing the role of the Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera, and creating the role of Teen Angel for the latest revival of Grease!  He has toured extensively across the United States and Canada as Rueben in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat starring Donny Osmond, originating the role of Arnaud du Thil in Cameron Mackintosh's production of Martin Guerre and The Phantom of the Opera. Stephen has enjoyed many concert appearances as well, most recently performing alongside Dame Julie Andrews in London with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Additionally, he has performed with the Louisville Orchestra, the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, Cleveland Orchestra, The Atlanta Symphony, the Dallas Symphony and the Los Angeles Philharmonic at The Hollywood Bowl. For the past 9 years, Stephen has been a proud teacher of the performing arts at North Star Academy in Newark, New Jersey. Becoming a teacher has allowed him the time to branch out and become associated with Gas Lamp Players. He has served Gas Lamp in many capacities, including Teen Show Director, Sound Design, Set Assistant, and backstage crew. He is a very proud Papa to Haley Paige and her not so little sisters and Catherine. He is married to the beautiful actress Erin Dilly, also an associate of Gas Lamp Players. 

Elizabeth Nucci - Technical Partner

Elizabeth has been a part of the Gas Lamp community for over five years. Beginning as a volunteer, she worked closely with Heather Ballantyne and witnessed firsthand the power, creativity, and sense of community that Gas Lamp fosters through the arts. Over the years, Elizabeth has taken on a variety of roles within the organization, including Stage Manager, Producer, and Assistant Technical Director. Elizabeth holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting from Point Park University, where she developed her skills as a performer. She specialized in Dramaturgy and served as a Teaching Assistant, helping to teach and direct Acting majors in the development and performance of new and original works. She is grateful for the opportunities Gas Lamp has provided and is excited to continue growing with the organization while supporting its mission to bring quality theatre to the community.