Drama Club Staff
Tim Lynch
Director of Theatre Arts
Tim Lynch is the 2022 winner at the Montclair Theatre Night Awards for Excellence in Theatre Education. Mr. Lynch served as the Director of Theatre Arts and Theatre Teacher at Watchung Hills Regional High School, where his students won top acting awards at the Montclair Theatre Night Awards. Mr. Lynch worked in the theatre department at Summit High School Performing Arts Department for six years. A proud member of the National Speech and Debate Association, Mr. Lynch served as a forensics coach for the Summit High Speech Team for six years, coaching students to the final round stages at national tournaments around the country. Performance awards include a Paper Mill Rising Star Award, Montclair State Theatre Night Award, two-time, NJ District Forensics Champion, and the Award of Excellence in Drama.
Jason Stewart
Director of Stage Crew
Jason M. Stewart is an artist and art educator at Ridge High School where this is his 11th year leading the scenic design and stage crew. Stewart received his MFA from the Maryland Institute College of Art and has exhibited his artwork throughout the east coast, including the Newark Museum and the Monmouth Museum. Stewart and his crew have received many awards and nominations for their outstanding work with scenic design, including the 2017 Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Award. Stewart has worked with local and touring theatre companies in the roles of director, actor, designer, stage manager, painter, and builder. Stewart is extremely proud of the hard work the cast and crew have put into each production of their productions. He looks forward to working with this year's incoming members of Stage Crew!
Colin Berry
Director of Tech Crew
Colin Berry has worked at the Performing Arts Center at Watchung Hills Regional High School for the past four years. He is a 2018 graduate of Rowan University where he served as Director of Technical Services putting on weekly events and shows. Mr. Berry worked on sold-out comedy events for Marlon Wayans and SNL cast member Michael Che. He is a lighting technician for the New Jersey Devils hockey and Seton Hall University men’s basketball games at the Prudential Center. He has worked corporate, theatrical, and arena-size events for the past seven years as a freelance audio-visual engineer. He is very excited to extend the joy of theatre to all students who want to learn!
Drama Club Officers
Josie Dennis
Drama Club President
Josie is absolutely honored to be this year's Ridge Drama Club President. She has been a part of the drama club since her freshman year and has been a part of cast, crew, and production team. Some of her favorite roles include: Sally Applewhite (Christmas Carol), Hannah (Puffs), Mrs. Wormwood (Matilda). She has been a student director for the past three showtimes and a member of costume crew her freshman year fall play. She is beyond proud of everything this club accomplishes and cannot wait for another amazing year.
Jordan Perla
Drama Club Co-Vice President
Jordan is honored and beyond excited to be one of Ridge Drama Club’s Co-Vice Presidents this year! She has adored everything about RDC and the family within it since her first show as a freshman. Jordan has loved being involved in everything from Costume Crew to Production Team to performing on stage, and hopes to inspire others to experience everything the Drama Club has to offer. She cannot wait to form new friendships and strengthen old ones as the club creates magic this year, in the Ridge community and beyond!
Samantha Rascio
Drama Club Co-Vice President
Samantha is a senior who has been heavily involved in the club since freshman year and is beyond thrilled to be the Vice President of Ridge Drama Club. Some of her favorite RHSDC roles include CATS (Jennyanydots), MATILDA (Hortensia), GUYS & DOLLS (Vernon), SHOWTIME(2020-2022). She has worked in professional theater since the age of 8 and loves to encourage others to follow their passion of theater. Samantha remembers the impact that the board members had on her as a freshman and she is ecstatic to help the new members make the most of this amazing club!
Alex Prejean
Drama Club Treasurer
Alex is honored and excited to be an officer this year. His whole high school career can really be defined by the Drama Club, which makes him extra happy to be able to lead the Club in this way. Alex has been in 4 Ridge shows in the past “A Christmas Carol”, “Cats”, “Puffs”, and “Matilda”. He can’t wait to be a part of the shows in the 22-23 school year.
McLain Ward
Drama Club Secretary
McLain is ecstatic to be the Ridge Drama Club secretary this year. McLain has been a part of RDC since freshman year and some of her favorite roles include, Spirit of Things Yet to Come (Christmas Carol), Exotica (Cats), First Headmaster (Puffs), and Miss Trunchbull (Matilda). She was an ASM for Showtime 2022 and the stage manager for Almost Maine in this year’s advanced theatre showcase. She is excited to build connections through a love for theatre and to tell meaningful stories with both new and returning drama club members! She is always here to talk no matter what!
Libby Schmitt
ITS President
Libby is delighted to be your ITS President this year! She looks forward to bringing theatre to the community through Drama Club’s Honor Society, Troupe 7742. Libby is a proud member of Ridge Drama Club; some of her favorite roles include Schwartzy in “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” Demeter in “Cats,” and Matilda in “Matilda,” where she won a Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star award for best leading actress. Libby intends to pursue Musical Theatre in college. She’s excited for this year and the opportunity to share stories with the community.