Songs for a New World at Carlisle Theatre

Joe Kemprowski

Joe is thrilled to be making his Players on High debut in Songs for a New World. Joe graduated from West Virginia University with a BFA in Acting in 2021. Since then, he could have been seen as a reoccurring face on the Allenberry Playhouse stage in Boiling Springs. (Most notably: Joey in Sister Act, Lord Pinkleton in R&H’s Cinderella, Don Kirshner in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, and Sonny in Grease.) Most recently Joe made his directorial debut directing Disney’s Newsies at the Allenberry Playhouse. Special thanks to anyone supporting local artists in the community by coming to see all the exceptional theatre being produced locally. Enjoy the show!

Bernard Labuskes

Bernie is delighted to return to the Carlisle Theater stage for the first time since he played Senator Fipp in the Players on High production of Urinetown. Since then, he has gotten into mischief with the Players' mystery dinner troupe, and appeared as Count Ipolotov in Keystone Theatrics' production of Anastasia, and Maurice in its production of Beauty and the Beast. Bernie is a Board Member, tenor, and featured soloist with The Harrisburg Singers, one of the area's premier choral ensembles. He is, as always, grateful to his family and friends for all their love and support.

Elyse Rinehart

Elyse Rinehart lives in Carlisle with her husband and five kids, who cheer her on in every one of her musical adventures. A longtime music teacher now stepping into “a new world” of kindergarten teaching, Elyse still finds her heart returning to the stage. She has directed many youth shows and performed in School of Rock and A Steampunk Christmas Carol at the Carlisle Theatre.

Tara Mead

Tara is beyond pleased to be back at the Carlisle Theatre in this amazing production! Tara is no stranger to the Carlisle Theatre, performing in To Kill a Mockingbird,The Crucible, Sleepy Hollow, and Clue, as well as starring in the theatre's Murder Mystery Show, Dying 2 Kill You. She has also performed at the Little Theatre of Mechanicsburg as Mrs. Lincoln in Mrs. Lincoln and as Mrs. Balsar in Murder by Membership Only. Tara has also acted at the Hershey Area Playhouse in It's a Wonderful Life and The Homecoming. She was active in several productions in high school and also sang in various music ensembles during her time at the University of Connecticut and still sings in her church's choir. She would like to thank her family and for their unwavering support and the entire Songs for a New World cast and crew!

Kelsey Sheffe

Kelsey Sheffe is thrilled to be back on stage with Players On High at the Carlisle Theatre as Woman in Songs For A New World. Some of her favorite credits include Herta in A Divine Kerfuffle, Faith in Astronots, Sister Mary Patrick in Sister Act, and Ethel McCormack in Footloose. When she is not onstage, she enjoys helping in backstage roles supporting younger theatre artists. Kelsey would like to thank her sisters: Sha Sha and Shem Shem, as well as the rest of her supportive community of friends and family. "Listen to the song that I sing, listen to the words in my heart, listen to the hope I can bring and we'll start to grow and shine. We'll be fine."

Jess Teter

Jess Teter is thrilled to be a part of Songs for a New World. Jess holds a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where she concentrated in vocal music and has a minor in piano and bassoon. As her day job, Jess just started her fourth year as a general music, choir, and theatre teacher at Boiling Springs High School in the South Middleton School District. There, she directs the choir and concert choir, teaches general music classes, and is the director of the theatre program. Jess is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Music Education at Lebanon Valley College. She is also the resident music director of the Carlisle Theatre and is grateful to work with such an amazing team. Previously, you may have seen Jess onstage at the Carlisle Theatre as Martha in The Secret Garden, Josephine “Old Ma” Strong in Urinetown, and Ms. Sheinkopf/Jessssss in School of Rock. In her free time, Jess enjoys teaching at the Carlisle Theatre summer camps, playing DnD, playing bassoon and electric bass, composing music, and reading. She would like to thank everyone for being "simply" amazing.

Manny Wilson

Manny is thrilled to make his debut at Carlisle Theater in Songs for a New World! This is his first show here, having previously performed with Keystone Theatrics in shows like Sister Act (as Eddie)and Little Shop of Horrors (as Seymour), and Mitch Mahoney in Spelling Bee with Theater Harrisburg. Manny holds a Geography degree from West Chester University and works as a Transportation Planning Specialist for PennDOT. Offstage, he loves karaoke, hiking, and D&D. A big thanks to his amazing friends and family for their endless support and encouragement!

Anna Palese

Anna is so excited to be back with Players on High and making her directorial debut with Songs for a New World! She has previously been seen on stage at the Carlisle Theater in School of Rock (Patty Di Marco) and Anne of Green Gables (Prissy Andrews/Choreographer). Her other recent credits include Hello, Dolly! At Susquehanna Stage (Ensemble) along with several choreography credits at Mechanicsburg Recreation Theatre Camp and Mechanicsburg Middle School. Anna would like to thank Ashley for providing her with this incredible opportunity to direct this beautiful show, Maddie and Greg for all their help, and all her family and friends for their constant support!

Greg Ewing

Greg Ewing (Stage Manager) is excited to return to the Carlisle Theatre for his second show. He joined the Carlisle Theatre family as Stage Manager for the School of Rock after spending twenty years in the entertainment industry in Las Vegas. During his time there, he worked as a stage manager, sound engineer, Entertainment Technical Supervisor, production manager, and Associate Producer. He had the opportunity to collaborate with legendary bands such as Air Supply, Loverboy, and the Charlie Daniels Band, as well as entertainment icons including Marty Allen & Karon Kate, George Carlin, Ann-Margret, and Mitzi Gaynor. He was also the ASM and later Sound Engineer for Forever Plaid for 3 years and the associate producer for National Finals Tonight for 11 years. Originally from Suffern, NY, Greg's passion for theatre began in middle school. He studied at The Center for the Media Arts (RCA School of Television Production) in Manhattan and later graduated from the Ohio Recording Workshop. Greg is happy to be celebrating his first anniversary in Carlisle with his wife, Kate, and their gentle giant dog Ziva. He especially enjoys the rich history, architecture, and natural beauty of Carlisle.

Madelyn Felix

Madelyn Felix (Music Director/Piano) is the director of choirs and theatre at Yellow Breeches Middle School, where she also teaches general music for grades 6–8 and high school piano. Maddie received her bachelor of science in Music Education with a concentration in piano from Messiah University in 2023. She enjoys playing for concerts, pit orchestras, or soloists at local schools, churches, and theatres. Maddie’s favorite recent theatre credits include: Cinderella and The Addams Family (BSHS, Asst. Dir., Keyboard 1), Anastasia (Keystone Theatrics, Keyboard 2), Finding Nemo Jr. (YBMS, Dir.), and School of Rock (Carlisle Theatre, Mus. Dir., Keyboard). Outside of teaching, Madelyn is a staff singer and instrumentalist at Pine Street Presbyterian Church in Harrisburg, PA. She's excited to play this amazing score (thanks JRB) and is perpetually grateful for her family and friends. Enjoy the show!