Declaration at The Hermitage Museum

BEN ARCHER (Ensemble) is thrilled to be making his debut at the Hermitage in Declaration. A cum laude graduate from Northern Valley Old Tappan and of Montclair State University with a B.A. (Bachelor of Arts) in Film and Television, Ben has been making his return to acting since the end of 2025. This is his second consecutive role in community theater following The One Act-Summer Solstice as Sherlock Holmes in Montville, NJ. Ben's past shows prior to this include A Chorus Line (NVOT 2021), The COVID Project (NVOT 2020), and Into the Woods (NVOT 2020) just to name a few. Ben gives kind regards to his fellow castmates, directors, and ever supportive family who has guided him no matter what.

JORDYN GRIER-PARHAM (Ensemble) is a proud Bergen Community College alumni and is currently a senior Music Industry major at Rowan University. Declaration marks her 11th theatrical production, continuing a journey that reflects both her passion for the performing arts and her dedication to storytelling. Her previous stage credits include Doubt: A Parable (her tenth production), And the World Goes ’Round, With Faith/Coming to Jones Road, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Laramie Project, and Man of La Mancha. Beyond the stage, Jordyn is a gifted singer-songwriter who has been captivating audiences throughout the Tri-State area since the age of five. Her love for music and theater continues to inspire her as she embraces every opportunity to grow as an artist while pursuing a career in the music industry. Jordyn is incredibly honored and grateful to be part of this production and extends her heartfelt appreciation to the cast, crew, and the entire First Flight Theatre Company for creating an unforgettable experience. She is especially thankful to her family and friends for their unwavering love, encouragement, and support, and for faithfully cheering her on at every performance throughout the years. Words to live by: “Follow your dreams and know your worth.”

AMANDA NUMMY (Ensemble) is thrilled to be making her debut with First Flight! Recent favorites elsewhere include Crazy for You with Birmingham Village Players, 42nd Street with Grosse Pointe Theatre, the Barber of Seville with the Detroit Opera, and Sleeping Beauty with the American Ballet Theatre. She would like to thank her family and friends for their love and support. "Let's all sign on!"

SHAYLA QUESADA (Ensemble) is 14 years old and is thrilled to be part of this production. She previously performed in the ensemble of her high school’s production of In the Heights, where she discovered an even greater love for the stage. When she’s not singing or acting, Shayla enjoys watching anime, playing hockey, and spending quality time with her family. Although she dreams of one day becoming a doctor, she also hopes to continue pursuing her passion for the performing arts. Shayla would like to thank her family and friends for their endless love, encouragement, and support.

MICAELA RAMIREZ (Ensemble) is an actor from Bradenton, Florida, and is overjoyed to be telling this story at such a historical site. Her love of history and music runs in her family. Past show credits include Heathers: The Musical (Ensemble, Veronica U/S), Familia De Flamingos (Leo), and A Chorus Line (Diana Morales).

ROSARIO RODRIGUES (Ensemble) is an energetic and spirited 8-year-old who lights up every room she enters. Full of personality, confidence, and heart, Rosario loves making people smile and is often the center of attention. She enjoys singing, dancing, playing Roblox, and staying active through basketball and hockey, just like her big sister. Above all, Rosario loves deeply and brings that same joy, kindness, and enthusiasm to the stage. She is excited to be part of this production and hopes you enjoy the show!

LYNN MANUELL (Director, Adaptor) began her career in Park Forest Illinois at The Illinois Theatre Center. She was featured as Mama in High Button Shoes, Hedy La Rue in How to Succeed and Celia in As You Like It as well as many other productions. She trained at Steppenwolf Theatre, The Illinois Theatre Center, The American Academy of Dramatic Arts and in London with Cleo Laine's Wavendon Allmusic Program. Lynn has appeared in theatre and cabaret in Chicago, London and New York and in over a hundred shows. She was in Andrew Lloyd Webber Unplugged, Remember Me from Holy Redeemer High. Don't Cry Out Loud, She was on the board and a director and actress for FACT Theatre where she was featured in If The Pink Pump Fits (Martha) UFF'DA (Pink Hat Lady, A Red Umbrella in the Snow (Miss Lovely) Hansel and Gretel Christmas (Betty) and Treasure among others. She appeared in Ron Pallilo's The Lost Boy, and was featured in My DADDY IS THE BIGGEST STAGE MOTHER IN TEXAS as Aunt Faye. She has worked with Julia Genoveva Productions as Mother in The Twelve Chairs, Elaine in Elaine, Kitty in The Lost Virginity Tour, Lorraine in Cafeticto or Dreams and numerous short play readings. She has worked with Quarentine Players as Ruth in Blythe Spirit, Amanda in The Glass Menagerie, Hannah in Arcadia and others. She has worked with First Flight Productions in several plays by Maxwell Anderson and as The Witch in The Scarecrow and Marme in Little Women at The Hermitage. She runs a theatre arts program at PS 811@149 and is on the board of TOUCHING HUMANITY, an organization that provides theatre classes for special needs students

FRANK FARRELL (Adaptor & Artistic Director of the First Flight Theatre Company) in August 2025 he directed Little Jewel at the Theatre for the New City in NYC. In 2024 he co-produced and directed Walt Kelly’s Songs of the Pogo as part of the New York City Fringe Festival, produced Hamlet on the Run at the Tank Theater and co-produced and directed Tongs and Bones Shakespeare at the Theater for the New City, he directed Little Women, Poe: An Evening of Mystery and the Macabre and Dickens Presents A Christmas Carol for the Hermitage in New Jersey. In 2023 Frank produced and directed Shakespeare’s Ladies at Tea and Shakespeare’s Deaths as part of the Little Shakespeare Festival in NYC. He was an actor in Chicago for 40 years receiving four Joseph Jefferson acting nominations and returned to NYC and New Jersey in 2016. While in Chicago he directed and produced plays for the Free Shakespeare Theatre Company, Temporary Theatre, Shakespeare’s Herd, Steppenwolf Theater, Raven Theatre, Equity Library Theater Chicago, the North Lakeside Players, Citadel Theater, and Theatre-Hikes. Frank has formed eight theater companies including the Free Shakespeare Theatre Company (Chicago’s first year-round Shakespeare theatre company), Theatre-Hikes, the Pigeon Creek Shakespeare Company in Grand Haven, Michigan and in 2019 the First Flight Theatre Company. For FFTC he directed and produced 2022’s production of Maxwell Anderson’s play Valley Forge. Frank has re-published six plays by Anderson from the 1920s: What Price Glory, First Flight, The Buccaneer, Outside Looking In, Gods of the Lightning and Sea-Wife all available at Amazon.com.

BENJAMIN MASTERTON (Composer, Adaptor) has composed and arranged music for dozens of productions in Chicago, Florida, New York, and of course, Idaho. With Frank Farrell Productions, Ben has composed music and designed sound in New Jersey for A Christmas Carol: The Musical, Night of the Living Dead, and musicalized an evening of the writings of Edgar Allan Poe. Frank and Ben also produced the Songs of the Pogo franchise, including the Songs of the Pogo Podcast, the film, and the theatrical stage show in New York City. Ben is currently composing music for the short film “Callahan’s Hour”. Ben has written over a hundred and ninety songs and currently resides in Gainesville, Florida.

LISA PLASSE (Musical Director) is the owner and director of From The Top Music Studio in Midland Park, NJ which offers instrumental and vocal lessons and teaches flute and voice lessons as well. Lisa received her Bachelor of Music Education degree from William Paterson University, with a concentration in flute and voice. She also holds a Masters degree in Education Administration and Supervision from Montclair State University. She has over 30 years of teaching experience working with students of all ages and levels including special education. Her credits include applied vocal lessons instructor at Columbia University, performances with Onstage Inc., several local community bands and church organizations, numerous local pit orchestras and the Ridgewood Concert Band. Lisa served as both Vice-President and President of the Board of Trustees of the Ridgewood Concert Band and during her presidency the band was awarded The Sudler Silver Scroll Award. She has produced and directed many musicals, theater workshops, summer workshops and concert performances. Lisa has served as President of The Ridgewood Friends of Music and continues to serve on the board. She is a member of the Da Capo Trio and continues to perform in the tri-state area. She is also a member of the International Association of Women and has appeared as a speaker in their Fireside Chat Series. Most recently, Lisa was inducted as an Honorary Member of the Eta Delta Chapter, Tau Beta Sigma National Honorary Band Sorority, Incorporated through Howard University. She is currently President of the Ridgewood Guild and is the music director for the Ridgewood High School Jamboree! She has always had a passion for writing and has written many articles for local newspapers and magazines including Downtown Ridgewood. Now as an empty nester, she has begun her second act as a published author. She is thrilled to have published a parenting book and her first children’s book, Marisela Discovers Music the first of a 5- part series and is currently working on book 2 due to be released this fall. Lisa resides in Ridgewood, NJ with her husband Michel and they have four adult children Nick, Ashley, Amanda and Brian.

LISA DAHLBORG (Sound Operator) was in First Flight's first performance in May 2018, a staged reading of Maxwell Anderson's play Valley Forge at the Hermitage. She runs sound for Players Guild of Leonia and the Bergen County Players. She is a talented playwright. She and Frank Farrell were in plays with the New Players Company at Ridgewood High School back in the late 1970s. Please welcome Lisa Dahlborg!

JOYLEEN QUESADA (Costume Dresser) proudly works for the Newark Public Schools and is the devoted mother of Shayla and Rosario. A hardworking, determined, and resilient woman, Joyleen has faced life’s challenges with unwavering strength and grace. Her greatest accomplishment, however, is being a loving mother to the two incredible girls she proudly calls her greatest creations. She enjoys singing, dancing, and making memories with her daughters, who continue to inspire her every day. Joyleen is honored to support this production behind the scenes and hopes you enjoy the show.