OUR TEAM
ALEXANDRIA INGRAM
Founder, Director, Choreographer
Alexandria started the Shine the Light Project to literally shine a light on talented individuals who do not otherwise get a chance to show their skills in a professional and accessible environment. She holds a BFA in Dance and a BS in Psychological Science, as well as a minor in Autism Spectrum Disorders and extensive professional studies in Classical Voice Performance from Ball State University and has choreographed and directed professionally. She also holds a master’s degree in Dance/Movement Therapy and Couples & Family Therapy from Antioch University New England and holds licenses in both fields (R-DMT & LMFT-A). She has a passion for theatre, as well as helping others, and looks forward to inspiring others to love theatre and find their light!
MARIA KOONTZ
Music Director
Maria has been teaching music for over 30 years. She currently teaches piano and accompanies students for voice lessons and vocal competitions, as well as teaching theatrical music for productions. She received her bachelor’s in Piano Performance from the College of St. Rose in New York and her master’s in Music Education from Dowling College in New York. She loves helping children reach their fullest potential and has been working alongside her daughter, Alexandria, for several years. Together, they have directed many productions and helped children of all ages and abilities.
STUDENT BOARD OF DIRECTORS
EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS
Kaylee Allen
Kaylee is a senior in high school and has been participating in theater since 3rd grade. Ever since watching her first show, she has always been fascinated by the stage. As soon as they could, they took up any performance opportunity available, whether it be musical, vocal, or theatrical. Theatre has given them so many opportunities to grow, so many new friends, and bountiful life lessons that she will carry for the rest of her life. She hopes that Shine the Light Project will provide students with a safe space to be themselves and do what they love.
Emily Newburn
Emily is a senior in high school. Emily has been involved in theater since she was 5 years old. She has always loved performing in front of an audience. She also hopes to one day be a director, to spread the joy of theater and to show the community how theater can change lives. She is very excited about the Shine The Light Project, and she can’t wait to continue doing shows with the people she loves.
ASSISTANT EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS
Dylan Grieger
Dylan is a senior in high school and has been a part of theatre programs since 6th grade. He has always said “Drama is a family that cares for everyone.” Ever since he saw people preforming on a stage, he wanted to be a part of it. Dylan is excited for the opportunity to be part of the Shine the Light Project because it crates a safe environment for him and his peers. He is very ecstatic for this opportunity, especially since he gets to do it with the people he loves.
Carly Wilt
Carly is a junior in high school and has been participating in theater since the fifth grade. Theatre has played a huge part in her life, granting many opportunities and life lessons. She hopes to continue theater as an adult as well as work at a museum. This project was made possible because of the strength of the community and she wishes it flourishes in the years to come.
SECRETARIES
Allison Dillman
Allison is a sophomore and this will be her fourth year participating in theatre. To Allison, theatre is a community; a community of people expressing themselves to put on something beautiful. In theatre, anything is possible. It is an amazing way to make friends, expand creativity, and build confidence. She is thrilled to be a part of the Shine The Light Project. She is most excited to help create a safe and empowering space in which she and her peers can pursue theatre.
Tala Herald
Tala Herald is an upcoming senior this year. Tala had participated in theater for 3 years. Theatre is a safe place for kids to be silly, funny, and to express themselves in an artistic way that puts smiles on faces. Tala would like to go to college and major in both psychology and theater. Tala wants to be part of Shine the Light because theater has given her a voice and confidence. She wants to continue to help others grow through theater.
FUNDRAISING CHAIR/ TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
Colton Barnes
Colton is a junior in high school. He has been involved in theatre for three years, this being his fourth. Colton started off being a lighting technician and board operator, eventually moving into acting. Theatre and its participants inspired Colton to be more involved in theatre and acting, leading to his involvement in the Shine the Light Project. Theatre has shaped Colton into the person he is, giving him opportunities to grow and make the friends he has. He is very happy to be apart of the Shine the Light Project and hopes to help shape it into a comfortable environment that everyone will love.
CREATIVE CHAIR
Lilly Clark
Lilly is a sophomore in high school and has been doing theatre since she was in 2nd grade. Lilly fell in love with the art of theatre when she watched her very first show. Lilly told her parents that she wanted to be on the stage, and ever since then, she has been involved in some way. Theatre provides a safe for many kids, including Lilly, and she always looks forward to being on stage and performing.
PARTNERS
Shine the Light Project, LLC is thrilled to be partnering with the fabulous Uptown Social as our performance venue! The amazing people in this space are helping us create magic for our students. In their gorgeous space, there is a double-decker stage, full lighting and sound support, and many other amenities for performers and audience-goers. We could not be more excited to be partnering with them as our new ‘home base’ for performances! Rehearsals will occur in a separate location, and we will move into our space closer to the date of our production. Please give them a like or follow on social media at Uptown Social or @uptownsocialmc.
We are also fortunate to have the community support of photographer David Centifanto and costumer Jean Rebeka. Without their talents, we would be lost!
If you are interested in partnering with us, please use the form under the ‘contact’ tab to reach out to our founder and director, Alexandria. We want to make sure Shine the Light Project, LLC is a place for all members of our community, and we can’t do that without your help!
