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GingerSnap Performing Arts
A Children's Theatre Company
"Personal Growth Through Creative Expression"
The GingerSnap Team
Sadie Rose, Founder
Sadie Rose Glaspey is the owner and founder of GingerSnap Performing Arts. Along with running this children's theater company based in Chicago, she is also a Chicago performer herself. A violinist, singer, dancer, and actor. Originally from Milwaukee, WI, Sadie Rose was lucky enough to have access to an amazing Public Arts Education throughout her formative years. From being in shows at First Stage Children's Theater to performing with Milwaukee High School of the Arts award winning chamber orchestra, the arts has made her who she is today. After high school and a semester in Spain, she moved to Chicago to study Musical Theater at Chicago College of the Performing Arts where she received her BFA in May of 2012. Ever since then, she has been auditioning, performing, and creating whenever she can. Chicago offers a unique scene with many different ways to utilize creative skills and talents and she likes to do as much of it as possible.
It is important to Sadie Rose to make sure Arts Education is available to as many kids as possible. She was lucky enough to have access to great programming and wants to try and give that experience to another generation of young people.
Elisa Carlson has been working with Sadie Rose on children's shows since 2016. She is GingerSnap's choreographer and dance instructor and SO much more! Elisa has been a professional multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, dancer, and choreographer in Chicago since 2000. She holds a bachelor’s degree in piano performance and theater from Indiana University – Jacobs School of Music. She currently performs as a solo artist, as a dueling piano player, and with bands in venues all over Chicago and around the world. Chicago theater credits include: Once (Paramount), Peter and the Starcatcher (Metropolis), Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story (American Blues Theater), One Man, Two Guvnors (Court Theatre), Pop Waits (Neo-Futurists), and American Idiot (Hypocrites). Choreography credits for Chicago young performers include Peter Pan Jr., Seussical Jr., Willy Wonka Jr., and Annie Jr. www.elisacarlsonmusic.com
Elisa, Choreographer
Shanae Sterba joined the GingerSnap Team for Musical Theatre Camp 2022 to direct James and the Giant Peach Jr and we hope she never leaves!
Shanae is a proud graduate of Northern Illinois University, earning a BFA in Theater Studies with an Emphasis in Dance Performance. She has been dancing since the age of two, performing and competing across the country, as well as in her hometown of Rock Falls, Illinois. Shanae has directed and choreographed for a variety of Children's theater companies including Elmhurst Children's Theater, (Footloose, High School Musical) Woodlawn Arts Academy, (Mulan Jr., High School Musical Jr., Music Man Jr.), and has been the resident choreographer for Centennial Auditorium in Sterling, Illinois since 2007. Shanae is ecstatic to be joining the talented ranks of the Gingersnap Production team for the first time with James and the Giant Peach Jr.
Shanae, Director
Amy Chmielewski and Sadie Rose have worked on children's shows together since 2016. Amy is an amazing, creative, and thrifty costume designer. Creating often intricately beaded costumes for a large group of kids in a short amount of time on a budget is quite the magical power!
Amy calls Chicago home. Her heart also belongs in Philly (Go Eagles!) and the Pacific Northwest. She has almost 20 years of professional theater experience including Philly and Chicago. Amy has worked in many genres including Opera, Theater, Dance, Musical Theater, Children's Theater, Theater for Young Audiences, and Commedia dell' Arte. That last one is her favorite. Her MFA in Costume Design is from U of I Urbana - Champaign. Others say Amy is a wizard who wears many hats. Only one part of the that statement is true. I'll let you decide which part.
Amy, Costumer
Ehron Bourné has spent numerous years working in arts education and childcare. GingerSnap has been lucky to have her caring and calm energy with us backstage and in the classroom, during rehearsals, workshops, and shows. She has worked with children of all ages, backgrounds, cultures etc. and has a heart for seeing young people thrive and develop into all that they can be. Ehron is preparing to attend NorthWestern University with a focus in Child Psychology and Neuroscience. As a singer/song writer, along with her seven brothers and sisters and her mother, reaching children and adults through art, music, and song has always been a huge part of Ehron's life and she hopes it will continue to be for many more years to come.
Ehron, Childcare and Education
Lesley Fisher Chapman has directed multiple shows for GingerSnap Performing Arts and we are so thankful to have her silly energy and amazing focus guiding us through a rehearsal process. Lesley is a freelance theatre teacher and director in Chicago. She works with both children and adults creating new works and re-imagining favorite classics. When she is not doing theatre, Lesley likes yelling about sports, playing PS4, and balancing on her arms. Her favorite collaborator is her actor/playwright husband, CJ. Together they make awesome theatre and watch their cats -Tallulah Bankhead and Benedict Cumberscratch- act silly.
Lesley, Director
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