Stage Stars focus is to create well-rounded professional performers who use their talents to benefit others. As well as teaching students all areas of the performing arts they teach discipline, respect, professionalism, and benevolence. They pride themselves on their uniqueness from other performing arts programs as their students are prepared for a career in the arts at an early. Students will grow not only as artists but as individuals through the life changing, memorable experiences Stage Stars provides. Want to know what it's really like to work in the entertainment industry? Learn it from those who know! The staff is filled with talented professionals who will impart their first-hand experience of what it's like to turn their dreams to reality.

Stage Stars is a unique performing arts company located in Highland Park, New Jersey. They offer classes that include tap, ballet, hip-hop, jazz, contemporary, pointe, musical theater, acting, creative writing, song- writing, yoga, voice, improvisation, audition preparation, break dancing, music composition and theory, keyboard and guitar. Some of their recent performances include, Great Adventure in Jackson, NJ, Hershey Park, PA, Wildwood, NJ, Walt Disney World, FL, Both the Two Rivers Theater and The Count Basie Theater in Red Bank, NJ, George Street Playhouse in New Brunswick, NJ. Baltimore Maryland’s Summer Block Party, and at the NYC Dance Parade, NYC Halloween Parade, and various off Broadway venues such as The Producers Club and The Helen Mills Theater.

Stage Stars, under the direction of Jamie Marie Hannigan, has helped many charities and organizations even before charity work became the “new trend”. They walked in the Walk for Hope to cure Breast Cancer, The MIPH Walk to end homelessness, as well as performing at their events, and volunteered to teach dance classes for a girls group at St. Peters Hospital. They also helped charities such as St. Peters Children's Hospital, St. Matthew Food Closet, The Cancer Center at Robert Wood University Hospital, The Joyful Heart Foundation, The MIPH Foundation, The Make A Wish Foundation, Toys For Tots, Elijah’s Promise, The Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation, The Susan G. Koman Breast Cancer Foundation, The Jessica Ann Fox Foundation, and The American Red Cross to aid the relief efforts in Haiti.

Stage Stars adult theater company performed an acclaimed Off-Broadway production of The Rocky Horror Show at The Producers Club Theater on West 44th Street which benefited The Youth Y.E.S. Arts Program of New York City. The Rocky Horror cast continues to perform in NYC, NJ, Baltimore, and other cities. Check out www.StageStarsRockyHorrorShow.com for photos, videos, behind the scenes exclusives, performances dates and more!

Stage Stars event “Planet Art” art gallery and performances donated all proceeds to The Michael Jackson Company LLC and presented Michael’s choreographer and dear friend Travis Payne with the donation. After a workshop and rehearsal with Travis and Michael’s dancers, Stage Stars had the privilege of performing Michael’s original choreography “The Drill” with Travis and the dancers, in front of thousands at the “This Is It” DVD release event in New York City, and had the honor of meeting and receiving remarkable compliments from both Travis Payne and Kenny Ortega.

Most recently some specially selected Stage Stars were seen performing and taping live in Times Square for a Nickelodeon commercial for ‘Dora The Explorer’s 10th Birthday Celebration.’ Visit the Stage Stars channel on www.youtube.com/user/StageStars for videos of performances. Check out a feature about Stage Stars on their friend Mariska Hargitay’s (Law & Order SVU) Joyful Heart Foundation web site http:// www.joyfulheartfoundation.org/peoplegiving_stagestars.htm Stage Stars has also received accolade from Spice Girl Melanie C, for performing her song “If That Were Me” at charity events to help the homeless. At Stage Stars Grand Re-Opening Celebration, company members had the honor of performing with Billboard chart topping recording artist Debby Holiday.

 

 

Jamie Marie Hannigan (Owner, Director, All Classes) At a young age, Jamie had the opportunity to train in workshops with choreographers such as Darrin Henson, Wade Robson, Mia Michales, and Brain Friedman, before they became household names. She continued her training in dance and theater and when Jamie turned eighteen, she began her own performing arts company, Cabaret Kids. She wrote, choreographed, and directed original musical productions for hundreds of young performers, while simultaneously attending a local college as a dance major. On stage, Jamie gained early success as a dancer for Alicia Keys, Ja Rule, and Michelle Branch live at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City, as well as appearing on MTV with The Backstreet Boys, and sharing a stage with Mandy Moore in a concert which aired on the WB network. Jamie's theater credits include playing Sally Brown in You're A Good Man Charlie Brown at The Producers Club in NYC, Linda in Willy Russell's Blood Brothers at The George Street Playhouse in NJ and singing live with Debbie Harry at The Count Basie Theater in Red Bank, New Jersey. Jamie appeared in the hit movie Step Up as well as well-known Bollywood films Janeman and Ta Ra Rum Pum. Jamie recently had the opportunity to work with Michael Jackson's choreographer Travis Payne and superstar director Kenny Ortega at the official This Is It release in New York City and performed The Drill along side Michael Jackson’s dancers. Jamie just returned from London and Amsterdam where she trained at the world- renown Pineapple Studios and Amsterdam Dance Center. Jamie most recently directed, choreographed, and played Columbia in an acclaimed Off- Broadway production of The Rocky Horror Show. Her unique energy and presence, combined with her drive for the arts has enabled her to achieve great recognition in many areas of the arts at such a young age. Moreover, her passionate dedication to making the world a better place, and helping those in need is never forgotten in her art projects, as she always donates proceeds from her shows to various charities and organizations. In addition to directing and teaching at Stage Stars, Jamie is currently busy with her brother Stevie recording their album entitled Cause We Can, and choreographing for and dancing with Billboard chart toping artist Debby Holiday. www.JamieMarieHannigan.com

Matt Unger (Acting/Theater/Audition Prep) has been a professional actor for over twelve years appearing in such television shows as The Sopranos, Law and Order, and Guiding Light. He has also appeared in several national television commercials including ads for Got Milk, Verizon, Subway, NY Lottery, and most recently Ruby Tuesdays. Matt graduated from Rutgers University: Mason Gross School of the Arts where he trained in all aspects of the theater and was able to study at the world famous Shakespeare’s Globe Theater in London for one year. In addition to his experience acting in London, he just returned from a year abroad teaching English through drama to children throughout Hong Kong with a company called Dramatic English. He looks forward to once again being a part of the Stage Stars team.

Suzanne Egan (Voice, Musical Theater) Suzanne graduated Hofstra University with a degree in Speech Language Hearing Science and Voice. She has studied privately in New York and New Jersey. She is now back in school, getting her masters in Special Education and her teaching certification while working at Piscataway Regional Day School as a Speech Therapist. In her ‘spare time’ Suzie is extremely dedicated to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team In Training program where she participates in half marathons, full marathons, and many fundraising events. Suzanne just returned from Walt Disney World where she participated in the Walt Disney World Marathon. Her drive and dedication to help others has enabled her to raise over $250,000 for The Leukemia Lymphoma Society. Suzanne’s stage credits include; Anything Goes, Crazy for You, Singin’ In The Rain, Bye Bye Birdie, Annie, and The Sound of Music.

Joey Taddeo (Hip-Hop, Break-Dancing) is a football player turned Hip Hop Choreographer and dancer. Using his athletic skills as a catapult, Joey is quickly moving the Hip Hop community. He has taught at Broadway Dance Center, Peridance and New Dance Group in New York City. His most recent projects include being a principle dancer feature film Louis, choreographed by three time Tony Award winner Hinton Battle. Joey has taught all over the country for such companies as DEA, Dance Masters and Starbound. Other projects include choreographing for the New York City Dance Alliance Summer Intensive, assistant choreographer for the off Broadway revival of, Starmites, in New York City, and choreographing for the University of Utah Crimson Line and the University of Alabama Rip Tide. Joey has also been picked up by MSA Talent Agency and has recently been featured in a Verizon commercial. Joey’s style has a very modern feel which gives his choreography a new, smooth, look to go along with an old school street style. Most of all his choreography exudes a fun, free flowing, freestyle type of energy which express his motto, “live while you dance!”

Serena Soffer (Ballet Combo, Pointe, Yoga) Miss Soffer has extensive training in classical ballet, training with Dr. Alfredo Corvino from the prestigious Juilliard School of Dance, Drama, and Music in New York City. Other than Stage Stars, Serena is currently on faculty at Broadway Dance Center teaching jazz, yoga and floorbarre. In addition to this Miss Soffer practices and teaches yoga at The Laughing Lotus in New York City and had the wonderful opportunity to teach yoga for the summer program at The American Ballet Theatre in New York City. Performing Credits include The Broadway workshop and Original Cast of Footloose, Bernadette Peters Live at Radio City, Broadway Bares, Broadway workshop of Lone Star Love starring Jim Belushi, three years on the International Tour of Phantom of the Opera. Television credits include: Principal dancer on many national commercials such as Mattel Toys, McDonalds, Intel and E-Trade. She was also on ABC’s All My Children, as well as several episodes of Saturday Night Live as a Weekend Update Dancer with Dennis Miller, The Late Night Show with David Letterman, The Rosie O'Donnell Show and was cited as CNN's Spotlight Performer of the Week. She assisted Tony nominated and Emmy winner, AC Ciulla on many projects including the original company of the Broadway Production of Footloose. As a solo choreographer Serena’s credits include, ABC’s All My Children, Super Bowl 2006 Chevy Car Wash, Super Bowl 2006 Snickers, and Axe Body Spray Bomchickawawa, and platinum selling rock band, Panic! At The Disco. www.SerenaSoffer.com

Aimee Mitacchione, MA (Ballet Combo, Pointe) is the Professor of Dance, Artistic Director of the MCC Dance Ensemble, and the advisor to the Dance Club and Dance Team at Middlesex County College in Edison, NJ. Ms. Mitacchione’s dance experience spans 30 years. Her education includes a Master’s Degree in Dance in Higher Education and Administration from New York University; a BFA in Dance from Barat College, Illinois; summer intensives with the Jose Limon Dance Company; as well as numerous Illinois, NJ, Las Vegas, North Carolina, and NYC based dance institutions, national competitions and conventions which resulted in her being crowned Miss Dance Educators of America in 1991. She is a professional member of Dance New Jersey (DNJ) serving on the Education Committee, and also the National Dance Education Organization (NDEO) for which she has presented nationally. Ms. Mitacchione has also choreographed musicals for various NJ middle schools, high schools, and community theater productions. Performance credits: several regional musicals and modern dance concerts, guest artist for Trinity Irish Dance Company at the Milwaukee Opera House, dancer for MTV Asia music video featuring singer/artist Shoaa, member of the Montclair based Six Degrees Dance Company, and NYU Distinguished Faculty and Alumni Dance Concert 2003 dancer. In 2004 she performed in an interactive dance/music/media collaboration at the renowned Teatro Ariston in San Remo, Italy, choreographed by post-modern dance icon Douglas Dunn. From 2004-2005 was Artistic Director/Founder of Momento Dance Company, a professional modern-jazz based dance group. This summer she received her certification in Zumba!

Patricia Allende (Instructor 2 ½-4 yr old classes) is a seasoned performer, participating in various shows since the age of 5. Dance has always played a very large part in her performing arts background as well as in her heart. She has studied in many different styles like tap, jazz and hip-hop; just to name a few. Patricia’s love for the stage has also pushed her into the theater where her best credits include; Mae Peterson in Bye, Bye, Birdie and Sister Mary Clarence in another Stage Stars Production entitled Tunes of the Tube. Patricia is currently attending Kean University where she is majoring in Early Childhood Education and Performing Arts.

Emily Shah (Student Teacher, Instructor 2 ½- 4 yr old classes) is currently in 10th grade at Edison High School. She has been dancing for 14 years at various studios in NJ and for the last seven years has been studding with Miss Jamie. Emily has been a student at Stage Stars for give years and also has taught there for three years. Emily has trained in acting with the Lee Strasberg Film and Theater Institute, New York Film Academy, Madhumati Bollywood in India, Stage Stars and Wiest Barron. Emily loves to travel and is also a photographer. She is currently the reigning Miss Teen New Jersey- World! Emily can fluently speak Gujrati and Hindi.

Ashley Amberg (Student Teacher, Instructor 2 ½- 4 yr old classes) is twelve years old and is in 7th Grade at Thomas Jefferson Middle School. Ashley has been dancing since she was two years old. She has been a Company Member at Stage Stars for 5 years and loves to sing, act and dance. In her spare time, she also participates in the school choir, the school art club, and Edison Jets Cheerleading.