In Memoriam: Rosemarie Callahan was the President and Artistic Director of the Staten Island Children's Theatre until her passing in September of 2022. She was the Director of our 9-18 Year Old program, for 36 years. Under her direction, the theater produced over 100 productions and workshops for children ages five through eighteen.  A veteran community theater actress, Rosemarie was a theatre major at Wagner College and went on to perform multiple leading roles in all of the Island's top theater venues. Rosemarie's family is rooted in theater, and continues with both her husband Ed, and daughters Melissa and Katherine. Rosemarie was recently a 2015 recipient of the Captain Randall Community Service Award at the Neptune Ball at Snug Harbor Cultural Center for her continued service for the youth of Staten Island, a winner of the 2015 Minty Award for Community Enrichment and a 2022 inductee into the Moore Catholic High School Hall of Fame.  Rosemarie's legacy will continue on in her beloved family and SICTA alumni "With a song on my lips...".

Melissa is our SICTA Program Coordinator and teaches all age levels. She is proud to continue her mother, Rosemarie's legacy for the youth of Staten Island. A graduate of New York University, where studied both Early Childhood and Elementary Education and Educational Theatre, Melissa creates curriculum in creative drama and musical theater performance. A veteran classroom teacher and a lifelong performer, Melissa has appeared in many productions across the Island since the age of seven. Melissa is now in her 28th year of directing with SICTA, where she has directed over 50 productions. 

Billy is a proud SICTA alumni, who has appeared in productions regionally, nationally and internationally. After attending Boston Conservatory for Musical Theatre, Billy went on to appear in leading roles across the NY & Tri-State area, and then joined the North American tour with Troika Entertainment's Jesus Christ Superstar as Dance Captain, followed by originating the role of Bobby C in Saturday Night Fever, for Royal Carribbean Cruise Lines. Billy has been the resident teacher/director/choreographer for many years with the Staten Island Children's Theatre, most recently as Director of our Grades 4-12 Program.

Elbi Cespedes has been a part of SICTA since he was 11 years old.  Now a SAG-AFTRA/AEA actor, Elbi has gone on to perform professionally all over the country. Some of his credits include leading the world premiere of a new musical FOCUS in Boise, Idaho, Sonny in In the Heights at Arts Center of Coastal Carolina in Hilton Head Island, SC, and most recently as Ted Holiday in Holiday Inn at Mill Mountain Theatre in Roanoke, VA.  He's a proud SICTA alum who hopes to inspire the current generation of students to feel empowered through performing, just as he felt when he was a child in SICTA. Elbi holds a degree in Theatre Performance from Wagner College. 

Kirsten is a New York City based actress who grew up attending SICTA. She is thrilled to be back teaching at her favorite place. Kirsten has been performing in regional theaters across the country. Recently, she was in the the World Premiere of Time Stops the musical and recorded its original cast album (to be released soon). Some of her favorite recent roles include Molly (Ghost) and April (Company).  Kirsten is a graduate of Wagner College with a degree in Theatre Performance. 

Katie started her career in theatre, performing on Staten Island and then went on to perform professionally in shows such Broadway: Gypsy with Patti LuPone, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and Billy Elliot (National Tour). Katie is honored to come back to her roots, choreographing for SICTA alongside lifelong colleagues and friends. Katie is currently the choreographer for our Performing Arts Co. and a teacher for our Rising Stars.

Lee Tennenbaum is very excited to be joining the SICTA staff, many of whom she has known since she was small!  Lee is a performer, choreographer, and an early education teacher who has grown up in the Staten Island Theatre community. She holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from Emerson College and a Masters in Education from Brooklyn College. Lee has performed both locally and regionally since she was 9 years old. Most importantly, she is the mom of two wonderful daughters who have both performed on the SICTA stage! Lee is a teacher for Rising Stars in Spring 2024!

John has worked as musical director of SICTA for over 35 years.  He graduated from Queens College with a BA in Music Education and from CUNY Graduate School with an MA and Masters of Philosophy in musicology.  He taught at Tottenville HS for 37 years before retiring in 2016. He has played in many Staten Island productions and was musical director for all shows at Tottenville High School for over 20 years.  He is proud to still be working with Melissa and Billy, two people he taught in their youth.