MEET THE STAFF

Piper is so excited for her first summer with Oakwood! She’s had a passion for being on stage since she was 3 years old as a dancer at Chez Dance Studio and has also performed in various musical productions. Some of her favorite past roles are Adelaide (Guys and Dolls), Audrey (Little Shop of Horrors), Cassie (A Chorus Line), Leading Player (Pippin), and Jo March (Little Women The Musical). More recently, Piper dipped her toes into the other side of theatre and directed/choreographed her first production, Guys and Dolls. When Piper isn’t on stage you can find her teaching dance classes at her studio and working as an Account Executive at Graham Media Partners. Piper is thrilled to bring her passion for performing and her creative energy to Oakwood this summer.

Cherie has been around Oakwood since her family became involved in the 80's. She personally got involved in 1997 after years of participating in her high school drama productions under the direction of Tom Mason. She did a number of straight shows and musicals until taking a break when starting her family in 2005. Then her children were introduced to Oakwood when they were old enough to participate in the children’s show, in which they have been participating since. She became the Children's Show Director in 2022. Cherie is a wife and busy mother of 4 very involved children. She is also a Biology teacher in Pennsville HS where she serves as Science Fair advisor and a class advisor. 

"I Love connecting with the community, meeting new people and staying a part of my love of theater."

About Katie

Stacy has been with Oakwood since 2007. She started with the Children’s show, then went on to do the Main Stage Musicals and Plays. Stacy is also involved with the Blue Moon Theater in Woodstown. She is our current Straight Show director and has been Stage Manager since 2019. You will also find Stacy as part of our onstage cast. Stacy joined the board in 2023.

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"I love the family feel of Oakwood and seeing my friends every summer, as well as seeing new faces and faces that left but came back after a few years."

Dana Mae Gayner, soprano, is a lifelong resident of Salem, NJ. She began her formal training in singing at the age of 9, and continued her study of music through high school and college, earning a B.A. in voice from Westminster Choir College of Rider University. Since 2003, Dana has enjoyed teaching private vocal lessons to students as young as 9 years old, and as young at heart as 90 years old. She owns, manages, and teaches private voice lessons and Kindermusik classes at The Manningon Music School.

Brittany has been involved with Oakwood, off and on, for over 25 years. She started acting in 2001 in OST production of Annie and has since been involved in over 35 shows between Oakwood and High School Productions as choreographer in some shows and in other shows with lead roles such as Adelaide in Guys and Dolls, Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors, and Kathy Selden in Singin in the Rain. Brittany is trained in classical ballet and musical theatre with over 30 years experience. She was also a cast member in the entertainment department for the Walt Disney World company. She has six years of media and marketing experience from being a media specialist at a private school. Brittany has been a board member since 2020. 

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"I love that Oakwood has stayed true to its community theatre style. It is truly a family formed through Salem County's community."

Amber has been involved with Oakwood since 2018. Amber paints all our sets. Her passion for art started at a young age and runs her small business drawing and painting custom commissions such as portraits and pet portraits. Amber is also our children's show choreographer. She has taken dance classes since 2010 in ballet, jazz, hip-hop, tap and musical theatre. You will also find Amber as part of our onstage cast. Amber has been a board member since 2022.

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"I love working with the children's show. It really allows the kids to find their love of both theatre and creativity as a whole." 

about Ben

Lynda has been part of the Oakwood family since 2017 when her daughter performed in The Little Mermaid. She has always lent a helping hand where ever she could  with any show that needed it. She loves helping people and the community, which is her reason for choosing her career as a nurse. She continues to help where ever she is needed and is also our Concessions Committee Chair. You may also see her crafts at the concessions table as well! Her love of crafting began when she was a kid in the summer time down in Rehoboth with her aunt. She has been a board member since 2024. 

Jay has been a part of the Oakwood family since 2017 when his daughter performed in The Little Mermaid. Since 2021 he has offered his knowledge and carpentry skills to help with sets and is now our Master Carpenter. Jay's interest in carpentry began at age 13 when he would help his dad with drywall. When he retired in 2021 he really started working in his shed building things. He has been a board member since 2024. 

Mike Russell has been a proud director at the Blue Moon Theatre since 2023. With a passion for storytelling and bringing characters to life, he has helmed productions such as Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, The Rocky Horror Show, Arsenic and Old Lace, and Little Shop of Horrors. Mike thoroughly enjoyed collaborating with the talented cast and crew of this production. He would like to extend his heartfelt thanks to his wife and supportive family, whose encouragement and love make his work in theater possible.