
MEET THE STAFF

Straight Show and Main Stage Musical Director
Thomas Mason
about Tom

Children's Show Director
Cherie Burns
about Cherie

Music Director-Main Stage Musical
Walter Webster
Walter A. Webster is currently the vocal music and drama director for the Commercial Township School District. During his 22 years at Commercial, he received Teacher of the Year during both the 2003-2004 and 2016-2017 school year. His productions and students have received awards and recognition at the Bucks County Playhouse Theatre Festival, the New Jersey local and state Teen Arts Festival and the Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star awards. During his 30 plus years in education, Walter is very proud to have had the privilege to teach students who are now published playwrights, artistic directors, choreographers, actors, and teachers of Theatre Arts. A graduate of Rowan University, he also studied at Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey where he was a member of the Westminster Symphonic Choir who performed with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. Walter is a passionate advocate for Arts Education for both children and adults. He currently serves as the Artistic Director of The Off Broad Street Players which is the resident theatre company of the Levoy Theatre. Walter recently received the NJACT Lifetime Achievement Award for his outstanding contribution to New Jersey Community Theatre.

Children's Show Music Director
Junior Burns
about Junior

Media/Marketing/Choreography
Brittany Hester
Brittany has been involved with Oakwood, off and on, for over 20 years. She started acting in 2001 in OST production of Annie and has since been involved in over 25 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 most recently Kathy Selden in Singin in the Rain. Brittany is trained in classical ballet and musical theatre with over 25 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.
"I love that Oakwood has stayed true to its community theatre style. It is truly a family formed through Salem County's community."

Art Design/Choreography
Amber Baratz
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.
"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."

Public Relations/House Manager
Cindy Wilson
Cindy has been involved with Oakwood Summer Theatre since 2018. She does the Salem County Cultural and Heritage Commission art grant for OST and assists with the ticket booth sales. She is a Pennsville resident where she is employed at the Township of Pennsville Code Office, Registrar of Vital Statistics and Planning Board Secretary for the past twenty-two years.
"I love watching a script come to life and become a beautiful and moving work of art."

Stage Construction/lights/sound
Ben Griffith
about Ben

Secretary
Sherri Murphy
Sherri has been a Board Member of Oakwood Summer Theatre since 2016 as Board Secretary and Former Children's Show Director. Her love for the theater started as a Red Devil Player back in high school. As Spring Drama Director at SCC Academy for almost 10 seasons, she was thrilled to instill her love of theater to a group of high school students, directing shows such as; You're a Good Man Charlie Brown, Annie Jr, Uncle Phils Diner - 1 and 2, Cheaper By the Dozen, Snoopy The Musical, Aladdin Jr, The Wizard of Oz and Peter Pan. She then had the opportunity to direct the children's show for Oakwood Summer Theatre for 3 seasons; Aladdin Jr, Mulan Jr and The Rockin Tale of Snow White. Sherri has also had the pleasure of being on the Oakwood Stage for 3 shows, Wizard of Oz (2000) ensemble, Wizard of Oz (2018) Miss Gulch and also A Christmas Carol in which her entire family was a part.
"The positive impact of theater in a young persons life is immeasurable!"

Stage Manager
Stacy Bachman
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. This is her 1st year as a Board member and her 3rd Year as Stage Manager for Oakwood.
"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."

Board Member
Andrew Fralinger
about Andrew

Board Member
Patty Fralinger
about Patty