Cinderella

A Gorton Drama Studio Original Production

Join us for a lively, original take on Cinderella. Our young performers from Gorton Drama Studio’s Two-Week Musical Theater Camp bring it to life on stag.. Performances are on July 1 and 2 at 1pm.

Over two fast-paced weeks, these students trained like pros. They built skills in acting, singing and dancing. They learned discipline, teamwork and how to bring a full production together. Now they’re ready to perform.

Expect all the magic you love. The pumpkin and carriage. The fairy godmother. The royal ball. The glass slipper. Plus original music, comedy and heart. Every performer plays an important role, creating a vibrant ensemble from start to finish.

This production marks the culmination of their work. It’s their moment to take the stage at the John & Nancy Hughes Theater and perform for a live audience.

Every camper has a meaningful role in the story, making this performance a true celebration of creativity, collaboration, and the hard work of these young artists.

Creative Team

Jeremy Kruse – Producer, Playwright and Musical Director
Madison Kisst – Director
Carla Garippo – Choreographer
Matt Mueller – Songwriter
Matteo Picchietti – Production Assistant 

Meet The Gorton Drama Studio Creative Team

Jeremy Kruse, Artistic Director of Gorton Drama Studio is the author of “The Young Actor’s Handbook” (Applause Acting Series, 2017).The book was published in Korean and Chinese in 2022. Jeremy is a professional actor, published playwright, award-winning screenwriter, and award-winning filmmaker. Some of the classes he taught at The Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute in New York include Method Acting, Comedic Improvisation, Sketch Comedy Writing, and Acting for Film and TV. He graduated from The Strasberg Institute at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts where he majored in drama. Jeremy also teaches privately, one on one  www.jeremykruse.com and www.jeremykruseactingtraining.com 

Madison Kisst is a professional actor, director, and educator with extensive training in physical and classical theatre, voice and movement, and devising. Recently, she has served as the Fight/Intimacy director for Middle Tennessee State University’s production of Clue: On Stage and Nashville Repertory Theatre’s production of Sister Act. She has her BA in Theatre Arts from California State University Chico and Master of Fine Arts in Performance from the University of Nevada Las Vegas. Madison is a member of the performance faculty in the Department of Theatre and Dance at Middle Tennessee State University.

Matt Mueller is an actor, musician, former pirate, and part-time wizard. Outside GDS his most recent credits include Harry Potter and Cursed Child, and he’s excited to be back with the wonderful storytellers of Gorton Drama Studio after last summer in Neverland!!

Carla Garippo, dance teacher/choreographer, received her professional dance training from Ruth Page Center for the Arts and was a principal dancer of The Ruth Page Civic Ballet Company of Chicago. She is fluent in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip-Hop, Modern, Lyrical, Contemporary, Poms, Pointe, Musical Theatre, Stretch/Conditioning and Character. Some of Carla’s credits include: The Chicago Tribune Charities production of “The Nutcracker ” at The Arie Crown Theatre, Dirty Dancing, Carnaval at The Victor Hotel, Dance Chicago, MTVs Sweet 16, as well as various music videos and concerts nationwide. Carla teaches dancers of all ages and levels and is excited to be a staff member at Gorton Drama Studio.