At Rising Stars, we don't just train performers — we grow humans.

Every child who walks through our doors brings something unique to the stage. And every season, we watch them surprise themselves — hitting a note they didn't think they could reach, delivering a line that stops the room, earning a standing ovation they'll never forget.

These are our kids. And we couldn't be more proud of what they've accomplished — on our stage, on stages across the region, and in life beyond the spotlight.

From Broadway World nominations to state arts competitions, from The Voice to Netflix — our alumni prove every single day that what starts in Sussex County can take you anywhere.

This page is dedicated to celebrating them. Every award. Every honor. Every moment they rose.

Broadway & TV:
Layla Capers, an early RSYTC alumna, rose to Broadway prominence, starring as Nala in The Lion King and Tomika in School of Rock. Her television credits include appearances on The Exorcist: Believer, Chupa, and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. Most recently, she landed the title role of Dee in Netflix's upcoming series 'Dee & Friends in Oz.'

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Broadway World Nominations - November 2022
Nominated for Best Overall Musical Production

Nominated for Best Director & Choreographer: Laura A. Rizzo

Best Performers in a Musical for Legally Blonde - November 2022:
  Samantha Kemp - Elle Woods
  Vincent Giacchi - Emmett Forrest
  Joshua Watson - Kyle O'Boyle 
  Bella Maza - Vivienne Kensington

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Award Winners & Recognitions:

Samantha Kemp - a RSYTC veteran, has built an impressive performance portfolio since joining in late 2017.
A Broadway World nominee for her portrayal of Elle Woods in Legally Blonde, she also earned the title of Miss Teen Hardyston in 2022. Her theatrical excellence continued with top 3 placements at Sussex Teen Arts in 2023, 2024 and 2025 - first for her solo work, then alongside her castmates as Mary Warren in The Crucible. She represented Sussex County at the NJ State Teen Arts Festival in May 2023, earning Distinguished and Advanced adjudication scores, and returned in June 2024 to receive high adjudication marks in Small Theatre | Drama.
We are thrilled to announce Samantha’s promotion to Director and Choreographer of our Junior Division.

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Emma Burke and Alexandra Perez, shone brightly at the 2024 Sussex County Teen Arts Festival.
Emma secured a top 3 placement in Small Theatre, while Perez was named Alternate in Small Vocal. Emma moved on to impress the judges at the NJ State Teen Arts Festival with her rendition of "The Moon and Me" from The Addams Family.

Marco Concha and Ava Tully also earned top recognition at the 2025 Sussex Teen Arts Festival and advanced to the NJ State Teen Arts Festival with their performance of “Hello Little Girl” from Into the Woods, receiving outstanding scores.


Mentions:
Laurel Brower, who played in Annie Jr in 2018, has built a diverse career in entertainment. Now working as both a model and actress, she showcases eyewear and fashion while appearing in television productions including Evil, Elisabeth, Evil Lives Here, and The Food That Built America.

Bella Maza who has been with RSYTC from 2018 to 2023, is currently attending DeSales University for Theatre.​

Julia Roome, who played Belle in our 2021 production of Beauty & The Beast Jr., went on to compete in The Voice, advancing to the Knockout Round in late 2023. Today, she performs her original music at venues along the East coast while pursuing her songwriting career.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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