Your Premier Youth Theatre Destination.
A Broadway-World nominated theatre company for young performers.
OUR KIDS!
At Rising Stars Youth Theatre, we don't just train performers—we grow confident, capable humans. Every child who walks through our doors brings something unique to the stage.
Every season, we watch them surprise themselves—hitting a note they didn't think they could reach, delivering a line that stops the room, or earning a standing ovation they'll never forget.
These are our kids.
We couldn't be prouder of what they've accomplished on our stage, on screens across the nation, and in life beyond the spotlight. From Broadway stages and major network television to state-level arts honors, our alumni prove every single day that what starts in Sparta, NJ can take you anywhere.
Layla Capers (Broadway & Screen Alumna)
An early Rising Stars alumna, Layla rose to Broadway prominence starring as Young Nala in The Lion King and Tomika in School of Rock. Her television and film credits include The Exorcist: Believer, Chupa, and Law & Order: SVU, alongside landing the title role of Dee in Netflix's animated series Dee & Friends in Oz.
Julia Roome (NBC’s The Voice)
After starring as Belle in our production of Beauty and the Beast Jr., Julia competed on NBC’s The Voice, advancing to the Knockout Rounds. She now tours and performs her original music across the East Coast.
Samantha Kemp (RSYTC Veteran & Lead Director):
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 from Director and Choreographer of the Junior Division to the Director and Choreographer of Rising Stars Youth Theatre.
Broadway World Nominations - November 2022
Nominated for Best Overall Musical Production
Nominated for Best Director & Choreographer: Laura 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
TEEN ARTS:
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.
Olivia Edsall earned top recognition at the 2026 Sussex Teen Arts Festival and advanced to the NJ State Teen Arts Festival with her performance of “Little Girls” from Annie Jr., as a middle schooler, receiving outstanding scores.
HONORABLE 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, a core Rising Stars performer from 2018 through 2023, Bella turned her foundational youth training into a collegiate career, pursuing her Degree in Theatre at DeSales University.
