RISING STARS YOUTH THEATRE CO.
A Broadway World nominated non-profit, committed to enhancing arts education
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MEET OUR BOARD & STAFF
Some board members have requested to stay anonymous
LAURA A. RIZZO Ed.D.
Executive Director | President
Ms. Rizzo is the Executive Director & President of RSYTC and has been performing since the age of 5. After college she toured with the American Ballet Theatre, and toured in several Broadway shows. In addition to performing in numerous shows both on and off Broadway she did print work and commercials and was a member of SAG and Actors Equity Association. She has been teaching, directing and choreographing for youth for over 36 years. Ms. Rizzo holds a doctorate degree in ESOL from Northcentral University, and most recently received a third masters degree in Educational Leadership graduating summa cum laude from Western New Mexico University. She also holds 2 other masters degrees in Educational Theatre, and Educational Dance from NYU, and a bachelor's degree in Dance/Theatre from Bard College. She is a certified Dance and Theatre teacher in N.J. She has directed/choreographed over 203 shows for children in both the U.S. and abroad.
Ms. Rizzo was just nominated for Best Choreography for The Addams Family at Bergenfield HS by BergenPAC for 2025!
Email: risingstarsytc@gmail.com
RENATA GINTER
VP Sales & Marketing |
Board of Directors
Renata is an experienced publishing professional with over 20 years of expertise. She is the owner of Socialize Marketing Co., providing marketing services to many clients including Rising Stars.
Earlier in her career, Renata had a passion for dance and performance. She toured as a teen with a dance troupe across the East Coast, and later spent 10 years teaching ballroom dancing at the prestigious Arthur Murray Dance Studio on 5th Avenue in NYC.
There, she coached celebrities like John Leguizamo (for Summer of Sam) and Antonio Banderas (for Mambo Kings).
Renata is also a published author, having written several books and magazines on Elvis Presley and contributed numerous articles to leading media publications, in the entertainment genre.
Leveraging her sales, marketing, and business development acumen, Renata excels at crafting compelling campaigns and stories. She brings extensive industry knowledge and creativity to Rising Stars.
Email: risingstarsytc2@gmail.com
LEONARDO LEUCI
Musical, Vocal & Band Director
Summer Intensives
Leo is our brilliant music and vocal director and an amazing pianist!
At just thirteen, he discovered his passion for accompanying singers, leading him to pursue music at New Jersey City University. His talent has graced prestigious venues like Weill Recital Hall and Steinway Hall.
When he's not working his magic at Rising Stars, he inspires young musicians as the choir director at Ridgefield Park Junior-Senior High School.
After bringing musical excellence to 2023's productions of Willy Wonka Jr. and The Addams Family in addition to 2024's Into the Woods and the Wizard of Oz Jr..
Rising Stars is proud to welcome Leo as a permanent fixture of our staff.
His dedication to bringing out the best in every young performer makes him an invaluable part of our Rising Stars family.
SAMANTHA KEMP
Co- Director & Choreographer
Junior Shows
Samantha started her stage career at the mere age of 10 and has performed in over 29shows since 2018.
Samantha has been a valued member of the Rising Stars Youth Theatre Company (RSYTC) family since 2018, making her debut as Tessie in "Annie Jr." Since then, she has not only continued to shine on stage, she has taken on the role of Stage Manager and Co-Choreographer, for our junior division and then Co-Director and Co-Choreographer.
Beyond her contributions to RSYTC, Samantha has also lent her talents to various other theatre groups. She was an active member of The Pope John Players and she played Kim MacAfee, in Bye Bye Birdie, her last high school production.
Samantha was nominated by Broadway World for Best Performer in a Musical 2021 for her role as Elle Woods in Legally Blonde; was crowned Miss Teen Hardyston 2022 and placed at the Sussex Teen Arts 2023, 2024 and 2025 for Small Theatre and went on to represent the county at the NJ State Teen Arts Festival in 2023 and 2024, where she received Distinguished and Advanced Adjudication scores.
This is Samantha's last year to perform with Rising Stars YTC- she will move on to co-direct and co-choreograph solely with Ms. Rizzo.
Academically, Samantha also has the brains, being an academic scholarship winner, and attending Pope John HS. She has also been accepted early and was offered the Presidential Scholarship to Ramapo College.