MEET OUR STAFF & BOARD MEMBERS

LAURA A. RIZZO ED.D.

Board President

Artistic Director

Ms. Rizzo has an Ed.D in ESOL from NCU, and  holds a Masters Degree in Educational Theatre from N.Y.U. as well as a bachelor's degree in drama and dance from Bard College. Ms. Rizzo has performed both on and off Broadway, worked at Radio City Music Hall and performed theatre all around the world. She toured with ABT dance company performing throughout Europe and has owned and operated several award winning youth theatre companies in the tri-state area. Miss Rizzo has directed and choreographed more than 186 shows winning both regional and national awards. Throughout her extensive career she has helped many of her students gain acceptance into some of the top musical theatre and dance schools in the country. Currently she has five students performing on Broadway. In addition to theatre, she is also Florida certified MS drama teacher at Miami Country Day School and a Professor of English and ESL at multiple colleges and Universities in the tri-state area. She is currently a masters candidate in Educational Leadership at Western New Mexico University. 

RENATA GINTER

Board Member | VP

Renata is a 20+ year publishing professional and the owner of Socialize Marketing Co. (marketing company for Rising Stars)
A published author of several books and magazines in the entertainment genre and a contributing writer to many entertainment publications.
As a teen Renata performed all over the east coast with a dance troupe and later taught ballroom dancing for 10 years with the Arthur Murray Dance Studio on 5th Avenue in NYC; where she taught celebrities like John Leguizamo and Antonio Banderas, before Dancing With the Stars ever existed!
Her forte is in sales, business development and marketing and she brings in a wealth of experience to Rising Stars.

Roshon Anthony Burton is a 21 year old current B.F.A musical Theatre major at Manhattanville College. He has been involved in theatre productions for the past 10 years. Getting his start at the Rising Stars Performing Arts Center. Roshon has recently done shows such as “A Grand Night for Singing”, “The Drowsy Chaperone”, as well as the upcoming Manhattanville production of “Brigadoon” this Fall. Along with theatre he has experience with various categories of the performing arts

ROSHON ANTHONY BURTON
Stage Manager

Majoring in music education at Rowan University, Blaze is setting the stage on fire - literally.
His parents are Broadway veterans, so theatre is in his blood.  Blaze has participated in musicals at his schools and with various theatre companies; both on stage as an actor and off, as a musical director.
Blaze will be working with Rising Stars for the 2021 summer camps.

BLAZE DALIO

Musical Director

Abby Bloch is 20 and is currently studying music technology at New York University. She spent four years on the high school stage for theatre as well as a guitarist in jazz ensemble and a member of chamber singers. She also has experience behind the scenes with lighting and as a backstage crew member and is looking forward to working with Rising Stars during summer 2021.

ABBY BLOCH

Assistant Stage Manager

Award Winning Choreographer and Actor, Christopher Riva, returns to the Rising Stars as artist in residence. With credits in 'West Side Story', 'Once on This Island', 'Sweet Charity' and many more including works with the AMAS Musical Theatre Company, Enact, Roundabout Theatre’s SPW and Various Shows with Gramercy, and traveled international on tour with Hairspray in Italy.

CHRIS RIVA
Choreographer