An Old-Fashioned Christmas Performers

Jeff Brewster is a professional cheerleader, choreographer, and announcer for the National Cheerleaders Association and National Dance Alliance. He has performed in the 1996 Olympics Opening Ceremonies, and his voice can be heard most recently in the Netflix show "Cheer". He has been performing locally and regionally for over 30 years.

Karuss is a local musician who has appeared in numerous productions around the Tri-State area with groups including City Stage, Presby Players, and American Readers Theatre. Throughout quarantine, she has taken the time to write and record an album with her soft-rock band, Carver + Selear. She hopes that this virtual show helps to bring you lots of holiday cheer!

Timothy Cortes has been onstage singing and acting since he was 11 years old. He has performed in classics such as Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory, Fiddler on the Roof, Mary Poppins and Peter Pan. Timothy is part of the Presby Players, Forestburgh Playhouse, Dingmans Theater and American Readers Theater. He is looking forward to 2021 and performing in front of a live audience again.

Paige is a high school sophomore in Milford, PA. She has been studying musical theater for 2 years, and has worked with American Readers Theatre, Presby Players, and Miami Children's Theatre. Paige is mostly inspired by the sound and style of the 50s and 60s. She would like to thank her friends and family for being supportive of her passion for music.

Ruth Hadley has been performing for over forty years. She was a private voice teacher for twenty of those years, and in three rock bands for fifteen of them. She writes as well as performs, and has collaborated on projects with several musicians, including our own Sandy Stalter. She has enjoyed being a part of the Presby Players and American Readers Theatre family since 2013.

Sarah Hawthorne is so excited to be a part of another show with the American Readers Theatre. Sarah plans to go back to school in the fall for acting. She is pursuing a career in film and television and currently teaches at Curtis Jaeger Entertainment.

Curtis Jaeger is a recent graduate of Montclair State University's Musical Theatre department. His professional performing credits include Cedar Point Live E!, Interlakes Summer Theatre, Forestburgh Playhouse, as well as Balance Dance Company in Philadelphia PA. He presently owns and teaches music, theatre, and dance at Curtis Jaeger Entertainment in Milford as well as at Noteworthy Academy of Music in New Jersey. He is happy to return to American Readers Theatre to perform in the Christmas special. Curtis is currently represented by Bonafide Artists, a commercial agency in NYC. CurtisJaeger.com IG:@CurtisJaeger

Mia Mesnick Is no stranger to the theater. She has been performing locally for 5 years. Her most memorable roles are Maria in her school production of The Sound of Music, playing Tessie and Understudy to Annie at the Forestburgh Playhouse, as well as singing with The Presby Players in Port Jervis. Mia has also performed with Camp Broadway in NYC in The Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade, in Rocktopia with Chloe Lowery, and opened for The Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Mia credits her accomplishments to endless support from her family as well as Jeffrey Stocker and Sandy Stalter. She hopes everyone enjoys the show and has a wonderful holiday season!!!

Taylor is a high school freshman in Port Jervis, NY. Since third grade, she has participated on many productions, both in school and local theater companies. In her spare time, she enjoys singing, and playing her guitar and piano.

Sandy McAleer has performed as a singer, pianist and actress on stages all across the country, from Las Vegas to New York City, and in many a recording studio; if you are over the age of 40, you may have heard her singing some of your favorite jingles! Recent roles: Nanny Andrews in Mary Poppins; Cinderella’s Stepmother in Into the Woods; Mrs. Pennywise in Urinetown; Dottie Otley in Noises Off!; Muriel Eubanks in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels; Sister Mary Lazarus in Sister Act. Proud member of Actors Equity since 1973. www.sandymcaleer.net.

Braeden is a Junior at Port Jervis High School who has performed in many productions with the Presby Players, SCDW, Port Jervis Drama Club, EPAC, The Forestburgh Playhouse, and The American Readers Theater. He started Presby years ago, and always comes back; it is important, and has become a second home to him. The Christmas show was always his favorite, and he would like to thank Jeffrey and Sandy for making sure it could happen this year, no matter the circumstances!

Donna and Charlie are a husband/wife musical duo from Sandyston, NJ. They have performed all over the tri-state area doing their own eclectic musical thing. Two times in a row winners at the Sussex County Farm and Horse Show. They are both long-time members of Jeffrey Stocker's adult acting class, American Readers Theatre, and Presby Players.

Kris is a recent graduate of Wilkes University where he recieved a BFA in Musical Theatre. Credits include Joe in Spitfire Grill and Father Flynn in Doubt at Wilkes University. He also recently understudied the role of Fector in Dogfight at the Eagle Theatre. Kris started working with Jeffrey Stocker and the Presby Players in high school and is glad to be back! He would like to thank his family for their unending support. You can follow Kris on Instagram @Kris_tjornhom.

Patrick is one of nine children. His father was a doctor, and mother a nurse. He pursued seminary studies at the Pontifical College Josephinum but was not ordained. He received a BS in Electrial Engineeriing, and a Masters in General Psychology. Patrick enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1947, and spent seven years in Intelligence, serving in the Far East, Central America and the Presidential Squadron when Truman and Eisenhower were President. He was commissioned as Electronics Officer in the USAF and served 13 years on Guam, Korea and the Air Force Manned Orbiting Lab. Patrick spent 25 years as a white water river guide in the Pacific Northwest, Yukon and Alaska, and now works as an actor and board member in the Port Jervis Presby Players.