YOUTH LEADERS

THE CORE TEAM

NATHAN PAGE

ACTOR

Nathan is 13 years old in the 8th grade at Cesar Batalla School. Nathan has been in the CYP program for 6 years. He came with his sister who was a participant at the time and was babysitting him. After weeks of watching he was needed to replace someone absent. The rest is history. He started out with small character parts in “Chasing Freedom”, “Annie, The Remix, “Lights Out”, and finally landed the lead part, Wyatt, in “Behind Closed Doors”. He played the lead for the theatrical version that was performed at Housatonic Community Performing Arts Center two years in a row. This past year during Covid he remained the lead part in the film version, Episode 1,2 and 3. Nathan says CYP helped him be less insecure and gain more confidence in himself.

MELANIE CORDOVA

DANCER, ACTOR, SINGER

Melanie is 18 years old and is a senior at Bassick High School. Melanie has grown up in the CYP program for 10 years. She started in elementary school, through middle school and now high school. She entered the program as a dancer, but now is an actor and singer. She appeared in “From Shades to Hollywood Lights”, “Rainy Blu,” Chasing Freedom”, “Holiday Show”, “Annie the Remix”, “Lights Out”, and snagged the lead part in “Behind Closed Doors”, Melanie also choreographed a main dance number in the show, “Behind Closed Doors”.CYP has been my home away from home. I was such a shy little girl always wanting to be in the back and everyone that I have met in the program has helped shape me into the person I am today. We are not just a program, we are a family.

MARIAH K. COTTO

DANCER, ACTOR

Mariah is 16 years old in the 10th grade at dBridgeport Military Academy and she is also in the Regional Center for the Arts. Mariah has also grown up in the program going on 10 years. Mariah entered the program in elementary school as a dancer and was in shows such as “Chasing Freedom”, Rainy Blu”, “Annie the Remix, “ “Holiday Show”, “Oscar Night” and landed the lead acting part in ,” Behind Closed Doors. She played the Mom for the theatrical version for 2 years at Housatonic Community Performing Arts Center and the same part for the film version, Episode 1, 2 and 3. CYP she claims has made her a better dancer and allowed her to make goals and achieve them every year.

JINANDRY FULGENCIO

SINGER, SONGWRITER

Jinandry is 19 years old and has been in the CYP program for 3 years. She came in as a singer for the development of “Behind Closed Doors'' Writing collaboratively with Mr. Detroy she wrote and performed the song, “ I Will Never Forget You”. She performed this song live at the Housatonic Community Performing Arts Center for two years and performed the film version most recently for Episode 1.She currently is piloting a songwriting program for the music department and she has been asked by the Sound Production to lay her vocals down in a recording studio for music producer, Steve Isaacs. She will attest to the CYP program,giving her a new found confidence with her singing.

NORRIS TATE

MUSICIAN, PRODUCER

Norris is 21 years old who is a musician under the direction of Mr. Matthew Detroy for 3 years and played bass for all rehearsals and shows for “Behind Closed Doors”. During Covid he worked with the music department in playing and producing 7 original songs and an overture for “Behind Closed Doors.”

JUNIOR YOUTH LEADERS

CRYSTAL CHANDLER

DANCER, ACTOR

Crystal is 12 years old and is in 7th grade at Capital Prep Harbor School. She has been in the CYP program for 4 years. Crystal in her first year snagged the role of “ice cream girl” in the theatrical show, “Behind Closed Doors.” She played this part for two years at Housatonic Community Performing Arts Center. She currently is a dancer in the film Episodes 1, 2, and 3. CYP has helped me gain confidence in acting.

DAYRA CAMPOVERDE LEMA

ACTOR, DANCER, DIRECTOR, WRITER

Dayra is 10 years old and is in the 5th grade at Black Rock School. She has been in CYP for 3 years. Dayre in her first year snagged a lead role, “Maddog” in the show “Behind Closed Doors”. She performed this role for two years at Housatonic Performing Arts Center. She has acted in smaller parts and danced in the film version of Episode 1, 2 and 3. Most recently she submitted her story on film with seven other contestants and won. She is currently working with the whole company in developing her story for film.

JERMAINE RICHARDS

ACTOR, DANCER, SINGER

Jermain is 11 years old and is in the 6th grade. He has been in the CYP program for 3 years. Jermain is a triple threat capable of acting, singing and dancing. He played supporting actor in the theatrical performances of “Behind Closed Doors” at Housatonic Performing Arts Center for two years. This past year he continues to use all his talents in the film version of Episode 1, 2 and 3. Jermain is thrilled that he has been included in all the dances and likes being in a group.

SARAH COBB

DANCER, JR. STYLIST

Sarah Cobb is 16 years old and is in the 11th grade at Bridge Academy. This is Sarah’s first year in the CYP program and she has just been named Jr. Stylist in the Styling Department. She has been a dancer for the film Episodes 1, 2 and 3. She claims that CYP has given her the opportunity to understand theater and experience new things around the performing arts.

STAFF